Quote:
Originally Posted by doingwork
My fiance's 05 Corolla LE Auto is coming up on 90,000 miles. Brakes and front rotors were replaced a little over a year ago (I think about 12,000 miles ago). I know that she hasn't had any of the scheduled maintenance done at the scheduled intervals, but she has had the car since it was brand new so we know that it hasn't been driven hard. I'm confident enough with my wrenching skills under a hood to take care of the spark plugs, the serpentine belt, and the belt tensioner/pulley. I am planning on taking the car to a mechanic to get some of the other things done that I don't feel comfortable or don't have the tools for.
Here's what I'm looking at having done:
-Replace/flush the Auto Tranny fluid
-Replace/flush coolant
-Replace/flush power steering fluid
-Replace/flush brake fluid (I don't think this was done during the brake/rotor replacement, I'll have to find her maint. records to make sure)
Is there anything else I should have done to help us make sure this care can go at least another 90,000 miles?
Also, over the course of 6 years of ownership, she has lost the "key" for the locking lugnuts on the wheels. I assume I'm going to have to go to the dealership to get another one?
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The plugs aren't due until 120k. If it makes you feel better go ahead and replace them (it isn't difficult at all) but there shouldn't be a need. At the very least consider removing them and inspecting them just to be sure.
Yeah all the fluids should be changed but I'm not convinced that you need to take it to a shop for this to be done. There are plenty of resources here describing how to do it yourself.
The P/S fluid in the reservoir can be sucked out and refilled with fresh. Then drive and do several turns and repeat the process until the fluid is clean. No need to do an actual flush.
The Brake fluid can be sucked out of the master cylinder and refilled with fresh then open each bleeder until the fluid comes out clean. Make sure the master isn't allowed to be run completely dry.
The transmission fluid can easily be drained/refilled. Repeat this each oil change over the next few two or three oil changes until the fluid is clean. No need to replace the screen (filter).
Probably not a bad idea to have the cooling system professionally flushed but at 90k you'll probably be fine with a drain/fill. Plenty of information here on how to do that.
Also make sure the rear brakes are inspected, cleaned, and properly adjusted. Your rear brake shoes should be good until at LEAST 150k but still do need to be adjusted periodically.
As far as the locking lugnuts.. it's nothing a chisel or a locking lug removal kit won't fix. They'll just need to be replaced with regular lugs or new locks. Any shop should be able to take care of this for you not necessarily the dealer (especially tire shops) plus dealers ROB YOU BLIND for new locking sets.
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