My 2005 Camry now has nearly 135,000 miles on it. We purchased it one year ago with 113,000 miles, and I want to do some maintenance this weekend, since this is our only car and I want it to last. Aside from the brakes recently, I've never done my own maintenance (and our previous residence prohibited it), so I'm just looking for suggestions of the best things that can be performed in a day with low probability of failure. and the recommended tools required if not listed so I have everything on hand before I begin.
I do have jack stands, a 3 ton jack, various sockets and a torque wrench. I do not have an impact wrench or an impact socket set, and don't know if it's necessary for this list.... I am going to get a set of ramps.
Here's my list:
1) Oil change, obviously. I have Mobil 1 oil, and the filter. I'm not sure if I have that strappy filter wrench, and wondering if one of those ones that fit over the cap and hook up to a socket wrench is recommended.
2) Air filter--seems straight forward.
3) Transmission fluid--seems easy enough... someone mentioned something about a hand pump?
4) I don't know about this one... I think one of the belts is squealing. Based on what I've read, I don't think I'd be strong enough to change belts, plus they were changed at 91,000 miles (based on carfax report). I didn't inspect them yet. Maybe they just need to be tightened? Then someone mentioned that tensioner pulleys might need to be replaced, even if the belts look fine? I gathered I would probably need tools for this one, and to borrow a strong arm!
5.) I had never heard of a PCV valve until reading here. It sounds like some people just replace this automatically if the car has so many miles, and warn not to break it. What's the worst case scenario if it breaks? (Trying to understand my risks.)
6.) Spark plugs. I have a spark plug socket. I'm concerned about disconnecting the battery and the ECU having to 'relearn' settings. They should come out easily, right? What if one gets stuck... is it ok to change the others and figure out the stuck one later? Or is this an all or nothing deal?
7.) Power steering fluid--I read you just pump it out and add fresh fluid--sounds simple.
8.) Brake fluid--I have a coupon that a local dealer will do a flush for $40. I might let them do it this time since I don't enjoy the bleeding process and don't want to be the one messing up the master cylinder. I probably just need another tool....
9) Coolant flush--sounds easy, but that I should wait until it's warm enough to use my water hose.
From what I've read, heat the engine before transmission fluid and oil; have a cold engine when doing spark plugs and changing coolant. Not sure about the rest yet.
If I were to do things in two Saturdays, what would be a convenient way to divide this list? (I'll do coolant in the spring.) Please also list any caveats.
TIA
I do have jack stands, a 3 ton jack, various sockets and a torque wrench. I do not have an impact wrench or an impact socket set, and don't know if it's necessary for this list.... I am going to get a set of ramps.
Here's my list:
1) Oil change, obviously. I have Mobil 1 oil, and the filter. I'm not sure if I have that strappy filter wrench, and wondering if one of those ones that fit over the cap and hook up to a socket wrench is recommended.
2) Air filter--seems straight forward.
3) Transmission fluid--seems easy enough... someone mentioned something about a hand pump?
4) I don't know about this one... I think one of the belts is squealing. Based on what I've read, I don't think I'd be strong enough to change belts, plus they were changed at 91,000 miles (based on carfax report). I didn't inspect them yet. Maybe they just need to be tightened? Then someone mentioned that tensioner pulleys might need to be replaced, even if the belts look fine? I gathered I would probably need tools for this one, and to borrow a strong arm!
5.) I had never heard of a PCV valve until reading here. It sounds like some people just replace this automatically if the car has so many miles, and warn not to break it. What's the worst case scenario if it breaks? (Trying to understand my risks.)
6.) Spark plugs. I have a spark plug socket. I'm concerned about disconnecting the battery and the ECU having to 'relearn' settings. They should come out easily, right? What if one gets stuck... is it ok to change the others and figure out the stuck one later? Or is this an all or nothing deal?
7.) Power steering fluid--I read you just pump it out and add fresh fluid--sounds simple.
8.) Brake fluid--I have a coupon that a local dealer will do a flush for $40. I might let them do it this time since I don't enjoy the bleeding process and don't want to be the one messing up the master cylinder. I probably just need another tool....
9) Coolant flush--sounds easy, but that I should wait until it's warm enough to use my water hose.
From what I've read, heat the engine before transmission fluid and oil; have a cold engine when doing spark plugs and changing coolant. Not sure about the rest yet.
If I were to do things in two Saturdays, what would be a convenient way to divide this list? (I'll do coolant in the spring.) Please also list any caveats.
TIA