I don't want to make seperate posts for this since they both have to do with engine maintenance. Anyway, the first thing has to do with oil changes. I've never changed the oil on my Tib myself. I've done it on other vehicles and on my lowriders, but never on my tib. When I bought my tib, the dealer gave me 10 free oil changes with the purchase. I've always taken it to them to have it done, but I would like to attempt to do it myself. Is a pain in the butt to do, or is pretty standard like most other vehicles?

Second...I received a letter from the dealer saying that I should be up for my 25,000 mile service and I should have my car brought in to have it serviced. What does the dealer do for the 25,000 mile service? Thanks for any help you guys can give. wink

 

The dealer charges you 400 hundred dollars to do a bunch of basic maintenance services at one time..basically, oil, plugs, fluids, etc. etc... Go to your dealer and ask for the brouchure they have.. It tells you basically everything they are going to do and charge you for.. But if you don't get it done.. your check engine light will come on.. Mine did, and I thought something was seriously wrong.. but they won't reset it for you, unless you get the service done there..

Never did my own oil change

[ March 08, 2002, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: Playboy ]

 

I don't know for sure, but I think they also give your engine a tuneup(ie cams etc). but anyway, you can do all that yourself and save yourself a bunch of money if you have a double digit IQ.

About the CEL, find a buddy with a OBD-II cable or similar device, and have him reset it for you.
Any shop will try to rip you off for a hour labor to push a few buttons.

 

Changing the oil is very simple, the pan is right at the bottom of the engine on the passengers side, and the filter is very close to it and easy to access. If you buy the fram filter it will look alot smaller than the stock one, the Part number is PH6607. I've actually changed it before without putting it up on ramps, but they do help! Should take about 4 quarts!

 

Cool thanks. If I get a CEL, I'll just disconnect the battery and reset it. I always thought that was kind of lame how a CEL gets triggered when you hit a certain mileage and you're forced to go back to the dealer to have it turned off and get regular basic maintenance stuff done. rolleyes.gif Oh well. Thanks again for your help.

 

Ramps are big help in changing the oil. Even if you CAN fit underneath, your head will hit the ground so many times that your skull will develop bumps eek!

Also, make sure to check the quality of the threads on the oil nut for the pan. It only takes one bad turn of the screw from a mechanic in a rush to strip it. I had to order a new one once.

I like to put the money I save by changing my oil into changing my oil more often.

 

And don't do what I did. The drain plug was too tight, so I pushed up on the wrench with all my might.

It broke free, and my hand puched the engine as hard as I could. Left a nice cut and bone-spur on my right index finger. So when you're trying to get out that drain plug, use some Liquid wrench and be careful.

Also, you may want to invest in a filter wrench. The dealers/Jiffy Lube must put the plug and filter on with an impact wrench because they are a bitch to get off the first time.

good luck,
ac

 

I've only had my car back to the dealer 2 times since I bought it 3 yrs ago, and I've never had any CEL come up for hit certain miles. Whats with this? my car is a 99, did they start this with the new body style in 00?

 

check the maintenance section of your owners manual, it tell you what they do at that inspection. Sounds cary, but it's worth it. The car comes out sounding and feeling a lot better!

As for changing the oil, it's not hard at all. The only pain (other than whacking your hand on the bottom of the engine like Curtas - been there - done that smile.gif ), is to get rid of the old oil!

[ March 08, 2002, 03:28 PM: Message edited by: Gleek Tibby ]

 

here is my experience with maintenance.

1. i have always done my own oil changes, ever since i drove the car off the showroom floor brand new.. (i dont trust ANYBODY with my car).

2. what really makes the car feel "new" again after its out of the dealer for the 30,000 mile tuneup is the new sparkplugs and spark plug wires that they install, also, they change the oil for ya. BIG WOOP.

3. when you do your own oil change.. be warned. DO NOT over tighten the drain plug or it WILL STRIP and then you will be TOTALLY F*CKED!.

4. when you replace the oil filter, DOUBLE CHECK and make sure the rubber seal is not stuck to the filter holder... if it remains stuck there, the new filter will not seal and you WILL drain your oil out within a matter of minutes.. if you continue running the engine without knowing the oil has drained, you WILL destroy the bearings/rings/cams and most of the moving parts and you will need to buy a new engine or have it rebuilt.

5. GOOD LUCK smile.gif

6. the CEL light will only come on if there is a problem with the car in some way.

my cel light came on once when my #4 spark plug wire was worn out and it caused a misfire in that cylinder...

smile.gif