Looking at the maintenance schedule of a car, what maintenance can you do yourself?

[Gunnerheadboy]

Rather than have a shop do it. For the Toyota Matrix, this is what's recommended for the next service. (http://xws.xtime.com/xmmmenu/?variant=TCI&username=null&is_advisor=0&locale=en_CA&rendering_option=2&print_menu_report=/XTIME1/REPORTS/PrintMenu/PCN&make=TOYOTA&model=MATRIX&year=2009&trim=UNKNOWN&engine_type=4&engine_size=1.8L&drive_type=FWD&transmission_type=Automatic&mileage=110000&units=km&estimate=false)

Which ones can I do at home vs. the shop? For example I can confirm the horn and lights working perfectly, but I take my car in to get an oil change.

Thoughts? Do I even need to do half of these stuff?

Thanks.

[IMWHFMPC]

Dude

You can do everything by yourself. But as you are asking on here i doubt you know how to do them, so what do you really want us to help you with?

[Kunman]

While it is true that you can do all the maintenance, given your knowledge of the car and your selection of tools.

I think op is asking for some maintenance that are easy to learn/perform with cheap and everyday tools.

I love cars, but, I only know general info about auto mechanical parts.

From the top of my head: Oil and oil filter change, and some other fluid change.

However I would consider leaving the vital parts like the brakes and tires to the pros.

[Gunnerheadboy]

While it is true that you can do all the maintenance, given your knowledge of the car and your selection of tools.

I think op is asking for some maintenance that are easy to learn/perform with cheap and everyday tools.

I love cars, but, I only know general info about auto mechanical parts.

From the top of my head: Oil and oil filter change, and some other fluid change.

However I would consider leaving the vital parts like the brakes and tires to the pros.

This is what I meant. Thanks! I'm thanking also the air filter. For the lubricating the hinges and parts, do I use the WD-40.

[someone16]

This is what I meant. Thanks! I'm thanking also the air filter. For the lubricating the hinges and parts, do I use the WD-40.

Use silicone spray. You can buy it in home depot or canadian tire.

[nobb]

Use silicone spray. You can buy it in home depot or canadian tire.

+1. Or you can buy a tube of synthetic grease and manually put it on. WD-40 is NOT a lubricant.

[001Stunna]

You can change oil and filter yourself..as long as you have a jack, 2 jack stands, a pan to catch the old oil in.
(You can get a torque wrench if you do not trust your hands in tightening the drain plug)

You can remove and inspect air filter. You can replace it if you want to. (should be rather easy and not need much description to it)

You can lubriate all locks/hinges with silicone spray or use a spray called Fluid Film if you want to go a bit more costly

You can check all fluid levels(by making sure car is parked in level ground and checking appropriate dip sticks) and brake pad wear(if you take the wheels off)

You can check your battery and charging system using a voltmeter.

You can inspect drive belts for damage and make sure they're still on tight

You might want to take the car for the dealer to inspect valve clearances as it might not be comfortable for you.

You can check shocks/dampers for leakage by jacking each corner up, lifting up the rubber bellow and looking for leaks.

You can check tierods, balljoints, wheel bearings by grabbing the wheel at 9/3 and 12/6 and checking for play while the wheel is in the air.

You can examine brake lines and gas lines for rust issues or leaks by getting under the car as its supported by jack stands (not just a jack)

You can inspect exhaust system for holes etc by getting under the car

You can check and adjust tire pressure and use a tread gauge to check that tread depth is pretty even across the tire

[Gunnerheadboy]

You can change oil and filter yourself..as long as you have a jack, 2 jack stands, a pan to catch the old oil in.
(You can get a torque wrench if you do not trust your hands in tightening the drain plug)

You can remove and inspect air filter. You can replace it if you want to. (should be rather easy and not need much description to it)

You can lubriate all locks/hinges with silicone spray or use a spray called Fluid Film if you want to go a bit more costly

You can check all fluid levels(by making sure car is parked in level ground and checking appropriate dip sticks) and brake pad wear(if you take the wheels off)

You can check your battery and charging system using a voltmeter.

You can inspect drive belts for damage and make sure they're still on tight

You might want to take the car for the dealer to inspect valve clearances as it might not be comfortable for you.

You can check shocks/dampers for leakage by jacking each corner up, lifting up the rubber bellow and looking for leaks.

You can check tierods, balljoints, wheel bearings by grabbing the wheel at 9/3 and 12/6 and checking for play while the wheel is in the air.

You can examine brake lines and gas lines for rust issues or leaks by getting under the car as its supported by jack stands (not just a jack)

You can inspect exhaust system for holes etc by getting under the car

You can check and adjust tire pressure and use a tread gauge to check that tread depth is pretty even across the tire

Thanks so much :)! Looks like it might be a good idea to buy the silicon spray and jack set from Crappy Tire when it's on sale. I think I'll visit Costco for the oil change since it's so cheap, pretty much the cost of oil and filter from CT.

[ottofly]

You can change oil and filter yourself..as long as you have a jack, 2 jack stands, a pan to catch the old oil in.
(You can get a torque wrench if you do not trust your hands in tightening the drain plug)

You can remove and inspect air filter. You can replace it if you want to. (should be rather easy and not need much description to it)

You can lubriate all locks/hinges with silicone spray or use a spray called Fluid Film if you want to go a bit more costly

You can check all fluid levels(by making sure car is parked in level ground and checking appropriate dip sticks) and brake pad wear(if you take the wheels off)

You can check your battery and charging system using a voltmeter.

You can inspect drive belts for damage and make sure they're still on tight

You might want to take the car for the dealer to inspect valve clearances as it might not be comfortable for you.

You can check shocks/dampers for leakage by jacking each corner up, lifting up the rubber bellow and looking for leaks.

You can check tierods, balljoints, wheel bearings by grabbing the wheel at 9/3 and 12/6 and checking for play while the wheel is in the air.

You can examine brake lines and gas lines for rust issues or leaks by getting under the car as its supported by jack stands (not just a jack)

You can inspect exhaust system for holes etc by getting under the car

You can check and adjust tire pressure and use a tread gauge to check that tread depth is pretty even across the tire


^^^What he said above.

You can pretty much find step by step videos of all the above with a search on YT. For an oil change on a Matrix make sure you put the O-ring supplied with the filter in the right place on the filter cartridge if you plan to change it yourself otherwise you will lose all your oil on the road.

[001Stunna]

Thanks so much :)! Looks like it might be a good idea to buy the silicon spray and jack set from Crappy Tire when it's on sale. I think I'll visit Costco for the oil change since it's so cheap, pretty much the cost of oil and filter from CT.

Princess Auto has a low profile 3.5ton jack on sale for 120$. Jackstands you can shop around for at either CT or PS or wherever. Im actually planning on picking it(the jack) up since the CT jack wont fit under the car anymore without driving up on 2x4s.

As for oil changes, what i do if i do not have the time to do it myself outside is take MY oil and MY filter to a shop i trust. Usually end up paying anywhere from 10-15$ for the job and get to look/walk under the car inspecting things as the oil is draining. In the long run the oil change costs me 10-15(labor) + 10(Castrol Oil bought on boxing day) + 5(Wix Filters bought from RA.com) = 25-30$ and i know im using decent oil and a good filter.

[Gunnerheadboy]

Princess Auto has a low profile 3.5ton jack on sale for 120$. Jackstands you can shop around for at either CT or PS or wherever. Im actually planning on picking it(the jack) up since the CT jack wont fit under the car anymore without driving up on 2x4s.

As for oil changes, what i do if i do not have the time to do it myself outside is take MY oil and MY filter to a shop i trust. Usually end up paying anywhere from 10-15$ for the job and get to look/walk under the car inspecting things as the oil is draining. In the long run the oil change costs me 10-15(labor) + 10(Castrol Oil bought on boxing day) + 5(Wix Filters bought from RA.com) = 25-30$ and i know im using decent oil and a good filter.

Wouldn't a synthetic oil be better in the long run?

[001Stunna]

Wouldn't a synthetic oil be better in the long run?

If you want to go with synthetic then go with it.
I bought my car used with 126000km in 2007. Been using castrol gtx(white bottle) 5w30 in it ever since so FOR ME i see no point in switching to synthetic at 126000km or now at 240000km.

Im assuming your car is fairly new; so find a synthetic oil you like and use it. I believe many preach on Mobil 1/Castrol Edge. However to my belief, as long as you change your oil and filter regularly as required...oil is oil.

[Gunnerheadboy]

If you want to go with synthetic then go with it.
I bought my car used with 126000km in 2007. Been using castrol gtx(white bottle) 5w30 in it ever since so FOR ME i see no point in switching to synthetic at 126000km or now at 240000km.

Im assuming your car is fairly new; so find a synthetic oil you like and use it. I believe many preach on Mobil 1/Castrol Edge. However to my belief, as long as you change your oil and filter regularly as required...oil is oil.

Very true. The car is actually new... to us. Bought it at 100,000KM. So I'm looking to make sure the engine be as 'healthy' as possible for long time.

Bonus question: if the warranty that it offered through used car dealerships worth it?

[001Stunna]

Very true. The car is actually new... to us. Bought it at 100,000KM. So I'm looking to make sure the engine be as 'healthy' as possible for long time.

Bonus question: if the warranty that it offered through used car dealerships worth it?

It actually came with my car for 200$ more. I tried to use it once and they kept coming up with some BS story about how this is an exception and not covered bla bla bla(I was asking them to replace the 2nd and 3rd clutch pressure switches ($100 cost for both) as the car threw the code 2 days after driving it home and clearly the dealer had just reset the CEL light before handing the car over to me) . I considered it $200 down the drain and just threw the pamphlet away.
Dealer for me was "Bell Auto" Owners names were Cameron and Alex.

[Gunnerheadboy]

It actually came with my car for 200$ more. I tried to use it once and they kept coming up with some BS story about how this is an exception and not covered bla bla bla(I was asking them to replace the 2nd and 3rd clutch pressure switches ($100 cost for both) as the car threw the code 2 days after driving it home and clearly the dealer had just reset the CEL light before handing the car over to me) . I considered it $200 down the drain and just threw the pamphlet away.
Dealer for me was "Bell Auto" Owners names were Cameron and Alex.

Wow... I bought it with my last used car in '07 and I never used it, $500 wasted, so I think I'll skip it. Also, does the cost of tire change the quality and usability? For example $600 taxes in at Costco vs. $400 Wal-mart tires?

[001Stunna]

Wow... I bought it with my last used car in '07 and I never used it, $500 wasted, so I think I'll skip it. Also, does the cost of tire change the quality and usability? For example $600 taxes in at Costco vs. $400 Wal-mart tires?

Are you comparing the same tire brand, model, size?

[IMWHFMPC]

Wow... I bought it with my last used car in '07 and I never used it, $500 wasted, so I think I'll skip it. Also, does the cost of tire change the quality and usability? For example $600 taxes in at Costco vs. $400 Wal-mart tires?

For tires, I would highly recommend you go to a dedicated tire shops, as they would be able to give you the best suggestion and deal on the tires. Don't go to Costco or walmart. Sadly you are in Ottawa, otherwise I can give you some good stores like SimplyTire and Tire23, both are very honest and reputable. The cost of a tire, you get what you pay for, usually more expensive = more grip (ultra high performance tires) = more road noise. In my opinion, a good tire has good traction in wet and dry, also low road noise. They are usually in the 400-450$ range for four tires on a Matrix if you get it done in the shops i mentioned above.

[IMWHFMPC]

There is a forum specifically for the Toyota Matrix, many Matrix owners go there. You will get more in depth info regarding your specific model, you will see DIY on oil changes, transmission fluid change etc.

[Gunnerheadboy]

Hi - I remember you were shopping for a car, what car did you end up getting?

001Stunnas post is very good, Im going to have to do some of those things too.

Dont buy any warranty from a used car dealer on a 100k used car. Its like paying in advance for things that may not happen. And the dealer wont just service your car no questions asked like factory warranty, I bet lots of things would be excluded or some other catch such as this or that falls into maintenance and not covered. Just pay for the repairs as needed and keep the condition maintained.

Hey, I got a 2009 Matrix for 8800 pre tax. I had it inspected by mechanic and talked about the price, so I'm 90 percent sure I'm getting it. The only thing left to do is pay for it, got the safety and emissions done and drive it home. So I'm excited and nervous with all my questions haha. I think I'll skip the warranty.

As for the tires, the ones I'm comparing aren't the same Perilli vs General Tire or some other cheesy sounding brand.

[Gunnerheadboy]

Are you comparing the same tire brand, model, size?

Nope, Perilli vs General Tire. Through what people say and some Googling, the more expensive (the better brand) the better the quality and driveability. So many questions... Sorry!

[boyohboy]

Nope, Perilli vs General Tire. Through what people say and some Googling, the more expensive (the better brand) the better the quality and driveability. So many questions... Sorry!

Go to Tirerack.com, and look at all the tires' user survey and tests. Different tires make a big difference in your car's performance, dont' skim on it too much. At the end of the day, the only part of your car that that touches the ground is your tires, nothing else.

Besides, aside from performance issues (grip, noise etc), cheaper tires are most likely made with cheaper compound which will wear out faster than high quality tires. So they maybe cheaper to start with, but if they need replacement more often, it won't end up being so cheap.

[001Stunna]

Nope, Perilli vs General Tire. Through what people say and some Googling, the more expensive (the better brand) the better the quality and driveability. So many questions... Sorry!

For summer assuming you're not doing any crazy spirited driving...pick up some decent tires with good wet drive-ability.
Pirelly P4 seem to rank pretty decent and available in your size. However shop around through local tire stores (ie SimplyTire) and see what they suggest to you.

For winter, id suggest general altimax arctics 100%.

[IMWHFMPC]

Currently using Pirelli P4 in my mom's car, Yokohama Avid Touring S on my dad's car.

Both are superior.
They both cost 400-450 tax in.

[Gunnerheadboy]

Sounds good - thanks a nice car, good price congrats. The hatch is very versatile...

Certainly dont cheap out on good tires. Dont buy crap tires from Walmart or the CanadianTire house brand or whatever.

Thanks! The price is good but because it's higher mileage, but the car is real clean and good otherwise.

And thank you all for the replies about the tires, I'll visit a tire shop and look around.

[poedua]

Thanks! The price is good but because it's higher mileage, but the car is real clean and good otherwise.

And thank you all for the replies about the tires, I'll visit a tire shop and look around.

No need.

There are 3 or 4 tire shops here on RFD that are very good.

Just get their e-mail and do it via e-mail - i.e. tell 'em your year, make & model of vehicle, driving habits, budget and ask for 3 or 4 tire recommendations of tires ranging from good ones to their best ones.

[Gunnerheadboy]

No need.

There are 3 or 4 tire shops here on RFD that are very good.

Just get their e-mail and do it via e-mail - i.e. tell 'em your year, make & model of vehicle, driving habits, budget and ask for 3 or 4 tire recommendations of tires ranging from good ones to their best ones.

Thanks! But it seems like most are directed to Toronto shoppers.

[poedua]

Thanks! But it seems like most are directed to Toronto shoppers.

Doesn't necessarily matter....you're simply asking for recommendations.

However, if that's an issue..then just e-mail tire shops in your area.

[Warped]

If you're looking for tire recommendations and don't know where to start, you could pick up a copy of consumer's report to see which tires did well in their testing.
Of course what they rank is not the final word, but it'll give you a better idea of some models to keep on your shopping radar.


As for simple maintenance, I would love to change the oil in my car myself, but have been too afraid to do it incase I mess up (both the car and the driveway).
I wish I knew a mechanic friend who could just show me instead of watching it on youtube...