Tips about servicing an old Corsa car

bigjl

A car as old as that I would be buying some basic tools and a Haynes manual.

Oil and filter every year. Every other year do the air filter and fuel filter. If is has a Pollen filter than do that every other year.

Stuff like brakes just keep an eye on them. And replace as needed.

bigjl

jimjames wrote: »

To be honest I find YouTube and Google far easier to use for guidance than Haynes although I do have the manual. Small B&W photos are nowhere like seeing full colour moving images.

I don't think you can learn correctly using YouTube, not even a sign of oily fingerprints!

Seriously though watching stuff being done is a great way to learn. Though have seen some howlers on YouTube.

bigjl

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

Next to worthless on a 9 year old car - receipts ( whether for parts you've fitted yourself, or for a service from a local mechanic ) are far more valuable.

Reminds me of the Mk3 Mondeo I got at auction for the BiL, massive folder of receipts and a fully stamped service book. In typical auction style the folder of receipts had been hidden under the seat.

Even had receipts for tyres, brakes, wipers.

Interior is spotless, cruise control works spot on, climate control works.

I will admit I keep all receipts in the service folder aswell as the book, when in warranty I use main dealer only. Maybe overkill but in my experince a goodwill repair is unlikely to be done without it.

mcjordi

siliconbits wrote: »

What about the stamps in the book though?

i prefer to see the receipts for the service over stamps...
i do all my own car repairs/servicing now.. yet when i first passed my test in 2004 i couldnt do anything.. self taught/youtube/car clubs provide excellent how to's

Joe_Horner

I've always done my own repairs (up to & including engine & gearbox rebuilds) but, for the past year or so, haven't had time so found a local garage I "felt" I could trust.

Even if you go the garage route it can help enormously to have some idea what they're telling you, and getting familiar with basic home servicing is one of the best ways to do that.