TLC

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Tue 5 Feb 2002 17:31
TLC - martin
Just how much teneder loving care should a car need?

My 1995 Passat needs its service soon and i was wondering if it might be worth changing the main fluids (break, clutch, PAS, engine oil) all at once as some of these have not been changed in a while? Will over-service be of any real good, is it worth considering other small service points anually or every 5-10 thousand miles. Lastly, can over-servicing cause problems?
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Tue 5 Feb 2002 18:00
Re: TLC - Marcus
You will not harm anything other than your wallet !

Seriously the thing to avoid is to change the oil for a fully synthetic one as this can dislodge a whole load of cr*p which may be lurking in your oilways.

It sounds like a good idea to change the brake fluid etc, this is specified in the service intervals on VWs - so check whether it has recently been done.

I am suspicious that Car manufacturers under-specify service intervals as it is not in their interest for the car to last forever............... plus it appeals to the fleet buyer.
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Tue 5 Feb 2002 18:08
Re: TLC - martin
In fact when i telephoned VW here in Kent concerning servicing, they seemed pretty dispondent. They recommend only changing oil every 10,000 and break and PAS every 25,000. However a mechanic friend of mine said it should nearly always be half the time and distance they specify, if you really want to take car of the car that is.
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Tue 5 Feb 2002 23:54
Re: TLC - Marcus
Check your service books, the brake & pas fluid should be changed every 3 years or 36 000 miles - it is not a mammoth task, just a question of bleeding the system until all the old fluid is out and replaced.

Oil change every 4000 miles - 3 times a year will keep the engine in good shape.

Have you looked inside the air cleaner yet ?
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