How strict are you with maintenance? Post yours!

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.

when you start the car, just hold the key an extra second or so, it's just that you let it go before it's completely to speed

happens to my 04 sometimes, usually because i'm in a hurry. like trumpus said just hold the key over like a second longer.

Good point, you're probably right. So how about your maintenance habits? :D

i fix it when it breaks :lol:

oil changes every 4-5k, i drive highway so thats like 2-3 months..

oil changes every 3,000 miles rotate tires every other oil change, and i change the ATF when it needs it. other than that, like rabbit said when it breaks i fix it.

Actually, I am probably better in my Aveo maintenance than any other toy I have had.

Free oil changes. I always make the appointment as soon as I realize I am hitting 3000 miles. Comes quickly.

With the lack of power in this car, I am concerned into keeping her at her peak.

At 60,000 miles the Timing Belt WILL be changed.

At 90,000, I will probably replace the Thermostat housing, if it has not left me stranded.

This is my commuter, it needs to keep running.

General rule of mine is to change oil every 5k minimum. Usually closer to 10k. I get an oil analysis done on my oil normally to make sure there isn't any abnormal wear on the engine and there never is. 3k is way to short of a change interval IMO. Even the OEMs say 5k in most environments and they have to stay conservative for warranty purposes.

Other than that, I'd probably start inspecting the timing belt every 10k miles or so just to be on the safe side.

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Originally Posted by XJCasper

Actually, I am probably better in my Aveo maintenance than any other toy I have had.

Free oil changes. I always make the appointment as soon as I realize I am hitting 3000 miles. Comes quickly.

With the lack of power in this car, I am concerned into keeping her at her peak.

At 60,000 miles the Timing Belt WILL be changed.

At 90,000, I will probably replace the Thermostat housing, if it has not left me stranded.

This is my commuter, it needs to keep running.

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are they known to be problematic.. ??

The Timing Belt? Yes

The Thermostat housing? Not as bad, but i don't want to be left stranded anywhere.

(not speaking for him just speaking from others experience)

most aveos have a plastic housing that in experience become brittle with age and can crack easily.
There is a metal housing available, that is a direct bolt on. and will not crack. And its cheap so why not replace it to prevent dumping the coolant.

Well there's not much to do on these 2009's. The oil change light comes on when it's need. The plugs are good for 100,000. I just check the levels every so often when I'm under the hood and keep the girl clean.
(I wonder why everyone thinks these cars are under powered. I can't complain at all, but it could be the way I can whip through the gears like they aren't even there. I can lay rubber as long as I want and keep up to any car in my class or beat them. Now with that said, I'm not going to race my friends Z07 Vet. with over 500 horses and he knows how to drive it too. I think more drivers should learn what there car can really do before complaining what they can't.)

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Originally Posted by petrified.rabbit

(not speaking for him just speaking from others experience)

most aveos have a plastic housing that in experience become brittle with age and can crack easily.
There is a metal housing available, that is a direct bolt on. and will not crack. And its cheap so why not replace it to prevent dumping the coolant.

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rabbit, is it available for the aveo or is it a bolt on from another car? Can I go to the dealer and ask him for the metal thermostat housing and get it that way? Or do I need to go online for that? I wouldn't mind doing it just to be on the safe side.

read through the thread:

http://www.aveonetwork.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=367

will do. thank you.

I change the oil every 3,000 Miles and change the spark plugs with NGK Platinum every 30,000 miles like it says in the owners manual. At 76,540 miles I changed the rear wheel hub, 85,670 changed Radiator and flushed the system, at 85,699 changed drivebelt should have seen that coming. Finally at 87,697 I changed the Power Steering pump. The car had to be on blocks for two weeks while the part had to come from Korea. Now I have to wait to get a Fuel Filter for this car when it comes available or can anyone who reads this tell me where can I order one My local dealership that is thirty miles from me said it is nonservicable. The car currently has 91,600miles and has another 800 miles to go for an oil change. One piece of advice don't let your parents take it out for a spin.

just did my timing belt kit (with tensioner etc), water pump and metal thermostat housing

next time will need to be the plugs, wires, oil change, accessorybelt+tensioner

I don't think the rad was ever flushed before, so got that done .. but didn't change the rad or hoses, they seemed ok..

48000 miles with only oild changes, started using syn. at 42000 and thats it

I've been pretty good about changing the oil on most of my cars. When I first got the Aveo, I changed the Oil to 5W-30 Full Synthetic AMSOil and WIX filter, when I hit 5k since I did that, I will be changing to AMSOil "Absolute Efficiency" filter and probably to their 0W-30 Signature full synthetic oil.
Changed my front brake disks to cross-drilled and slotted with some ceramic pads from R1 concepts at around 30k miles, changed out spark plugs at around the same time (to NGK Iridium with matching NGK wires).

Replaced tires (with wheels altogether, LOL)...

I try to do "preventive" maintenance as opposing to "unscheduled" maintenance if that makes sense. That's why I'm looking into changing my thermostat housing to metal sometime in the near future, but kind of been putting it off since I'm only at around 30k.

Also planning on doing an engine flush with AMSOil engine flush stuff (some liquid in a bottle)... seemed to work on my HHR quite well, I checked the oil color right before I did it and it was only a little darker than going in (after 9 or 10k miles with one WIX filter change in the middle) and after idling the engine for about 15 minutes or so with the flush liquid in it the oil came out BLACK... It did take quite a bit of stuff out (hopefully just gunk, nothing useful).

So that's my maintenance up to date...

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Originally Posted by serega12

I've been pretty good about changing the oil on most of my cars. When I first got the Aveo, I changed the Oil to 5W-30 Full Synthetic AMSOil and WIX filter, when I hit 5k since I did that, I will be changing to AMSOil "Absolute Efficiency" filter and probably to their 0W-30 Signature full synthetic oil.
Changed my front brake disks to cross-drilled and slotted with some ceramic pads from R1 concepts at around 30k miles, changed out spark plugs at around the same time (to NGK Iridium with matching NGK wires).

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Notice any difference going to synthetic?
My plugs seem ok for now but will probably need to change them and wires in near future.
How do you like those R1 brakes?

When I first bought my 2004 Aveo it had 97000 Km on it and I got the timing belt done right away. I didn't bother doing it myself since the shop I took it to charged me $170 including the timing belt. I'll do the water pump when I do my next timing belt change. After that I did an oil change which I do every 5000 Km. I also changed the spark plugs, spark plug wires and serpentine belt.. The valve cover gasket was leaking at the back so I changed that also, and I had the coolant system flushed.

In the OEM manual it recomends that you flush your brake fluid every 2 years but I had mine done when my back wheel ceased on me. But from now on I'll probably do it as preventative maintenance.

Right now I'm waiting to get my metal thermostat housing. Hopefully it will get here this week and I'll do it next weekend.

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Originally Posted by byron84

Notice any difference going to synthetic?
My plugs seem ok for now but will probably need to change them and wires in near future.
How do you like those R1 brakes?

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Byron, biggest difference when you go synthetic is that oil stays cleaner for a lot longer. If you go with paper element filter (Purolator, WIX, your choice), they say it should be changed every 5k. AMSOil dealer I go through (he's been doing it since 87 I think) says that I can use their "Absolute Efficiency" filter for as long as I keep my oil in there, so around 15-20k in my case... Like I said earlier, in HHR it stayed almost the same as when I put it in (still clear at almost 10k miles with one filter change at 5k). With Aveo it's still too early to tell. I got it right after my contract with the NAVY ended so I'm not doing any crazy commutes anymore. I've only put 2-3k miles on it since January.

As far as performance/MPG improvement goes, I really can't say, since I've done so many things around the same time too (CAI, full exhaust, Iridium spark plugs, etc...) I can't tell what improved what. I could definitely tell that the car pulls better when I installed each the full cat back exhaust, then the CAI, and then when I installed the header.

R1 brakes seem to be stopping better. I think between my R1 Brakes and a lower profile wider tires (205/40/17) and not expecting it to stop like a car with ABS, I'm yet to make it slide while braking (except on purpose with e-brake). It stops quick and in a pretty short distance, and that's taking into account our always rainy weather and wet roads. 8)

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Originally Posted by johnygogo

In the OEM manual it recomends that you flush your brake fluid every 2 years but I had mine done when my back wheel ceased on me. But from now on I'll probably do it as preventative maintenance.

Right now I'm waiting to get my metal thermostat housing. Hopefully it will get here this week and I'll do it next weekend.

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you know what, I bet that's much needed on mine. I haven't done the brake fluid and I've had the car for around 2 years, and who knows if/when it was done before then.

the metal thermostat housing is easy and definitely a must do !

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Originally Posted by byron84

you know what, I bet that's much needed on mine. I haven't done the brake fluid and I've had the car for around 2 years, and who knows if/when it was done before then.

the metal thermostat housing is easy and definitely a must do !

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I still need to do both.

i forgot i did my spark plugs with the same ones as yours, though i need some power steering fluid, and maybe the thermostat, but with my driving and hot temps, it still has held togther well, i wonder if it is just a rare part defect, though a cheap fix makes it an easy fix altogther

Yep, the small cost and work to fix it preemptively vs the annoyance of it breaking randomly (even if you don't drive on it after you realize the fact) ... I think it's worth just doing it.

anyone done their brake fluid ... how much work is that?

I wouldn't bother bleeding the brakes unless you have a mushy brake pedal. Replacing the fluid has nothing to do with drum brakes seizing.

Sorry, I think I worded that the wrong way. What I meant by breaking randomly was the thermostat housing (plastic) could fail at an unexpected time, being an annoyance. I wasn't talking about any drum brakes seizing. My bad.

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.

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

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..

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Originally Posted by 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

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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

"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

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?

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.

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.

i only use JDM parts and oil

I go 2500 miles for a few reasons 1) I dont pay for oil since I get it from work 2) it keeps my engine that much cleaner 3) it makes me feel like I'm doing stuff to my car even though it's just basic maintanance which in turn saves me from going on a binge and installing every accessory autozone stocks. Modifying cars is like a drug for me be it autozone shwag or the finest sticky from Japan. If I was using synthetic, I'd change it every 5000 miles. and like rabbit said, you'll find an interval your comfortable with. And yes Hunter, I use only the finest JDM oils of the land

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Originally Posted by Ratchet104

I go 2500 miles for a few reasons 1) I dont pay for oil since I get it from work 2) it keeps my engine that much cleaner 3) it makes me feel like I'm doing stuff to my car even though it's just basic maintanance which in turn saves me from going on a binge and installing every accessory autozone stocks. Modifying cars is like a drug for me be it autozone shwag or the finest sticky from Japan. If I was using synthetic, I'd change it every 5000 miles. and like rabbit said, you'll find an interval your comfortable with. And yes Hunter, I use only the finest JDM oils of the land

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that is good to hear

As of now I'm just intermediate in following the maintenance schedules, which right now it sit at around 35K miles and basically all I do is change the oil every 3K at the dealer but now the car is due so I'm putting full synthetic. I changed the plastic thermostat housing since I service rep told me about it in when these are known to brake and doing damage to the engine or something like that therefore they replaced it with the metal one, also I don't follow much the procedure in the manual as I think if something breaks I fix it otherwise I leave it untouched. Next, will be a coolant flush, spark plugs and wires will be replaced and maybe at 50K or less a transmission fluid flush other than that nothing else since the car is trouble free as of now.