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

P-C, you really should have had your oil changed at least twice.

Oh! I've had my oil changed on schedule. I wasn't counting that as "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

That's the stuff I'm talking about. Those mileage interval checkups. Where they change all your fluids and tighten bolts and lubricate hinges and maybe replace your air filter and shit and then charge you $400 and I'm like what. What about rotating tires? Is that a thing I should get done? My local Mazda place has an oil change/tire rotation special. They also have a "6 Month Minor Maintenance" special that seems to be $40 more to "Lubricate hinges, locks, and latches" and "Inspect engine coolant level." Really, that's $40 worth of work?

Timelies all!

Taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi at the airport before we head to Florida.

P-C, I tend to do maintenance every 15,000 miles. That's just me, though.

Sherlock Holmes is going to be our Christmas movie. And next year, Peter Jackson comes through with the holiday entertainment again. Now if only Hubby can come through on NOT having a holiday heart attack at the screening again.

I do want to express some gratitude to the universe, though, for the improved financial condition Hubby and I are in. He had a crown break off with a good bit of the remaining tooth, as well as having a filling come out. We went to a new dentist, who told us the upfront cost would be a bit higher because our insurance office is closed today and they couldn't get things approved. So we dropped a couple of hundred bucks, and when we got home I checked the bank account. Even after that payment, we're in a comfortable spot, especially since payday is less than a week away. We don't need another multi-K medical bill, but praise be, it's not the catastrophic financial bombshell it's been in the past.

P-C, take a look at your owner's manual--it'll tell you, and it might be less than you think. And then consider if you really want to do the 30K/60K/whatever at the dealership--you can probably get it cheaper at some other car place (and then if they tell you there's something more wrong, then look into various options)

And yes, you do need to rotate your tires. That way they'll last longer.

I think I might get the oil change/tire rotation thing done next week since I'm overdue for the oil change anyway and then look into the 30K for the future. The manual says I should have gotten a 22.5K, but, hm, it may actually be a few months before I hit 30K, so maybe I should get the 22.5K next month? Thing is, all those things include an oil change, so it's silly to do it right after an oil change. Hm.

I do major maintenance as recommended by my dealer/owners manual, every 15K miles.

Inspired by this conversation, I think Tom and I will go see Sherlock Holmes on Christmas as well!