Need more info on Fuel Economy and General Maintenance list

[Cailen]

Hey no worries. We were all "newbies" at one point. I remember a time when I didn't know what or where my PCV valve is either. Good call on the Haynes, it's an invaluable tool.

As for a cold start sensor, I'm not sure. Never heard of them on our trucks, though that doesn't mean they don't exist. Aside from a block heater, one further recommendation would be to use an oil with lower viscosity. If it is less dense and flows more freely your engine will start easier. Given the cold temperatures it sounds like you face, this is probably something you should do anyway.

Most of the jobs you've listed are ones that the beginner with no experience can handle. Oil change, PCV swap, Tstat swap, MAF cleaning are all VERY easy. Changing your diff fluids is pretty simple too. Tranny service is easy if you are cautious in the way you take the bolts out of the pan. There are a bunch of them, and as long as you loosen them from one side to the other, allowing the pan to slowly tilt to one side and fluid to drain off in a controlled manner you should be fine. I learned from a friend who worked in a tranny shop who kept spilling hot tranny fluid all over himself!

Good luck guy, and welcome to AF.

[cleanshavenrsx]

they 97 and up should have 4 because they need one at the top of each header and pre cat and post cap.... it depends where the truck was sold generally the one with 4 is in an area where it must be hooked to a computer to get an emmission stick like here in the tri state.. the 2 after the header are an up stream and down stream i know all this because i just went through it in my rsx both my up stream and down sdtream went ... theyr were 300 a peice and they arent diamond cut platinum with my name engraved can any say ass rape!!!!!!!!!!!

[dmbrisket 51]

one more comment from me (well atleast one more lol) heet is a good product, but it contains patrolium distelets (sp???) the are not good for injectors and valve seating, a little every now and then is ok, but a lot or often is bad

[SultanGris]

One way to keep condensation to a minimum is to keep your gas tank full in cold climates, the emptier it is, the more water will form inside as the temp changes, thusly causing you problems. also, if your getting crappy gas will cause it too, do you always fill up at the same station?

[mike1224]

I'm looking at on old service record for my auto tranny flush, and i'm not seeing 'filter change." I'd a thought it'd be normal practice. Isn't that almost like doing nothing at all? i mean theres still gunk there, right? I'm starting to feel cheated! At least next time im going to ask more questions... how often should this be done? i've heard every 15-30,000 mi! I'm not looking to waste away $$, but I definitely want to keep this truck for a while, preferably in good condition.

[chgoguy74]

I typically always fill up at the same station... Although there's the occasional venture off the beaten path and you see the needle a little too close to E... As for the tank being full, I try not to let it go past 1/2 full (not bad for a pessimist) before I top it off... In the summer, I drive on fumes, but when the cold hits, I keep it full...

[dmbrisket 51]

Originally Posted by mike1224

I'm looking at on old service record for my auto tranny flush, and i'm not seeing 'filter change." I'd a thought it'd be normal practice. Isn't that almost like doing nothing at all? i mean theres still gunk there, right? I'm starting to feel cheated! At least next time im going to ask more questions... how often should this be done? i've heard every 15-30,000 mi! I'm not looking to waste away $$, but I definitely want to keep this truck for a while, preferably in good condition.

for a flush, specally at quick lube places, they dont drop the pan, so they can't change the filter... you need to call a tranny or full service shop and ask them to schedual you a time to drop off the truck for a transmission filter change

[mike1224]

thanks doug.

[dmbrisket 51]

no problem, i know its not what you want to hear, but its how it is, look at probibly an hour to an hour and a half labor plus parts, im not even sure how much a 4l60e tranny kit goes for anymore