C5 preventative maintenance
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20
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From: Chicago area
C5 preventative maintenance
I have a 1999 C5 convertible, 6 spd. Bought it in 2004. Car has 21k miles. I put 1k - 2k per year. Garaged kept and stored winters. Runs great always. Only mods are Blackwing intake, Borla exhaust and dyno tune. I change the oil every year, clean the Blackwing and dress the weather stripping. I feel like I should be doing something else. Car is 12 years old now. Tires have plenty of tread but are 7 years old. Ideas? Things to watch for?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
at 7 years, the tires are reaching pretty close to the end of their safe lifetime. even though you may have had them for 7 years, more than likely they were already "old" when you bought them. there is a date code on the inside sidewall of the tire that will tell you the date of manufacture. much more than 7-8 years and your should consider replacing them. all the other fluid replacement suggestions above should also be performed particularly the brake fluid and radiator flush/antifreeze replacement.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
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From: Ramona CA
Change those 7 year old tires. Don't run a date code older than 6 years. Change the oil every 5000 miles and all fluids every 15000. A car with 100K miles on it may be in better shape than yours. I saw an 11 year old C5 with 15000 miles on it with a blown auto tranny. Main culpit - lack of use. Bushings and seals get dry and wear out easier. Put some miles on your car if you want to save it or sell it to someone who'll drive it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Whidbey Island WA
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Rochester Hills MI
the tires definitely need to be replaced. also replace all of the coolant lines. it may not have many miles, but all the rubber deteriorates over time due to ozone exposure. and dont forget about the belts too.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 560
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From: Centennial Colorado
I believe that is 100% true. When things sit, they don't get oil and start to oxidize, seals may flatten out, etc. Consistent use in my opinion keeps things in better shape then long periods of sitting idle.
Melting Slicks
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From: Whidbey Island WA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Simi Valley Ca
St. Jude Donor '12
I bought my 2000 in Dec '10 with 24,000 miles on it, do you recommend changing the tranny fluid even though the manual says to change it at 100,000? Radiator flush as well? Got the previous owners service records but didn't find any record of either of those services being performed. Unfortunately, he passed away recently so I can't ask him.
I also have the Blackwing filter, but I read that because of the design of the filter, most people would never need to clean it? I believe it was a quote from the manufacturer. Just asking.
I also have the Blackwing filter, but I read that because of the design of the filter, most people would never need to clean it? I believe it was a quote from the manufacturer. Just asking.
Last edited by Mr31FlavorsVette; Apr 28, 2011 at 09:16 PM.
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If it hasn't been done so far, change the coolant and brake fluid, and I would even consider changing all the other fluids while you are at it. I would also make sure the belts and hoses are in good shape.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
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From: Tulsa OK
I bought an '02 in the summer of '09 with 25k miles on it. At that time the oil had just been changed and looked good. I immediately changed the coolant, brake fluid and the run-flat tires. At 30k I changed the air filter, oil and oil filter. I'm somewhat uncertain about the transmission/differential fluid but I plan on belts, tires, oil and air at 40k - 50K.
Sitting is harder on any machinery than running.
OBD
Sitting is harder on any machinery than running.
OBD
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Liverpool NY
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 292
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My 02 just got a diff change, oil was done last year. I bought it in April 2010 w 42k on it. Now turning 49k this month. I like DRIVING it!!! I'm sure the A4 fluid should get changed soon. Did my fuel filter on Monday this week, have plugs and wires for a project later in May 
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Elizabethtown Kentucky
I have a 98 & 99. The 98 has 60,000 on it and gets driven whenever the weather is decent all the time. The 99 just turned 15,000 miles. I had all the fluids changed last year on both. The shop that I had them done at uses machines that cycle the fluids until they run clean. I think it was worth the expense and piece of mind. I could notice a difference in shifting for both afterwards.