So when do people normally do the "scheduled" maintenance on their cars? Obviously, the mechanics would like you to come in every 5,000 miles, but that's silly. I'm at 23K and don't think I've had any major maintenance (my service history tells me I had one at 7.5K, I guess).

I am disappointed because I was looking at the Christmas movies (a tradition for my sister and I to go to at least two, sometimes three), and there are just about zero I want to see. I will probably vote for Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and maybe Hugo. But everything else just is not intriguing me. What happened to big Christmas releases?? (I guess it's because Christmas is a Sunday). Also, where are my romantic comedies? (Besides "New Year's Eve", which critics have seriously panned)

Finding the Xmas gifts means that I have to clean through All The Cruft. It's OK to toss receipts from the vet, right? It's not like that I can deduct cat expenses from my taxes or anything.

I've found two expired Borders gift certificates and a birthday gift check from my aunt dated 2001. Clearly I should go through this drawer more often.

Wow. I've moved four times since 2001. Oh the drawers I have been through.

Kristen's membership in WGA means we have TOO MANY MOVIES to watch. I also joined the Oscilloscope Circle of Trust and have stuff piled up.

So when do people normally do the "scheduled" maintenance on their cars? Obviously, the mechanics would like you to come in every 5,000 miles, but that's silly. I'm at 23K and don't think I've had any major maintenance (my service history tells me I had one at 7.5K, I guess).

I do it every 5000 miles. I figure I don't know much about cars, so I might as well have someone who does know something make sure everything's running OK, and 5000 miles is when the maintenance light comes on.

I am disappointed because I was looking at the Christmas movies (a tradition for my sister and I to go to at least two, sometimes three), and there are just about zero I want to see.

My family is going to see Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I also want to see Hugo, Sherlock Holmes, and Tintin, but I'll have to see those some other time.

Girl doesn't interest me at all, but I'd cross the street for any of the other three.

So when do people normally do the "scheduled" maintenance on their cars?

When I took mine in for an oil change at ~18,000 miles they went ahead and did a bunch of stuff that was listed as the 20,000 mile checkup. Rotating tires, checking all the fluids and belts and such.

So when do people normally do the "scheduled" maintenance on their cars? Obviously, the mechanics would like you to come in every 5,000 miles, but that's silly. I'm at 23K and don't think I've had any major maintenance (my service history tells me I had one at 7.5K, I guess).

P-C, you really should have had your oil changed at least twice. My suggestion? Follow the recommended maintenance schedule listed in your owner's manual. That is more than sufficient, and it will keep your car covered by the warranty. If you haven't followed the manufacturer recommendations, then they can deny you warranty coverage if something breaks. For example, if you've only had one oil change in 23,000 miles and your engine blows, you're probably on the hook for it. Engines aren't cheap--it could run you $5-8,000 for a new one.

What do you mean by major maintenance? The new cars today don't require a lot of heavy duty work in order to keep running. You shouldn't need to worry about transmission or power steering fluid flushes or anything along those lines. Most manufacturers recommend full check-ups at certain mileage intervals, but you don't always have to have everything checked out as long as you're keeping an eye on the major components and systems. Let me know if you have questions, Sunil.

ION, I just got the get the hell out of the office message. I might not be able to respond until later this evening.

edited for formatting