Hello All,

I recently went to a dealership to get an oil change (50 bucks for oil change and wash and "check up"). My 01 Vert A4 has 72k on it and they gave me a list of this info that I need. First off they said I had a real good running Vette but that it just needed simple maintenence. I wanted all of your opinions on the info they told me and if you agree with that I should replace.

First Off, I know the Brake Fluid needs to be flushed, as its extremely dark and gross, so Ill leave that one out.

-Rear Differential Service- Looks syrupy they said or too thick for that matter.
-Coolant Flush
-3 APCK Fuel Service flush (300 bucks!)
-Power Steering
-Fuel Filter


Im thinking
-Rear Diff Service is a definite change-$125
-Brake Fluid-$89
-Maybe Power Steering $99

However they were pretty much charging alot for it...is it worth it or should I go to another mechanic? I dont have the ability or tools for doing these easy flushes myself.

However My car seems to be running fine. What do you all think. I have been currently averaging 15mpg and 70% of my driving is highway to and from work.. Please keep in mind my engine has finally warmed up once I get to work. Could this be the issue of my average mpg being low...or would getting some of these issues fixed assist with mpg? Thoughts?! Thanks for all the help guys!

 

I personally only flush my toilet, not my vette. Are there any aftermarket mod's on this car? None of the items mentioned should cause the amount of mpg hit your getting. What about the brakes on this car? Could they be draging? Change any of the fluids is fine, but I would suggest not the flushes.

 

You should be getting twice that for mileage! You need to find a forum member that would be willing to help you, members here are great! You also need to fill out your profile so someone knows where your at and can point you in the right direction.

 

I just flushed my brake fluid myself a couple weeks ago.

Do it yourself , I wrote a quick procedure:
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0aae8/webpage.html

Scroll down and click on :
SS Brake Lines, Speed Bleeder install, and Brake Fluid flush on my C5 Z06:

Toque

 

i haven't had the best of luck with our dealer here......gave them one chance when i first got my vette, never again.

you have the best people here that will assist you in any way they can.....and i agree with a previous post.....tell us where you are, someone might wanna come help you....

i used this forum to successfully change my diff, manual trans, clutch & brake fluid thus far.......need to do coolant once it warms up....

8VETTE7 you have helped me in the recent past.....have you posted your coolant technique or can you pm it to me, thanks

 

You guys are great. And I definitely will update this information. By the way, if anyone in the Phoenix area who wants to work on my vette and knows what their doing! Feel free to call me! 713 927 2757!

 

I didnt know that a coolant flush was bad, but theres not way in hell I would do a tranny flush. Good to know that it stems from more than my A4 Tranny.

 

100 bucks sound expensive for a power steering flush? Keep in mind this is from a dealer too.

 

go ahead, pay them and get it done!...if you don`t know how to do it, don`t have tools the whole project can turn into a nightmare...fresh fluids are essential for reliability...shop around!
just my 2 cents

 

You can definitely do the power steering, brake and differential fluid yourself with a few basic hand tools. People have written some nice guides that can help.

 

Changing the fluid in the rear diff shouldn't cost $125. You only use a couple of quarts of fluid and it doesn't take long to do if you have the proper tools to get the old fluid out and the new fluid in. Even at a $100 per hour labor rate it shouldn't cost that much. Any good independent shop should be able to do this for less money.

The same for some of the other services such as changing the fuel filter, flushing the brakes, coolant flush, etc.

If you go to an independent just make sure they use DexCool for the coolant.

I tend to stay away from fuel cleaning services as I am not sure they really do anything besides separate you from your money. If you have been using good quality gasoline with the proper detergents I don't think you need it.

Your gas mileage may be OK. When I was working I had about an 8 mile drive to work from my house. The oil temperature was just getting into the 180 degree range when I pulled into the parking lot. In the first mile I went downhill and encountered 5 stop signs. Then I had a 30 mph limit for about a quarter mile and a 40 mph limit for about 3/4 mile. The remaining 6 miles of the trip was at a 55 mph speed. There were two large hills that I had to drive over along the way. Average mileage on my 97 and with my 03Z was always around 16 mpg starting from the time they were new. The 97 would get 31 mpg on the interstate at 70 mph in cruise and the Z would get 28.

Bill

 

Concerning gas mileage, i live in Phoenix and am basically on flat ground. I reset the average MPG last night when going into Phx and drove roughly 45 miles, I average 23 mpg during that trip. That includes pushing the car a little on the highway for a little, but not very much at all. Now, when I woke up today and did my usual drive to work (8 miles flat ground 6 miles of that being highway), it went down to 21mpg.

 

Permit me to chime in here. I believe in the value of changeing fluids. If I'm going to err, it will be that I change fluids too often rather than the other way around. But I hate throwing my money away. So what I do is buy the fluid I want either at the dealership counter, or in autoparts stores. I bring the fluid to my local GM dealer and ask for the price of labor only. This way I get the fluids I want. The dealer makes a few dollars. My car is well serviced by professionals. And all ends well. I am not married to GM branded fluids. I prefer Amsoil in the pan and differential. On the other hand I prefer Dexcool in the radiator. And my brakes and power steering unit get whatever fluid meets specs and is on sale. So far I haven't flushed the auto trans, but I'm leaning towards a premium synthetic since I am concerned about heat breaking down lesser auto trans fluids. But that's just me. Everyone has to do what they are comfortable with.
Glen

 

in town i avg 14mpg

interstate i avg'd 28mpg running 70-80 in 6th gear

as far as fluids......its ur dime, well my bad u r going to dealer.....its ur dollar

i think if you can read, look at pictures, can jack up a car and don't mind getting dirty you should be able to change fluids....but again ur choice....i have better piece of mind doing it myself and knowing i did it correctly.....just my .02

good luck

 

I'd forgo the $300 for the fuel system and run a bottle of this through every month (ordering info in my sig):
AMSPIL P.I. Performance Improver

I do agree with changing the fuel filter though.

As for the others, while their price is totally unreasonable, I'd recommend the diff fluid as well. Most diff fluilds do not hold up well in our diffs. I didn't see tranny fluid on your list, and I'd consider that as well for the same reason. In my 06 CTS-V (not same tranny but makes my point), my stock tranny fluid sheared low out of grade in 10k miles!

Brake and power steering fluid probably a good idea as well (though I still feel that their prices are too high).

 

I have a rebuilt transmission in there with about 10k miles. And i have been thinking about gettting the transmission drained as well, just to get the metal shavings from the new tranny out. However that is not first on my list of priorities for fluids. I am really trying to do these things for a lower cost than going to the dealer. found a coupon to go to this tire and auto center and get the brake fluid and power steering flushed for about 110 bucks for both. But I do not know if I want to take my baby into that place just for the price....even though these should be extremely easy tasks.

 

well i'll share this......i went to dealer.....impressed they only had one guy they said could discuss vette service, no one else period. this made me feel good, until i asked, while its on preinspect could you ck clutch, parking brake, wipers (cause they we half parked), said sure.......

later on pickup.....wipers...oh that will be $50 just for an estimate.....said no thanks what about parking brake? oh forgot that (no big deal i can adjust at home myself) lastly were you able to ck the clutch? the response was.......oh it is a manual?? just pull it around see ya

......i can tell you just by reading a few forum posts 10mins after i got home from the dealer that....1 parking brake is prob out of adjustment easy fix, wipers prob need motor or udders.....my point, they acted CLUELESS!!

i would rather chance doing something and learning it right and getting advice from forum on anything i'm uncomfortable with......but hey its ur dime (dollar at dealer) and you gotta find someone you can trust if you truly believe its ur "baby"

good luck

 

oh yeah and 1 last thing i forgot......i had never looked at the air filter or even taken the straps loose. while changing clutch fluid the other day i noticed a strap looked funny, different than the other (mind you i had not touched either)...the drivers side, come to find out, was loose (if this is a common prob i don't know but i know when i strapped it back down it seemed impossible to "bump" loose) so i removed filter to inspect cause they did not say it needed replacing at preinspect at dealer...........gheez it was filthy!!!!! wads of animal hair clogging it up, leaves, etc.....just DIRTY!! they never suggested a replacement or even bothered to "knock out" the old one. i had not put but a couple hundred miles on it since the dealer preinspect so i know all that dirt did not get there from time of preinspect to when i checked it.

just goes to show while they may be dealer they may not have best interest at heart and may not consider my car their baby, like i do! same could prob be said for SOME (not all) of the "quik lube" type places.

good luck

 

Thanks for the follow up wkendwarrior. FYI, the info from the dealer was just what they were recommending, and how much they were charging. Ive been doing some shopping, looking on the forums, and also asking for feedback from our members.

It is my money, therefore why I am questioning going to a dealer for simple issues, she is my baby, therefore why I am quesitoning going to a cheaper mechanic for even simple issues.

With that said, I appreciate all the feedback that I get. Im gonna do the power steering myself just by myself and probably the others at a dependable corvette shop down here. Thanks for the help!

 

you are on the right track......if i ever need major engine repairs or didn't have the proper tools i would be on here looking for a highly recommended corvette SPECIALIST.....even if i had to travel hrs to get to them.

not trying to offend just help, good luck