How Often Do You Change Your Car's Fluids? Preventative Maintenenace Schedule

[Pags44]

Hey guys, for some of us we don't drive our DeLoreans as much as a daily driver. My question is, at what point do you change your engine oil and other fluids in the car? My last change was about 6 months ago. Since then, I've probably only driven the car 250 miles or so. Of course the 3 months or 3,000 mile rule sticks in the back of my head, but I don't really drive the car.

What schedule should I be on in preventative maintenance
?

Thanks!

[David T]

When you have a car that gets very little mileage per year you cannot service it based on mileage. You have to do things based on a time interval. Assuming the car is in good, running condition here is my recommendation:
Tires every 7 years or so based on visual condition
Battery every 5 years or less based on load testing annually
Wiper blades every other year
Brake and clutch fluid every other year
Coolant tested every year (strength, ph, and pressure test) and replaced every 5
Motor oil and filter every other year
Chassis lube and under-carriage inspection every year
Struts as needed
Treat the leather each year
Wipe the door seals with protectant yearly
Tune-up as needed based on MPH
Windscreen washer fluid every other year
Water pump and all hoses every 10 years
Each year the car should be inspected thoroughly including the electrical system and all accessories.
With this schedule you should never break down unexpectedly which is the main reason for a maintenance schedule.
David Teitelbaum

[stevedmc]

I change my coolant every time I remove/replace my radiator which is about once a year these days.

[thirdmanj]

I change my coolant every time I remove/replace my radiator which is about once a year these days.

Why all the radiator troubles?

Edit: Shit, strike that. Stay on topic. My bust.

[Farrar]

I change the oil every 5,000 miles. Over the course of two years, the mysterious disappearing antifreeze problem of my car means that I have dumped two gallons of coolant in it anyway, so I don't bother draining and re-filling every two years. :lol: The final drive gear oil was changed when the output flange seals were replaced. I have not replaced the brake or transmission fluid since I bought the car in 2007..... Hm, maybe I should do that. :P

Farrar

[Delorean Industries]

You should replace your oil every 3,000 or 3 months in a Delorean. Between blow by (which happens on every engine in the world) and how K jet is a CIS system contaminating the oil,a lot junk ends up in the crank case. Not to mention moisture which builds from the heating and cooling process of running the engine.

I'm excited to see the argument that results on this subject. There is a reason though high end collectors stick to strict maintenance like this.

[Farrar]

Oil is a lot cleaner than it used to be. 30 years ago, the 3,000-mile rule made sense, but 5,000 is what I was advised by a mechanic. Granted, he was not a "high end collector"-- he drove his vehicles.

But never mind. Let the bullshit fly! This is fun! :lol:

Farrar

[opethmike]

I change my brake and clutch fluids every two years. The same for coolant. I change my oil twice a year. The car gets around 2k miles a year.

Transmission oil is every two years as well.

[jfirios]

i try to do my oil ever 2k miles and have a magnet on the drain plug and attatch an old speaker magnet to the bottom of the filter that way any metal particles get attracted to the magnets and stay out of the system. :)

[Dangermouse]

You should replace your oil every 3,000 or 3 months in a Delorean.

Josh, are you recommending 3000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first?

So if you only do 1000 miles a year, you should change the oil 4 times a year?????