maintenance intervals

[anton74]

Hi guys,

 

What are the recommended intervals for ATF, fuel filter and spark plugs (ACDELCO #R44LTSM6) change?

Thanks,

 

Anton.

[dodgethis]

ATF change should be every 60,000 miles, Tune up (Spark plugs, wires, Fuel Filter, PCV, Air Filter), every 30,000 miles, (Maybe changing the fuel filter can be done every 50,000 miles depending upon how much you run the tank real low.

[nelson480]

LOL if thats true about the fuel filter i need to get on it, its been in my trunk for 2 years LMAO

[dodgethis]

Honestly changing the fuel filter is not hard, if i had to choose between what i would do first in regard to a tune up, i would change the fuel filter as its easier than even dropping in a new Air filter. IMO

[94 olds vert]

Changing the fuel filter is very easy.

[Schurkey]

ATF change should be every 60,000 miles, Tune up (Spark plugs, wires, Fuel Filter, PCV, Air Filter), every 30,000 miles, (Maybe changing the fuel filter can be done every 50,000 miles depending upon how much you run the tank real low.

Is that the GM specs as found in the owner's manual?

 

Seems COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE to change plug wires every time you change plugs.

 

I've got a pair of Luminas with the 3.4; both have the original plug wires (112,000 miles and 150,000 miles) and I don't think twice about running plugs for 50,000 miles. I'm thinking the original plugs in the '92 went 70,000 or 80,000; and came out looking like they'd be ready for more--but I already had the new set, so I put 'em in. I installed plugs in the '93 when I bought it (111,000 miles) and it's gone nearly 40K since then.

 

I don't think I've EVER changed the PCV valve; although I cleaned 'em with aerosol carb spray about two years ago. Fuel filters at 50,000 sounds about right, keeping in mind that ONE tank of dirty gasoline and the filter is junk. In fact, a LOT of this is dependent on your driving habits and conditions.

 

Really, I could easily see replacing the timing belt, plugs, fuel filter, transmission fluid 'n' filter, PS fluid, flush the coolant, serpentine belt, check the radiator cap, clean out the overflow bottle, "maybe" replace the air filter all at 60 or 70 K. I don't replace wires until they actually go bad; although I'd replace the entire high-mileage set if one or two failed. Same with the air filter--I check it about every year; but it takes forever for it to actually get dirty.

 

Speaking of trans fluid, don't let them talk you into flushing the fluid using "the machine". "The machine" is a really-expensive and TOTALLY UNNEEDED piece of shop equipment; the service charge you pay reflects the expense of "The machine". Some shops don't even replace the trans filter! You're better-off having it done the old-fashioned way: Drop the pan, replace the filter, install the pan, re-fill with fluid. AFTER that's done, you can either "call it a day", or you can go ahead and flush the rest of the old fluid by disconnecting the trans cooler return tube then running the engine at idle while pouring in fresh fluid as the old stuff squirts out the opened cooler circuit.

 

I suppose I'm lucky; both cars still have the original coolant hoses except for the "quick connect" heater nipple which rotted out. Popular part; I think they rot out on a lot of cars--the dealer had the part in stock.

Edited November 9, 2010 by Schurkey