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Anonymous Poster
Apr 2, 2009, 1:27 PM
Post #1 of 3
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04 cavalier maintence
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i've had this car for 5 years now and dealership recommended a lot of stuff to get done
not being completely familiar with cars and limited on funds what would be the best/most important thingto get taken care of? trans flush? coolantflush? powersteering flush? fuel injection flush?
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flgmtech1
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Apr 2, 2009, 3:13 PM
Post #2 of 3
(1324 views)
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Re: 04 cavalier maintence
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Depndent on mileage, it is essential to maintain them all. Example, the air filter should be checked every oil change, maintaining this is as important as your oil filter, why? The air filter will allow your engine to breathe thus better gas mileage and better preformance and look at it like stuffing a sock into your mouth and then try to run, you have no air flow so you are not going to run to far or to fast! Same with your car, the air coming into the vehicle through your air filter has to be unrestricted and free flowing. This is allows not only good atomization of fuel in your intake but it also allows proper fuel mixture on the PCM part as it monitors the iar flow via the MAF or mass air flow sensor and if the filter is dirty or is allowing debrirs or particulates past it can affect the hair thin sensor on the MAF and skew the readings causing driveability concerns.
The Coolant states 100 thousand miles, as the new DexCool coolant is supposed to last that long, I presonally have not seen this to be true, I recommend every 30K miles as with the Transmission service. I also recommend BG services especially with the Transmission as this completely cleans the torque converter, transmission and cooler lines completley, as it uses 18 quarts of new fluid to force out every drop of your origianl fluid, where as the traditional trans service changed the filter and roughly 7 quarts of fluid and left the old fluid still in the torque converter and the cooler lines which then mixed with the new fluid and contaminated both leaving the transmission still dirty.
The coolant used to be something I recommended once a year especially up north, however Dexcool in a sealed system does last longer but I would still maintain it every 30K.
The brake fluid and Power steering fluid are both equally important and often overlooked, many people fail to realize they also have a life span that breaks down over time. The brake fluid generally absorbs moisture from the air and turns a greenish color and a Litmus test is essential to test for corrosion in the system.Fluid change frequency also depends on where you live as humid conditions are worse than arid ones. For the typical car owner, I suggest changing it every two to three years. But for safety’s sake, I suggest having the fluid checked at least once a year.
Power steering is also important as it is used every time you turn and is being airated as long as the engine is running, thus it brakes down over time when you consider the power steering pump produces high pressure between 800–2000 pounds, with high heat. This leads to fluid breakdown and failure.
Symptoms include groaning and whining noises, erratic steering and pump leaks.
Also if they have not advised you the other things to consider is routine maintenance on your A/C system, Cabin Air Filter if so equipped, brakes GOES With out saying!! All steering and suspension ensuring no play or wear, ensuring proper tire rotation and balance, hose and belt conditions, maintaining the car doors weatherstrips and door glass run channels to ensure proper sealing of doors to body to prevent wind nosie or rain leaks, and the run channels to ensure proper glass travel ease up and down and if you have power windows to make sure that with routine cleaning of the channels and lubrication the glass movement will not be restricted as this drag or restrictions by dry channels and or debris in channels will lead to power window motor drag and eventual burn out or seizure of the motors.
Also lubrication of the door locks and hinges to make sure they close and open properly to prevent bearing wear on the hinges, and or lock up of door locks that will prevent you from being able to open them one day or cause problems witn sticking or noises.
As well as trunk hinges being cleaned and lubricated and inspection of trunk or tailgate shocks to prevent them from falling on your head, as well as the cleaning and lubrication of the hood latch and release cable ensuring proper operation and free movement to prevent the hood from not opening. Also, the battery cables to ensure they are clean and tight and also regular battery testing to ensure proper voltage and charging system tests.
SO!!! Which one is most important? That is hard, as to me, they are ALL important! This is one of your biggest inevestments, never take it for granted, and it will not let you down. I have seen many people whom have over 300,000,miles and they still run great! It is all about how well you mantain them.
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Anonymous Poster
Apr 4, 2009, 7:55 AM
Post #3 of 3
(1313 views)
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Re: 04 cavalier maintence
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wow thanks for the advice i learned alot from that
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