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Can you guys tell me how long I should go before my first transmission fluid change? I have a 2005 Toyota Tacoma and a 2011 Rav4 just purchased. How about tune-ups? How long can they go between tune-ups?
The word "tune up" is pretty much an anachronism, referring to the old mechanical distributor points that had to be changed periodically because of spark buildup on the points, lubrication loss in the rotor, weak condenser, etc.
The only part of a "tune up" that remains is the spark plugs and wiring. Those can't be done on a mileage schedule, because the deterioration of both are subject to conditions that can be highly variable from one car or driver to another.
If you feel that your car is starting or running sluggishly, and there are no fault codes, have the spark plugs looked at and check the spark plug wires for insulation gaps that allow spark to escape. Plug fouling can be a result of the quality of the fuel you are using, or larger eventstaking place in your engine as it ages. Wiring can be affected by weather extremes, exposure to fluids, or even animals getting under your hood and chewing them. Any of those can happen much sooner tha the recommended tune-up interval, which nowadays is I think around 100,000 miles.
Most of the time your engines computer will alert you to the need of a "tune up" Its called the check engine light.
Doesn't that go on from an odometer command, and has nothing to do with anything except alerting you that your odometer had reached a certain number of pre-set miles?
It's actually called "the %#@&# check engine light".
Honda calls for a 120,000 mile / 6 year interval change; however, many Honda owners and technicians go by the 30,000 or 60,000 mile mark. And please do not take it somewhere that may hard flush the transmission (it could cause trouble), just simply drain and re-fill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtur88
Doesn't that go on from an odometer command, and has nothing to do with anything except alerting you that your odometer had reached a certain number of pre-set miles?
It's actually called "the %#@&# check engine light".
I think you may be getting confused with the "maintenance minder" light. If the check engine light comes on do not ignore it.
Doesn't that go on from an odometer command, and has nothing to do with anything except alerting you that your odometer had reached a certain number of pre-set miles?
Not necessarily. Sometimes there is an algorithm involved that takes into account outside air temperature, individual trip duration, driver's driving style, etc. as well as total miles driven. From Chevrolet literature on their change oil now light:
The beauty of the GM system is that it automatically adjusts the oil-change interval based upon engine characteristics, your driving habits, and the climate in which you have been operating your vehicle. For instance, mild highway driving in a warm climate will maximize the interval between required oil changes. Depending on the vehicle, this could be as high as 12,000 miles. On the other hand, short-trip driving in a cold climate may limit the interval between oil changes to 3,000 miles or less. In general, most people who combine city and highway driving find that the GM system will indicate the vehicle needs an oil change every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. Most people maintain consistent driving habits. This means their mileage between required oil changes will be consistent.
BMW is another car builder who uses a complicated algorithm for their service engine now light that is based on more than just total miles driven.
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