Self Mainenance

[BillGeek]

I have finally seen the light, and will no longer take my car to the stealership for a service. I will now either take the car to a useless mechanic, or attempt to do this on my own.

The question that I need to ask (and I'm sure that this has been asked a million times already....) is whether it is better to use a mineral oil, or synthetic oil, or even a semi-synthetic. I know that Toyota themselves put Castrol GTX oil in, but I hate the stuff. I'd rather go for something of a higher quality.

Also, what should be done / checked when doing a minor service? The only things I could think of:

Drain / Replace Oil
Replace Oil Filter
Check / Replace Spark Plugs (This was done two services ago - 20'000km)
Check / Replace Air Filter
Check / Top up other Fluids (EG: Brake fluid, engine coolant, etc...)
Check / Replace brake pads (This was done about 50'000 km ago... )

Anything I've missed?

[ROBS]

Whats wrong with Castrol GTX? Why do you hate it? I've been using it for years in all of my cars...its all i've ever used actually (since my first oil change). I'd say its quality stuff. I dont see the point of synthetic myself, i've seen engines last 300-400,000km and still going, running great with regular dino.

To add to your list :

Tranny and diff fluid - 30,000mi

[BillGeek]

I remember in my dad's Mercedes he used to use Castrol GTX. After the second service he did, we started hearing a "knock" sound under the tappet cover. The next service, he put in some or other Shell oil, and the noise was gone after about 5000km... That's why I don't prefer it. it might be because it was an old engine, but my Camry isn't too recent either.

Added to the list. (Thanx)

[vishayne]

also check your:
fuel filter
tank gasket
timing belt
fuel pump

my dad and i always used gtx with all of our cars and we never had any problems with it, to me its the best oil

[Heat]

I use Castrol GTX in both my Camry and Accord, great stuff. It was the Mercedes, not the oil. Or maybe either not enough, or too much, of the oil was put in?

Anyway, pick up a Haynes manual for your car, will be about $15 at Autozone, Pepboys, etc and it will go through the maintenance items.

[Kep]

Not routine but probably every 100,000 miles or so go through your emissions system and clean things (EGR valve, modulator, throttle body, IAC valve, PCV valve, check vacuum lines and air supply for leaks), replace brake fluid. Replace coolant every other year.

I like to change my oil every 3,000 miles. I just go ahead and use dino. I prefer Quaker State old engine oil, but I understand that all of the major brands are pretty much the same.

I also have gotten into the habit of draining my transmission pan at every other oil change (not all the fluid comes out so it takes 2 or 3 times to replace all of the fluid. I figure that this way I am changing the fluid about every 20,000 miles or so.). I change the transmission filter and inspect the insides about every 30,000-40,000.

Kep

[Hajoca]

Any major brand of oil that will meet (my 97 asks for SJ compliant) SL certification and in the right viscosity will be fine. All of these oil are pretty much the same. I tend on choosing a higher detergent (TBN) oil.

I use conventional 15W40 in the summer, and a synthetic (0W30 or 0W40) in the winter to have reliable starts in -10 degree weather.

[Mike Gerber]

Your owner's manual (or a maintainance supplement to the manual) will give you a maintainance schedule on what needs to be changed and/or checked and at what intervals. It's a great little book to read.

I have to agree with some of the other posters that Castroil is a good motor oil. Personally, I feel it is the best dino (non-synthetic) oil out there. I use it exclusively in one of my cars. That said, any major brand oil which meets your car's requirements will be fine. What requirements you ask? Again, check your owner's manual under the oil specification section for the required certification and weight.

Mike