35000 miles Maintenance !!!

[Georghino]

What do I really need to replace in my car at 35000? I've been told so many things in so many different shops that I thought I would ask here before I spend my money doing something that my car doesn't really need. Some people tell me that my car doesn't need a tune up but a maintenance instead. Something that I've noticed is that my car it's being using a lot of gas lately and I've seen the SES light flash a couple times. That's telling that my car is past due for a tune up/maintenance.
I searched and I found so many different things that I would rather hear it again first hand. I am planing on having that done this weekend. I don't want to wait any longer.
Thanks for your help,

[98_birdman]

Look in the back of your service manual it should tell you. But if your car is using a lot of gas heres what to check...

-Spark plugs(are they fouled, covered with oil or maybe cracked)

-Wires (just replace them)

-Coil packs (use your new wires to see if you get spark from each and every post)

-O2 sensors(probably time to change them, they'll hurt your mileage sometimes, better of to change them when you're doing everything else)

-Fuel filter (its probably fairly clogged by now)

-Clean your injectors (i use seafoam...i dont trust other companies for this)

-Tranny fluid (just check it..make sure its full and doesnt look too dark in color...might want to replace it anyways to be safe)

[MustangEater8251]

I woudl skip 02s... they should last you 50-100k easily, unless you been running something wierd through he motor.

What I would do...

Go to autozone, whereever, get the SES code scanned for free, some places can check past history, some places, need the light on and shining for them to register. So if it goes on and off all the time when it goes on, drive in, take your door key off your ring, park the car, leave car on lock doors leaving the car running get the guy to scan the car while its on, if he says he can't ask him to do it anyways just to try.

Get the code. See what it is(do not be too surpised if its a misfir or your cat your CAT, mine went out ~37k) IF your car is stock and its your cat, or you can make it stock pretty easily(change your intake, etc...) take it to the dealer and they will replace it for free, I believe exhaust and emissions is under warranty for 7years, 70k miles. I got mine replaced for free.

but things you will need to do regardless

-Plugs/wires, read this thread for some ideas and people have had problems and experiences with.
http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78028
Its boring but has some good info, to prevent future problems. When you get plug wires I suggest checking out www.ftpp.net they have some good deals on plug wires for our cars.

-Fuel filter, if its never been done

-air filter if its paper, hold it up to the sun if you cannot see through it you need a new one.

-Some say its early, but may wanna consider rear diff fluid, and tranny fluid(search for what people suggest.

-seafoam, I did it just recently helped my car out a bit(I did it at 43,500)

-check your brake rotors and pads, some people needed brakes at 20k, I am on originals with 43k, they aren't great but no horrid.

-Check your tires if the tread is good

-check your brake fluid, should be clear, Mine is cooked black and green at 43k(but I am rough on brakes)

-If you have a 5-speed check your clutch fluid, same as brake fluid(mine was cooked too, I swapped that made a big difference on my clutch

-Some sort of fuel injector cleaner, I would use seafoam for this too.


That should about cover it for the most part. Do a few searches on these things if you have more questions that aren't answered there don't be too shy to post here or just in the gen tech forum.