Car maintenance - things that need doing every 50,000 miles or so

pollyanna24

Just wondered if there was a website that told of certain things that need doing when on different cars?

To try and make it a bit clearer what I mean, the cam belt went on my Alfa and it turns out that I should have got it changed at 60,000 miles.

Had to buy a new car and checked when it needed to be changed and on my fiesta, it was 100,000 miles, so I got it done just in case as the car had done that much.

Now, I know if I had checked in advance, I would have known to get it done before it snapped, but I didn't check cos I didn't know. But there might be other things that should be routinely done at say, 50,000 miles which is about where my current car is at.

marlot

What does it say in the handbook?

gilbert_and_sullivan

Owners forums, the sort frequented by those who look after their cars, as good a place as any to find out weaknesses and what those in the know do to their cars.

Cambelts are a minefield, many of them now not an easy DiY and many makers use the water pump as a cambelt pulley which shortens the life of pump and by association belt and possibly engine too, but it makes for cheap if not long lived manufacture.

Its not just 50k work its from new if you want to make your car last for years.

Generally, half the recommended oil change intervals, and where transmissions are sealed for life assume its a politician speaking so a complete fabrication, at 50k if its not already been done your car, although we haven't a clue what it is (Fiesta?), will benefit from transmission fluid change.

stator

Depends on model but many things that aren't part of the normal annual service might have been skipped if your garage is lazy or you just asked for a 'standard service' (with my cars recommended service periods in brackets)
Fuel filter (20k)
Brake flud (2 yrs)
Cambelt (20k ouch)
Pollen filter (20k)
Air filter (40k)
Spark plug replacement (40k but should be checked every year)

You don't usually replace it until it's gone but clutches usually go somewhere between 50k - 100k depending on model. (Or the 'transmission' if it's an automatic). So if it's not been done on your car keep an eye on it and maybe even start saving up

forgotmyname

Service it before the manufacturers maximum limits. If the Cambelt limit is 60,000 then you dont have to run it to 59,999.9 as you roll into the service bay.

If you have it serviced proeprly then they should be informing you of these things that are due.

pendragon_arther

stator wrote: »

Depends on model but many things that aren't part of the normal annual service might have been skipped if your garage is lazy or you just asked for a 'standard service' (with my cars recommended service periods in brackets)
Fuel filter (20k)
Brake flud (2 yrs)
Cambelt (20k ouch)
Pollen filter (20k)
Air filter (40k)
Spark plug replacement (40k but should be checked every year)

You don't usually replace it until it's gone but clutches usually go somewhere between 50k - 100k depending on model. (Or the 'transmission' if it's an automatic). So if it's not been done on your car keep an eye on it and maybe even start saving up

When I worked in a garage we used to swop the tyres diagonally for even wear too. Also checked timing, adjust tappets, oil change and fluid and water levels, test rad for strength of coolant, new air and oil filter, check carburetor for correct mixture, check tracking and wheel alignment...

pollyanna24

Thanks everyone, will look into all points made.

It's a 2004 fiat punto. Straight after buying it, it needed the steering column replaced. Have since looked it up and this is a common fault with them.

I'm not a car person. They just get me from a to b, but one day I hope to be able to get a half decent car.

It's going in for a service and mot next week, just want needed if there was anything else specific I should be getting the mechanics to look at.

stator

If you don't have the manual you could try a haynes manual, they about £15 - £20. They tend to list servicable items.

jeallen01

stator wrote: »

If you don't have the manual you could try a haynes manual, they about £15 - £20. They tend to list servicable items.

The Haynes manuals are often out of date, as are the owners' handbooks, because manufacturers change (generally DOWNWARD!) the recommended intervals based on actual failure rates after release to market - do your research on the relevant owners' forums, and ask the dealers but then demand that they put it in writing so that you have solid evidence to make a warrantee claim if a catastrophic failure occurs before the stated interval!