How strict are you with maintenance? Post yours!

[byron84]

I've been steadily improving my maintenance habits, in an attempt to start reducing the overall long term cost of driving. I have to say that the Aveo has never let me down so far.

So I am curious, because I know the manual will tell you certain things to check and change at certain mileage intervals, but what have you found based on your real world experience?

For example when I bought mine, I did a small tune up including brake pads, spark plugs, air filter and oil. It was much needed, so said the bad mileage.

Since that time I have put almost 40,000km on the car and I have changed bearings, bought new winter and new summer tires but that's about it other than regular oil changes.

I am wondering, other than the timing belt I'm about to replace -> what other things should I be thinking about? Should I be changing the spark plugs again?

It generally runs perfectly fine all the time, but once in a while when I start the engine instead of the RPMs flaring up then falling to idle like normal , it will kinda struggle, almost like a sputter, below the typical idle range and then go to normal idle. does this sound familiar to you?

I'm curious to hear other people's maintenance track record over a significant time period with this car.

[MoneyMike]

I'd say depending how much you drive your car for the oil change. My car hardly goes anywhere and has very low miles, so I just wait until the expiration date on the sticker, which is about 4 months or so. But if you drive very often and/or far, then just change after 4,000 or 5,000 miles. As for the tire roatation, I did my 1st one at 6,000 miles, so I keep it at that, but according to the manual you can do that between every 5,000-8,000 miles. The other stuff I'd just follow the manual because I don't have enough miles on my car to even worry about many of those things for a while.

[thedan04]

Hello all,

I was reviewing my owner's manual today for recommended maintenance on my 2009 Aveo LT and was shocked to find the recommendation for oil change to not list mileage at all. It was recommended to wait for the light to come on or one year and provided information on the monitoring system that is in place.

http://www.chevrolet.com/assets/pdf/...veo_owners.pdf
page 306 (6-4) Scheduled maintenance

Can anyone provide some insight or experience with following this guideline? I've never heard of such a schedule and am nervous to follow it. I am aware that things change with newer technology and am more technically than mechanically inclined myself and want to gather more info before making a decision.

Thanks in advance

TheDan

[Ratchet104]

Hello all,

I was reviewing my owner's manual today for recommended maintenance on my 2009 Aveo LT and was shocked to find the recommendation for oil change to not list mileage at all. It was recommended to wait for the light to come on or one year and provided information on the monitoring system that is in place.

http://www.chevrolet.com/assets/pdf/...veo_owners.pdf
page 306 (6-4) Scheduled maintenance

Can anyone provide some insight or experience with following this guideline? I've never heard of such a schedule and am nervous to follow it. I am aware that things change with newer technology and am more technically than mechanically inclined myself and want to gather more info before making a decision.

Thanks in advance

TheDan

In simple terms, the car monitors the oil life based on engine data (rpms, vehicle speed, etc). Then it does a predetermined calculation and decides if the oil is due for changing.

I on the other hand change my oil every 2500mi, change the filter and rotate tires every 5000mi, replace my air filter and clean the throttle body every 15000mi, and at 30000mi i'll replace the brake fluid and manual trans fluid...beyond that I'm not too sure cuz i'm only at 7000mi with my '10

[petrified.rabbit]

my oil change light comes on the day after i change my oil, every time.
i change mine every 4-5k or 6 months (if i actually go 6 months without it going 5k..)

more often i do it right before its cold for winter, like late october early november, and the change it on the first break of spring. I do more driving in summer, so it typically gets changed then too..

[Ratchet104]

"This vehicle has the Engine Oil Life System, a computer system that indicates when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, the system must be reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary. A change engine oil light displays. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer has trained service people who will perform this work using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed."

That's what GM says about the oil life monitoring system

[thedan04]

Thank you for the reply Ratchet104.

I see in your reply that you regularly change your oil by mileage rather than relying on the Engine Oil Life System. Is this decision based on any negative experiences with following the owner's manual instructions or simply based on years of manufacturer's and other's recommendations to change the oil at regular mileage intervals?

Has anyone here ever actually waited for the light to come on to change the oil with this year/model?

[petrified.rabbit]

after a while, you notice you can feel the power loss / lack of responsiveness that new oil seems to cure.

you'll find an intervel that work for you. changing the oil regularly is cheaper than replacing it after the warranty runs out. i have 50k.. i'm sure the car could go that long without an oil change. (seen one go 120k) but i want it to last past 50k, where as gm wants me to buy another one.

[thedan04]

Thank you Petrified.Rabbit. That pretty much confirms my suspicions and helps me make a better decision!

As I bought my car used I think I will be changing the oil soon. The dealership stated the scheduled maintenance was performed, however this seems to present a sort of loop hole that leaves me feeling less sure about what was done.

[thehunterooo]

i only use JDM parts and oil