Hi,
I have 1996 SC2 Saturn, and it is approaching 90,000 miles. The milage on the car when I purchased it, was 61,000. I have changed the oil every 3000 miles, and changed the transmission oil once(had it done). Do you guys think the 90,000 mile service is necessary. The car runs fine. I wasn't sure if changing the fuel filter, spark plugs, whatever else they do, would be a good idea, or should I wait until their is a problem. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?? Please advise
Thanks,
Scott
You can do almost everything "they" do yourself and save a lot of money. Find a Factory Service Manual on Ebay or learn from a knowledgeable friend.
In my opinion, doing Preventative Maintenance is the best/cheapest strategy in the long run. Why wait till you have a problem when it is far better to AVOID them?
You seem to believe this is true for oil changes since you do them every 3K miles. Changing the plugs, ignition wires, PCV, air and fuel filters are all fairly "easy" to do on your vehicle since most of this (fuel filter may be an exception) is easy to access (a lot easier than the oil filter which you seem to have no trouble with...) Other things to make sure are OK as well are the cooling system (flush and refill), brakes, tires, alignment, and suspension.
Bob
Which is less expensive, a fuel filter or a tow? I always go with preventive maintenance. Got over 200K miles on my last vehicle that way.
Oppie
Do you have the maintenance record of the car before you bought it? My 98 SL2 has 94K. I have the fluids changed on schedule. I think the rest of the rec maintenance in the manual is mainly an opportunity for the Saturn service dept to cash in on neurotic owners. Many budding problems (e.g. ignition problems) will trigger the check engine light, which you of course should have checked out. The problems are detected before the situation is critical. Very unlikely this kind of thing will leave you stranded somewhere. Always have any abnormal noises checked out, for instance bad motor mount.
The fuel filter and spark plugs are even easier to change than the oil. Both are in plain view.
The fuel filter comes with some little plastic tools to undo the hose connections.
Automatic transmission fluid change is also exceptionally easy (I don't know if you have a manual or automatic) with the spin-on filter.
If you're looking for an excuse for not doing scheduled maintenance, you won't find it in the mechanical difficulty or cost of the parts.
Did the previous owner do the 60,000 mile service? If not, you really do need to change the spark plugs out now, they don't last forever. Do it, if for no other reason, for fuel economy.
Tim.
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