I wanted to put this out there as a friendly reminder to all of you guys (and gals!) to not overlook the small stuff and properly maintain your rides! Especially now with the holiday season coming up and the fluctuating gas prices, spending more money is not a top priority if it can be avoided but stretching out maintenance can cost you big in the end! I am here to help and with over 209,000 miles on my 2004 xB I have done plenty of preventative mainance to my own car and would like to share some of the basics that need to be addressed. As all internet info goes take this as you may but this is how I do it. The list was kept to 10 items even though I snuck a few others in! Feel free to add or comment.

1. Oil and Oil Filter Change every 3500 miles if using a mineral based oil or use a quality synthetic like Motul and stretch it to 7500 but still replace the filter at 3500 and top off the oil level at that time. As a note I gained 2mpg when switching to synthetic and my idle seems smoother!

2. Air Filter - Change or clean if you have a reusable filter (AEM Dryflow is a great open element CAI solution as you don’t need to oil it!) Remove the filter and inspect for cleanliness as depending on your driving conditions will dictate when it needs attention. I normally service every second oil change.

3. Brake Pads and Rotors. Don’t wait until they are grinding to fix them: ridges, grooves as well as vibration or surging all point to wear but you can have a local shop look at them to make sure. When it comes time to replace use a high quality pad like Axis Deluxe or Axis Ultimate paired with a Stoptech or PowerSlot Rotor.

4. Ensure you have the correct tire pressure in all tires and rotate the tires every 5000 miles. On the tires check with the manufacturer on correct pressure and rotation order but most performance tires will just change front to back on the same side due to the tread pattern and rim design. Don’t forget to check the tires for abnormal wear as well. Worn shock / struts, incorrect pressure, and bad alignment all play factors here. While you are at it check the pressure in your spare tire and torque your wheel lugs!

5. Take care of any corrosion around your battery terminals with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and baking soda use a metal brush to scrub both terminals and cable ends then flush the mix off with clean water. Hint when disconnecting the battery always remove the negative lead first and replace last and use some gloves while scrubbing the mix. *Don’t get the build up or mix on you as it is a chemical*

6. Spark Plugs, I recommend NGK Iridium IX and I change them around 30,000 miles. Install is fairly easy gap a set of new plugs to what is in your owner’s manual take out the old and put in the new (use a little anti-seize on the threads) you can check out a basic YouTube clip of a Scion xB plug install on my xB here.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1ODP0jmM88

7. Transmission fluid (and filter on automatic) change at 50,000 miles. I know the book usually says something way different but it doesn’t cost that much and my car always seems to shift nicer after it’s done! On the automatic you may want a shop to do it as the pan has to be dropped usually resulting in a big mess!

8. Clean your car! Let’s overlook the fact that your car will look nice and shiny and focus on the maintenance aspect. While washing look for paint chips that you can fill with touchup to prevent rust, look for cracking weather stripping, loose items and worn wiper blades. All this gives you a moment to connect with your car! Take a moment to clean the interior windows as well to give clear visibility and vacuuming the fries out from under the seats as well as dropping in a new air freshener is always a hit with the passengers!

9. Brake and lights – test headlight high and low beam operation, turn signals front and rear, rear running lights while headlights are on, hazard lights and horn as well as the brake and backup lights. The last two can be done easy enough if you can park where you can see your cars reflection like in a store window.

10. Fluid check – Oil, coolant and windshield, the transmission can also be checked every once and a while but unless there is a leak you don’t have to look at it as often. All the info is in the manual as to proper levels and how to check but you should also look under the car for any leaks and correct if the spring up.

Hopefully this helps out, I know a bunch of you already do the above and more but some people might need some hints on some good areas to check out to keep their cars running well and for a long time! I am always available via the forums or email for any questions.

 

These are excellent tips to keep any car in good working order, especially our scions and toyotas!

 

um on #5

when you mix vinegar and baking soda it puts off water and CO2 so your essentially using water....

 

You could just use soda pop as well, it works, then wash the sticky with water.

 

i think your partially right, but i believe it gives off hydrogen gas, water, and salt....not to be a professor here or anything....

anyways...for the original poster...nice tips!

 

#1 when switching the synthetic oil, change it every 75000 miles? but replace the filter every 3500?

 

Standard oil and filters start to drop off around 4000 miles so while a synthetic oil will maintain itself longer the filter has lost it's peak about halfway through.

 

Good write up

anyway have you ever been forced to go to the dealership or a shop because of a major problem? Or are you at 200k miles all with regular maintenance; if so good job lol.

 

Very useful post!!!

Serves as a great reminder!!!

 

I have only done TSB issues at dealers all other maint has been done by myself or at friends shops, I like to support people I know!

 

Lol friends shop? as in Gabes. haha Anyway so nothing Major as in engine internals or replacing tranny? Well thats good to know. My integ made it to 300k Lol. Reliable cars FTW.

 

For sure, Gabe has been a big part of making sure everything is cool. I just swapped the motor at 210,000 as i wanted to run the turbo on it full time and even though the other motor has been great I don't want to push my luck to far! Only things that were changed before that besides regualar maint items like plugs, and fluids were the belts and battery.