[Z06] Routine Maintenance
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Richmond TX
Routine Maintenance
I took my '01 into the local Chevy dealer this morning to get the oil changed. It has about 22K miles on it and runs great.
The normal service guy that handles Corvettes wasn't there and the guy that helped me started to go off on all the things I should have done.
He told me that I needed to have the injectors cleaned, the fuel filter replaced, the tires balanced and a four wheel alignment. I also needed the brake fluid drained and flushed and the rear end fluid serviced. He then went on to say that tires should be balanced and a four wheel alignment done every 5K miles!
I will admit I tend to do the minimum servicing required, but the car runs great and the owners manual says nothing of these requirements.
So how much of this is really needed?
The normal service guy that handles Corvettes wasn't there and the guy that helped me started to go off on all the things I should have done.
He told me that I needed to have the injectors cleaned, the fuel filter replaced, the tires balanced and a four wheel alignment. I also needed the brake fluid drained and flushed and the rear end fluid serviced. He then went on to say that tires should be balanced and a four wheel alignment done every 5K miles!
I will admit I tend to do the minimum servicing required, but the car runs great and the owners manual says nothing of these requirements.
So how much of this is really needed?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Lake Mary FL
Most of the extra stuff they "pawn off on you" is BS. Balancing tires every 5k is the lamest thing I've ever heard, you're not even supposed to rotate them that often on a car with rotatable tires. Four wheel alignment at 5k is also absurd. That would end up costing a fortune every time you brought it to the dealer.
I believe the fuel filter should be replaced at 15k though, but the filter should cost maybe $15 and take all of about 5 minutes to replace, if it's anything like the f-body.
Brake fluid flushed and refilled is your choice..guess it depends on how hard you beat on your car
As far as cleaning the injectors goes...just throw a bottle of injector cleaner into your next 3 tanks of gas and you'll be fine.
I believe the fuel filter should be replaced at 15k though, but the filter should cost maybe $15 and take all of about 5 minutes to replace, if it's anything like the f-body.
Brake fluid flushed and refilled is your choice..guess it depends on how hard you beat on your car
As far as cleaning the injectors goes...just throw a bottle of injector cleaner into your next 3 tanks of gas and you'll be fine.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
How many people actually get their routine service done at the dealership? I don't think I am going to because I have nothing but distrust for dealerships and I have a good mechaninc at a Meineke Car Care Center that I have always used.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Stafford VA
Originally Posted by Mike04Z06
Most of the extra stuff they "pawn off on you" is BS. Balancing tires every 5k is the lamest thing I've ever heard, you're not even supposed to rotate them that often on a car with rotatable tires. Four wheel alignment at 5k is also absurd. That would end up costing a fortune every time you brought it to the dealer.
with one caveat: if i get the 4-wheel alighment before AX, i can sometimes shave a few fractions...
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Hillsdale NJ
I would certainly have my brake fluid replaced at least once per year. Safety is too important to fool around with.
Instead of asking about what should be serviced, what does the manual say suggested service intervals are? If they differ from the dealer I would go back and bitch to the General Manager.
Instead of asking about what should be serviced, what does the manual say suggested service intervals are? If they differ from the dealer I would go back and bitch to the General Manager.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 1
From: Augusta GA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Well I get the oil done at the dealer... and I am trying to get it done beofore I leave for the Z fes. It has 1,500 on it, but I want fresh oil for the trip, as I will be putting down over 2,000 round trip. I like to get it up on the lift and make sure I see eveything is checked ect... Rotation of SC tires 
I put my CAGS in at the dealer when the oil was being drained and the tech pointed to the front of the car for the trany 
Well I don't go there anymore, and the new dealer is awesome, the Vette tech is a great guy and so is the trany guy, service manager, heck everyone there. See you guys at the FES!
Dave
I put my CAGS in at the dealer when the oil was being drained and the tech pointed to the front of the car for the trany Well I don't go there anymore, and the new dealer is awesome, the Vette tech is a great guy and so is the trany guy, service manager, heck everyone there. See you guys at the FES!Dave
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Richmond TX
Originally Posted by barondw
Instead of asking about what should be serviced, what does the manual say suggested service intervals are? If they differ from the dealer I would go back and bitch to the General Manager.
One reason I enjoy owning an American car is the lack of required/recommended servicing. I owned a Toyota once and it required having the timing belt replaced at 60K miles! If I have to replace a part like it's time for the junk yard.
The kicker to the whole dealer experience is when I picked the car up they charged me $79.95 to "inspect" the brakes. All I asked was to see if the pads needed replacing and they charge 80 bucks to tell me no.
I need to find somewhere else to take it for servicing.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
It depends on how you drive the car - hard or easy? Do you track it or street only?
The injector cleaning is BS, run Techron gas and a fuel system cleaner every 10K miles or so and you are good.
Fuel Filter is good for 30K miles or so
Tranny and rear end fluids should be changed at least every 15K miles, more often if you track your car.
I flush my brakes before every track event, and replace the fluid in the reservoir every oil change. Cheap insurance IMO.
Also change the fluid in the clutch resevoir every oil change.
To each their own, other opinions will vary
Les
The injector cleaning is BS, run Techron gas and a fuel system cleaner every 10K miles or so and you are good.
Fuel Filter is good for 30K miles or so
Tranny and rear end fluids should be changed at least every 15K miles, more often if you track your car.
I flush my brakes before every track event, and replace the fluid in the reservoir every oil change. Cheap insurance IMO.
Also change the fluid in the clutch resevoir every oil change.
To each their own, other opinions will vary
Les
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Euless Texas
Originally Posted by ZO6Les
Tranny and rear end fluids should be changed at least every 15K miles, more often if you track your car.
Les
Les
Ciao,
Rick
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
My first choice would be to do it yourself - not hard with a hand pump or drill pump. Otherwise I would find a good local mechanic, nothing hard about it, easier with a lift. I run Amsoil in the tranny and rear, again others will have different opinions. The most important thing is to get them changed regularly. Personally I would avoid the Quick Lube's.
Les
Les
Originally Posted by SoulDad570
Any opinions about where to get get Tranny and rear end fluids changed? I hear lots of negative opinions about your frendly neighborhood "Quicky Lube". Should you only trust the Chevy dealer? I have a local independant garage that I trust and use for just about everything. What about them?
Ciao,
Rick
Ciao,
Rick
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Valley CA
Dealers
I will usually use a dealer at least until the car is out of factory warranty. If you educate yourself, and stick to what the book says they are not much more than the quick lube guys. Many service establishments will try to get you to overhaul the car every 3000 miles. I brought my BMW in for an oil change, and got a $180 bill and a bunch of BS about their 98 or something point inspection. I traded the BMW for the Z06! Your best defense is to be edj-um-ick-ated !!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
Routine Maintenance
Originally Posted by CAPN17
He was trying to stick the grease gun into a non-zerk fitting>
Best line all week! I'm still laughing!
