Car hypochondriac?

[ls1mike]

So I was a Submariner for 12 years and work at a facility that specializes in Submarine maintenance. I work with ex sub guys, Mechanics, engineers and well, in genaral a bunch of anal folks, who take maintenance seriously. So I mentioned my latest oil analysis, I got a bunch of chuckles and one guy even called me a "Car hypochondriac".

Are we out of control here when a bunch of people who mantain Submarines think we are weird?

 

[dparm]

I am a bit OCD about the car, sure. I tend to replace parts more often than they likely need it, oil included.

 

[hardcore302]

We are just slightly over the top, yes. But that's good.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

+1 agreed, over the top. and thats just your average BITOGer, some folks on this site take it to a whole new level ! but thats ok, i will lurk and read what they spend hours researching and UOAing and take full advantage of there hard work with my decision making process in products used.. so thank you !

 

[ls1mike]

I did my last oil analysis to make sure my intake manifold gasket repair worked. It did. Happy times!

 

[01rangerxl]

I get accused of over-maintaining cars by some people, but it makes me happy, it keeps my truck running strong, and saves me money overall. When I do take it to a shop, I'm not afraid of what I might hear because I know condition of the truck from bumper to bumper.

My roommate is my age (24). Just today I taught him how to change a tire. I literally had to show him step by step. He has learned checking and adding oil though, and is aware that his Jeep uses ATF+4 in the trans.

 

[nleksan]

For the most part, I would sooner buy a car from an active member of this site than just about anyone else!

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: nleksan
For the most part, I would sooner buy a car from an active member of this site than just about anyone else!


Very true!

 

[wirelessF]

I guess I'm kinda over the top when it comes to car maintenance. When I acquired a free beater nissan sentra, I changed all the fluids, ATF, PS, brake fluid, the works.

I've been recently been doing maintenance on my aunts 04 BMW 325i. I'll charge her for materials when I service her car, and I'll throw in some extra maintenance for free.

 

[Nick R]

I'd agree that most BITOGers are a little over the top, but nothing wrong with that imo. Also, it's worth mentioning, since my dad works on submarines, that they have stuff break all the time, anyway

 

[Smoky14]

Aircraft mechanic here, and over maintaining is a way of life. It gets real quiet up there when the engines quit running, and pulling to the side of the road is not an option.
To me it's just a way of life.

 

[Virtuoso]

I used to be anal. Now I do just enough to keep my car's "healthy" and safe to drive. I buy 'em and practically run them into the ground.

Because of BITOG I now: Use less oil and filters; change my air filter's about half as often (if that); and save myself time and money. Well, at least money. I spend too much time on the board to call it a savings!

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
I used to be anal. Now I do just enough to keep my car's "healthy" and safe to drive. I buy 'em and practically run them into the ground.

Because of BITOG I now: Use less oil and filters; change my air filter's about half as often (if that); and save myself time and money. Well, at least money. I spend too much time on the board to call it a savings!

I have actually noticed the same change with my maintenance habits. Back in high school I was changing air filters every 6 months, oil/filters every 3K, and the PCV valve about once a year. That level of maintenance was redundant, and I have since backed off to 6-8K OCIs (synthetic) and only replacing the a/f when needed. Still, every system on the truck is well maintained and monitored.

 

[PZR2874]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
I used to be anal. Now I do just enough to keep my car's "healthy" and safe to drive. I buy 'em and practically run them into the ground.

Because of BITOG I now: Use less oil and filters; change my air filter's about half as often (if that); and save myself time and money. Well, at least money. I spend too much time on the board to call it a savings!

I have actually noticed the same change with my maintenance habits. Back in high school I was changing air filters every 6 months, oil/filters every 3K, and the PCV valve about once a year. That level of maintenance was redundant, and I have since backed off to 6-8K OCIs (synthetic) and only replacing the a/f when needed. Still, every system on the truck is well maintained and monitored.


But cars made you change your way... Your Monza/Vega/Corvair back in the day NEEDED that special attention...

 

[01rangerxl]

I graduated from high school in 2006. My 2001 Ranger did not need that level of attention, but the next owner sure appreciated it!

 

[Trav]

I over maintain my vehicles but unless i have a good reason e.g certain BMW models, suspect coolant leak and so on i dont bother. Instead i spend the money on an oil change.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Are we out of control here when a bunch of people who mantain Submarines think we are weird?

Yup, especially when we're splitting hair over a couple of ppm on a used oil analysis report.

 

[ddrumman2004]

I'm not the average BIOG poster in that I just do regular maintenance on my vehicles....nothing extra.

Never had an oil analysis done either and usually keep a vehicle until it gets right at 200k miles. Never had one that used oil!

 

[sciphi]

It's made me less anal, if anything. I spend more time posting, and less time working/worrying! Also, it's made me appreciate using good things once, instead of being "cheap" and re-doing a jury-rig many times.

 

[PZR2874]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
I graduated from high school in 2006. My 2001 Ranger did not need that level of attention, but the next owner sure appreciated it!


I was kidding, I assumed you were of the older gen's.

You can never start too early.