Originally posted by MrChad
Your service and/or owners manual will tell you what needs done when.
yeap... it lists everything the dealer should do for each scheduled service. for 60k the list is pretty extensive.. for a 5th gen the list looks like this:
replace engine oil/filter
check engine oil and coolant
replace air cleaner element
inspect valve clearence
replace spark plugs
inspect distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires
inspect/adjust drive belts
inspect idle speed
inspect pcv valve
replace transmission fluid
inspect brakes
replace brake fluid (including abs)
check parking brake
rotate tires
visually inspect:
all fluid levels
tie-rod ends, steering gear box, boots
suspension components
driveshaft boots
cooling system hoses, connections
exhaust system
fuel pipes, hoses, connections
getting all the scheduled services will increase the resale value, as long as you keep the records.
i see your info says you are in the bay area? are you anywhere near milpitas? i took my car to exact motorsports a few weeks ago for my 60k service. the dealer wanted about $500, i think, and i paid about $470 at exact (the cost for a 5th gen could easily be different, mind you). the difference isn't that much, but instead of just inspecting the drive belts AND distributor cap/rotor, they replaced all of them. they also replaced the valve cover gasket and valve cover washer seals. already well worth it compared to the dealer.
i think you should get the opinion of an experienced mechanic (that you can trust) on whether or not you really need to get these scheduled services done. getting regular inspections and such is always a good idea. there are plenty people that don't get the scheduled services and never (or haven't yet) run into any problems. so their opinions are going to be that you shouldn't do it, and that its a waste of money. but their opinions are based on their own experiences, not based on technical experience with cars. if something does go wrong, and you could have found it sooner and saved more money by doing some services, it would have been worth it in the end. so, its a choice.. definately all of the fluid replacements need to be done, as well as the spark plugs. as for the other stuff, i really think you should just ask a mechanic what you should do. even if you don't get the service done there, call up exact and ask for john, and ask for his opinion. he'll give you a straight answer, even if you're not going to give him business :thumbup: