Maintenace, am I missing anything?

[440interceptor]

2002 Toyota Echo, 22,000 miles..5 speed manual.
I've had it dealer maintained since new, always on time with all papers kept.

Here's what's been maintained up to this point besides lube/oil/filter.

*Standard transmission fluild changed once so far.
*Coolant replaced once.
*Spark plugs changed once.
*Rotated tires every year.
*Air filter changed once.

That's it. Have gone by the recomended Toyota maintenance intervals.

The car is due for maintenance & I'm planning to have the lube/oil/filter...60 month check-up including tire rotation, coolant replacement, new air filter, manual transmission fluid change.

With all the new technologies on cars these days are there parts that should be replaced other than what I mentioned? (now keep in mind, I don't know sqaut about cars these days)

What about things like pcv valve, fuel filter etc..Toyota doesn't mention any of these items or any other item other than the basics.
Any advice from you folks who know cars & or work on them would be appreciated.

One other thing, in the maintenance manual I was given when I bought the car said the timing belt should be replaced after 7 years but when I asked the guy who works the desk in the dealer service department, he said it wasn't needed on my Echo as it has a chain that doesn't require replacement...anyone know if this is true about the 2002 Echo?

 

[ThirdeYe]

Yes that is correct, it is chain driven. As for replacing it, I would only do that maybe once every 100k. I'm more used to dealing with belts, though. My old Nissan had a chain and I never replaced it, and sold it at 128k with no issues...

 

[440interceptor]

Good to know ThirdeYe, thanks for that!

Anyone know about how often a fuel filter should be changed & other things like pcv valve?

 

[ThirdeYe]

I change my filter & pcv every 60,000 but personally I don't think it's necessary. With a fuel filter some people never even change them. PCV's are more important though, so I would get that changed

then not worry about it again for another 6 years or so.

 

[Virtuoso]

Fuel filter, perhaps every 60k; that's how often I replace them. PCV valve perhaps just as often.

Chain's usually don't require replacement at a certain interval. That is supposed to be the one big advantage they have over belts.

Only 22k miles and you're going on your third air filter? I think you could probably wait longer than that unless you're in a dusty environment.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

---

*Coolant replaced once.

---

That's something you could definitely start doing more often. Changing it one time in 22,000 miles is really slacking off in my opinion. I drain my radiator every 6 months regardless of mileage. At that interval, I don't have to worry about coolant flushes; I just drain the radiator and refill it with fresh coolant and distilled water mixed 50/50.

 

[01rangerxl]

Coolant should be fine well past 22,000 miles.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

---

Coolant should be fine well past 22,000 miles.

---

That all depends on how long you plan on keeping the car. I myself tend to keep cars for 15 years or longer; doing so requires the inside of the engine to be free of corrosion and acid build up, which can happen to an engine that has had coolant kept inside it for too long.

 

[Lonnie]

I wonder how long these newer chain drives are going to last. The one in my 78 Toyota pickup went to just over 200k with with a replacement of the guides and dampener at about 110k miles. When I changed it it showed wear and had stretched but showed no signs of failure like cracks or rollers that were adversely tracked. On replacement I noticed it gained back it low speed pep an lost some of it's 80mph cruising power. I think the chain allowed the cam to retard an cruising speed allowing better cylinder filling with my after market Webber carb.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

---

The one in my 78 Toyota pickup went to just over 200k with with a replacement of the guides and dampener at about 110k miles.

---

Do you mean the chain guides or the valve guides in the head?

 

[flatlandtacoma]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

*Coolant replaced once.

---

That's something you could definitely start doing more often. Changing it one time in 22,000 miles is really slacking off in my opinion. I drain my radiator every 6 months regardless of mileage.

---

I change the air in my tires every 3 months. I think it really makes a difference!

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

*Coolant replaced once.

---

That's something you could definitely start doing more often. Changing it one time in 22,000 miles is really slacking off in my opinion. I drain my radiator every 6 months regardless of mileage.

---

I change the air in my tires every 3 months. I think it really makes a difference!

---

I use helium in my tires; I find that it improves the ride quality immensely.

 

[Gary Allan]

Try hydrogen if you want that "risque" thrill feeling added to your driving experience.

 

[lars11]

How often do you change the cabin air?

)

 

[johnd]

I wash out old brake fluid every two years (a complete line flush) and the same with power steering every 25K mi. in addition to items noted above.

 

[JakeR22]

22,000 and the plugs have to be changed already? Even the cheapest plugs should go 35k.

 

[440interceptor]

I asked for the price of a pcv valve @ the dealers..$6.00..I'll change it myself..they probably charge $25. to do it.
I had the 60 month service done at the dealers though..tires rotated, oil/lube/filter, new plugs, coolant replaced although when I asked if they flush the coolant system they said no, they just drain it.
Anyone know what brand of Coolant Toyota is (the long life not extra long life, as that's what they've been putting in it)who makes it for them?
I want to start doing my own coolant changes from now on but want the best coolant available, anyone know the type & a very good brand to use? I want to keep this car for years if all works out well. Also, I'm in PEI..near Nova Scotia Canada for those who don't know the area. It can get ____ cold around here from Mid Dec to early April. Then temps vary in summer..between 70 & up to the high 80's.

I also asked while at the dealers about the fuel filter...he & another there said the fuel filter is in the gas tank & should never have to be replaced & if it were needed..the labor cost is high since they have to drop the tank etc.

I know I've replaced the air filter more often than needed..it just seemed easier to let the dealer take care of the maintenance..the five year warranty is up in two days..so from now on I'll just check it myself & replace when it needs it.

As far as the coolant goes, I'm going to have the system completly flushed before summers end just to make sure it's in top shape & then I'll use a top grade coolant in it..not sure how often I should have it changed though after that..some here seem to think every 6 months..others don't think that's required?
How often if I want to keep the car in the best condition possible over many years to come?

I never heard of people removing brake fluid in cars (line flush) or power steering fluid...how common is this?
I don't even know of any shops that do either around these parts..anyone know if this should be done considering I want to keep the car for as many years as I can?

JakeR22..no, the plugs probably were good, I was just going along with the dealers recomended maintenace intervals until the warranty was over.
From now on, I'll check them myself.

Thanks folks

 

[440interceptor]

looks like I can't say dam with an n on here..my post was sensored.