Most neglected maintenance items by most drivers ?

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HTSS_TR

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Had the car at my mechanic to replace fuel filter, while I was there I saw 2 good/clean condition late 1990's BMW and MB there for oil change. Both cars have very dirty/black brake fluid in reservoir, I asked and the owners said they never change brake fluid and power steering fluid, but they changed other fluids according the manual. The other item they never change was cabin air filter.

Both drivers changed oil too often, about 5-6k miles with Mobil 1, but okay with 13-14 years old brake fluid and PSF. My mechanic told me that customers usually don't want to pay $40-50 for complete bleed the brake fluid while he's doing brake job, because they don't see the value/benefit.
 
I'd have to agree with brake fluid and power steering being neglected... ironically, both are fluids which the driver is pretty much directly working with, and obviously are extremely important in terms of safety.

Dead exterior lamps are also strangely neglected. How does one not notice that there is a dead headlight, or dead turn signal (usually it "hyper-flashes")? Vehicles with multiple nonfunctional brake lights also scare me, I try to pass them whenever possible...
 
Probably along the lines of:

1. Power steering
2. Differential/transfer case
3. Transmission 4. Coolant


Reason I don't put brake fluid is most shops get it exchanged as customer does brakes. People are taught to change oil and are pretty good for MOST part at getting it done.
 
Although not as important as the brake fluid and power steering fluid due to safety concerns.....

Another couple of fluids that seem to never get changed until it is too late are the differential fluid and the transmission fluid.
 
Had a kid (late 20's early 30's) bring his truck in with a lot of issues. One (and the primary reason for his visit) was a failed injector that was subject to a recall. Checked the vehicle over and asked him when the last time he had changed his oil. He couldn't remember. We replaced the starter (due to vapor lock because of the injector) under warranty as well. He couldn't understand why the noise in his engine wouldn't be covered under warranty as well. He had only 2 quarts of oil in a 7 quart sump and had been driving it this way for who knows how long? Additonally, the air filter was clogged beyond belief.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Power Steering and Brake Fluid for sure, Differential/TC fluid, PCV Valves, Cabin Air Filters,

And coolant.
Most people its out of sight, out of mind. The oil change is barely in sight and only because of that little sticker.
 
I wish we could sticky this. If it helped a few random visitors to the site to double-take at their maintenance in the out of mind area, it's worth it, IMO.

-Fluid for brake system a definite must! P/S fluid, clutch fluid too.

-Transmission servicing can be overlooked at times!

-PCV valve and system hoses(if PCV valve was ever neglected especially, for instance).

-Replacing dead bulbs(once in a while give all of your bulbs a once over with assistant in the car if you must)

-Re-greasing lubrication joints around suspension(if applicable)

-Checking clutch pedal for possible adjustment over life of vehicle and as the clutch wears

-Rubber boots on drive-axles and steering racks

-Rotating Tires, even if they aren't 'new' or 'under warranty'...and checking pressure by this time at the latest.

-Changing coolant based on app/coolant in use and for how long(time/miles).
 
Most people don't know about car maintenance, but have heard countless stories about auto shop rip offs. So when the shop mentions changing a fluid like brake fluid or power steering fluid, their knee-jerk reaction is to think it's an add on being offered to them to rip them off.

Sadly, even if people don't do the work themselves, simply learning the truth about auto maintenance would help their vehicle for the life of the car
 
Brake fluid and ATF. Most people do not know that brake fluid absorbs moisture and that the transmission pan hold only about 2/5 of the total ATF and that its important to change the transmission filter in addition to the ATF.
 
In domestics so equipped, it has to be the external fuel filter.

I've seen 7 year old vehicles brought in with the oem filter still on. Even diesels arent' changed when they should be.

Don't know what the difference is but a Duramax just won't run with some aftermarket fuel filters. Had many brought in on a tow truck. First comment out of owner's mouth-"Was running fine. I just changed the fuel filter."
 
^Especially in vehicles with fuel filters in a system that has seen 'cleaning' effects from ethanol content more consistently in their gas.

How many people are out there driving around on fuel filters that need changing?

A lady I just serviced had TERRIBLE carbon deposits/soot all over the spark plug threads down at the head itself!!!
eek.gif


The replacement plugs were 'basic' entry level Bosch platinums on an Infinit(
33.gif
) and so I swapped them for the CORRECT NGK plugs of proper heat range.

She had on 'record'(showed me a paper of previous maintenance) a shop printed out that INCLUDED changing her fuel filter a while back

...so this was like less than 10,000 miles(at most) and yet when I changed it, her MPG increased from about 12-13 to 16 or so; and she noted improved power/throttle response on mid-high end of the power band. Ever since that one stop for her vehicle last summer!

Now, IF the other mechanic actually replaced the filter, how on earth would a new one be so poor in quality from the get go? Was it faulty but still allowed the vehicle to be driven? I kind of suspect the other guys didn't change it, at all. What else on their list of "Work Performed" is worth double checking?

stirthepot.gif


ADDED: I had her run a tank full with a bottle of Red Line SI-1 about 2,000 miles after installing the new fuel filter; prior to an oil change and ATF fluid exchange.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
^Especially in vehicles with fuel filters in a system that has seen 'cleaning' effects from ethanol content more consistently in their gas.

How many people are out there driving around on fuel filters that need changing?

A lady I just serviced had TERRIBLE carbon deposits/soot all over the spark plug threads down at the head itself!!!
eek.gif


The replacement plugs were 'basic' entry level Bosch platinums on an Infinit(
33.gif
) and so I swapped them for the CORRECT NGK plugs of proper heat range.

She had on 'record'(showed me a paper of previous maintenance) a shop printed out that INCLUDED changing her fuel filter a while back

...so this was like less than 10,000 miles(at most) and yet when I changed it, her MPG increased from about 12-13 to 16 or so; and she noted improved power/throttle response on mid-high end of the power band. Ever since that one stop for her vehicle last summer!

Now, IF the other mechanic actually replaced the filter, how on earth would a new one be so poor in quality from the get go? Was it faulty but still allowed the vehicle to be driven? I kind of suspect the other guys didn't change it, at all. What else on their list of "Work Performed" is worth double checking?

stirthepot.gif


ADDED: I had her run a tank full with a bottle of Red Line SI-1 about 2,000 miles after installing the new fuel filter; prior to an oil change and ATF fluid exchange.

Yuck. You should clean the throttle body, the throttle body on my Pathfinder could use cleaning at least once a year... (pretty sure you're talking about the QX4 here) and yeah, a partially restricted or clogged fuel filter can definitely impact it, I noticed a huge difference when I changed my fuel filter the first time.

My father had the plugs replaced at Nissan (at exorbitant cost) and he supplied some sort of Bosch plugs as well. I swapped in OEM NGK w/ the specified heat range, but didn't really notice an improvement since the plugs were only about 30k mi used. I'll prolly replace the plugs again at 200k or 220k.
 
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