Modern-Day Maintenence Schedules

[FastWoman]

Hi all,

I've been spreadsheeting the service records on my Z and am working on a section that will flag me when maintenance items come due. I've been setting the schedules according to the recommendations in the Warranty and Service Booklet. Unfortunately those recommendations are 30 yr old. Things have changed in that time -- oil chemistries, coolant chemistries, hydraulic fluids, rubber formulations. Even what we "know" about essential things like motor oils has changed. Give all that, would anyone care to suggest updated service schedules for the following items?

Per the Warranty and Service Booklet:

plugs (15,000 mi / 1 year)

brake fluid (15,000 mi/ 1 year)

oil/filter (7,500 mi / 1 year)

coolant (30,000 mi / 2 years)

gear oil (30,000 mi / 2 years)

inspect hoses and belts (15,000 mi / 1 year)

lube steering, suspension, axle joints (30,000 mi/ 1 year)

rotate tires (15,000 mi / 1 year)

How would these service intervals have changed over the years? Also what items would you add, in the interest of competeness?

Thanks, everyone!

Peace,

Sarah

Edited November 2, 2009 by FastWoman

[TomoHawk]

Pertaining to a vintage Z, your maintenance schedule also depends on how much or how often your drive your car. Mine only gets about 1000 miles a year, so should I change the oil every three years? Probably not. OTOH, I usually drive several nights a week to a cruise in, most of which are less than 5 miles from home, so that's considered an 'extreme driving condition' and so is the occasional autocross or twisty roads tour/poker run.

IMO, whatever schedule you might see in a book or owner's manual is probably the maximum interval before maintenance, and since we know our cars and do the work ourselves, it's much less expensive, and can do what's needed at the right time (proactively, of course) instead of the general schedules you see in the book.

Piece!

Edited November 1, 2009 by TomoHawk

[FastWoman]

Well, OK then... Yes, what you say is true. However, things have changed. Taking the motor oil example, Nissan would have told you to change your oil (under your low mileage conditions) once every year back in 1978. Current thinking is that 1 year is too long under any conditions, and I've seen recommendations for as few as 3 months and as many as 6 months.

Assuming our cars generally get more years than miles on them (which is even my own case, even though my car is a driver)........

Antifreeze -- traditionally every 2-3 years, but longer life antifreezes are good for 4-5 years. They have more/better/longer lasting oxidation preventatives now.

Gear oil -- I have no idea, but I imagine the new synthetics should last pretty long.

[TomoHawk]

I would then say the relative frequency of the service is what you'd go for. Like changing the motor oil the most often, then coolant and spark plugs ever year or two (or three,) etc.

[FastWoman]

Nah, doesn't work like that.

For instance, antifreeze breaks down over time, and there are additives to neutralize the breakdown products, thereby protecting the engine from corrosion. Once all the additives have been chemically consumed, the antifreeze becomes corrosive to the engine. Obviously you want to change the stuff out before that happens.

Brake fluid slowly absorbs moisture from the air. This lowers its boiling point (thus courting brake failure) and also corrodes the various brake parts. I don't know whether regular usage and thermal cycling helps to rid the fluid of any of its moisture content. However, when the moisture content reaches a certain point, your parts start deteriorating.

Most fluids are on some sort of a time scale, whether they get used a lot or not. How fast they deteriorate is often technology driven (e.g. motor oils, coolant), hence my question.

[TomoHawk]

That's what I was just saying

[moritz55]

Here's been my schedule.

I have now owned the car for 4 years and have put ~5500miles on it. I do not use synthetic oils. For motor oil I use Valvoline VR1 racing (with higher zinc) and add ZDDP (4oz) with every change. My approach has been to use a lot of guidance from this forum in establishing the schedules below.

Plugs - 1 year (In Spring when put on the road) - I use NGK's and have 2 sets so I clean, re-gap and re-use a set for following year. Just started 2nd cycle - will replace both sets in 2years depending on how they look. I have a MSD 6A and Mallory Promaster Coil so I have to watch for Tip break-down. I Gap to .060" due to such large spark.

Oil & Filter - 1 year (I change the oil annually in Fall before storage, 20W50 Valvoline add 4oz ZDDP).

Coolant - 3-4 years (Prestone 50/50 mix), check for leaks monthly. Changed it 2 years ago.

Air & Fuel Filters - Annually. K&N Air Filter, clean it in Spring. Fuel Filter replace with new after burning up old Gas and when installing Cleaned/New plugs.

Brake Fluid - 7-10 years (drained & cleaned 4years ago - 5years more to go or sooner if a leak occurs. Check it monthly for leaks, topped it up last year. I do have 4w discs: Toyota 4X4 fronts and Maxima Rears - 1982/83 vintage) Can't remember if I use DOT4 or DOT5 as I'm traveling in Asia on business this week.

5spd Manual Trans/R200 Differential Gear oil - 10 years (used 75W90 Valvoline, just changed tranny when I replaced the Speedo O-rings this year, had a small leak to correct. Differential changed last year)

Inspect Hoses - Monthly check.

Lube Jobs: Steering, U-Joints, Suspension Grease fittings - Annually. When I have the car NYS Inspected on the lift. (in Spring when put on the road).

Tire Rotation - 5000 miles. I have Bridgestone Potenza Pole Positions A/S directionals; so Front -to- Back only rotation. Just bought new ones and upgraded my suspension with Urethanes (and greased them) to resolve Rear End alignment issues. Had car re-aligned with new tires.

Urethane Bushings - Just upgraded this past year so will Grease Annually in Spring Time ( or if a sqeak if any occurs).

Good luck .. and publish this information when you summarize it for us. It will be useful.

Many thanks for starting this thread...

Edited November 2, 2009 by moritz55

[d240zx2]

Maintenance? It's a Nissan! I don't need no freakin' maintenance!

[TomoHawk]

Don't forget to change the fuel filter annually.