Just booked the Miggie in for her 10k service for next week. I had a major service done on the last 10k service (including cambelt kit and tensioners) so this one should be fairly minor, but is there anything particular that I should make sure they do?

I had 3 new tyres fitted in May when it went in for MOT and they fitted budget Corsa tyres (only one's they had in stock so I said ok as had to get it through MOT) and done the tracking. Had to take it back in shortly after as steering wheel was off centre, so they sorted that out. However, since then the tyres squeal far too easily when cornering and braking, particularly on smoother surfaces. Also the tyres don't look like they're wearing too well after only 2 months.

Could this be down to the budget tyres or did they b*gg*r up the tracking when it went back to get the steering wheel centred. I have told them about this and they are quite willing to correct it or replace the tyres if necessary but I'd like to hear what you guys think.

Bob, the Omega suspension is adjustable for camber and toe-in/out on both front and rear.

Best bet is to find a reputable outfit that'll do a proper four wheel alignment. It is a specialist job though so make sure you're confident they'll do the job proper like. Word of mouth's good. I had mine done by a reputable mob at the beginning of the year, but I'm still going through a pair of tyres avery 15k!!  ::)

Anyway, regarding you service, if you had everything done on the last one, then it should be just an oil and filter change, although I had the drivetrain fuids changed 10k after mine's last major service just as a matter of course as it'd done 50k. Gearbox and diff oil.

Big Rod wrote on 21. Jul 2006 at 13:31:

Bob, the Omega suspension is adjustable for camber and toe-in/out on both front and rear.

Had no problems prior to the new tyres and tracking but I'll get this checked out.


Big Rod wrote on 21. Jul 2006 at 13:31:

still going through a pair of tyres avery 15k!!  ::).

Why does this not surprise me ;D ;D


Big Rod wrote on 21. Jul 2006 at 13:31:

Anyway, regarding you service, if you had everything done on the last one, then it should be just an oil and filter change, although I had the drivetrain fuids changed 10k after mine's last major service just as a matter of course as it'd done 50k. Gearbox and diff oil.

Do I take it that you mean the drivetrain fluids are the gearbox and diff oil? I'll get them to check/replace these.

Cheers for the advice Rod [smiley=thumbup.gif]

bobdent wrote on 21. Jul 2006 at 13:52:

Why does this not surprise me ;D ;D

What are you insinuating?!?!?!  :o


bobdent wrote on 21. Jul 2006 at 13:52:

Do I take it that you mean the drivetrain fluids are the gearbox and diff oil? I'll get them to check/replace these.

Yes, but I also got the garage to replace the gearbox filters and gaskets while they were at it. I've heard somewhere that the gearbox oil should be renewed @ 50k, but I might be wrong.

Big Rod wrote on 21. Jul 2006 at 13:57:

bobdent wrote on 21. Jul 2006 at 13:52: Why does this not surprise me ;D ;D What are you insinuating?!?!?!  :o

Don't forget, I've seen your "daddy" in the gallery! There ain't no way you're gonna be driving that around like a granny ;)

Point taken!!  :-[

Assuming petrol engine:

10k/1y ‘minor’ service is oil&filter change, top-up all fluids (PAS, coolant, brake, washer, gear/diff etc) and investigate leaks if relevant. The rest is checks e.g. suspension, pads, V-belt, etc.

20k/2y ‘major’ service is as above but also change all filters – air, fuel, pollen.

Also, every two years – change coolant, brake fluid, and fob battery…

Note – if doing this DIY, I see no reason why not have just a ‘major’ service every year, the difference in cost is only the filters which should amount to around £20-£30.


HTH...

bob.dent - as you're not that far from Watford, to sort out any tyre and alignment issues, give Tony a call at STS Watford - he runs his own website http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk and I have used and recommend him.

My routine is:

5K miles - Oil and filter
10K miles - Oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter, front and rear brake service
15K miles - Oil and filter
20K miles - Oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter, front and rear brake service, parking brake service, coolant change, Brake fluid change
25K miles - Oil and filter
30K miles - Oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter, front and rear brake service
35K miles - Oil and filter
40K miles - Oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter, front and rear brake service, parking brake service, coolant change, brake fluid change, Breather and throttle system clean, gearbox fluid change, full cambelt , tensioner and idler change, water pump change, new aux belt.

Then repeat.....

Brake discs and pads are changed as required (checked every 12 months)

Of course I do a load of checks every 10K miles on wishbone bushes, drop links, track rod ends, shocks, springs, idle arms etc....

Thanks for the info guys. I wish I could do some of this myself but alas, I really don't know zip about modern car engines or mechanics even though cars are my first love :-[ Also I have very little in the way of tools and even if I did, nowhere to work on the car as I live in a flat :'(
Anyway, I can at least use the info I get from you guys to make sure my garage do things properly (they're usually pretty good anyway).

Thanks for the tip about the place in Watford Jaimie [smiley=thumbup.gif] - if all else fails Ill give them a call.

bobdent wrote on 22. Jul 2006 at 16:06:

Thanks for the tip about the place in Watford Jaimie [smiley=thumbup.gif] - if all else fails Ill give them a call.

No problem, but whatever you do, I'd recommend viewing the website mentioned - real in depth steering theory...

bobdent wrote on 21. Jul 2006 at 13:01:

I had 3 new tyres fitted in May when it went in for MOT and they fitted budget Corsa tyres (only one's they had in stock so I said ok as had to get it through MOT) and done the tracking. Had to take it back in shortly after as steering wheel was off centre, so they sorted that out. However, since then the tyres squeal far too easily when cornering and braking, particularly on smoother surfaces. Also the tyres don't look like they're wearing too well after only 2 months. Could this be down to the budget tyres or did they b*gg*r up the tracking when it went back to get the steering wheel centred. I have told them about this and they are quite willing to correct it or replace the tyres if necessary but I'd like to hear what you guys think.

Ok - had its service today and it turns out that the above problem was due to the front shocks being b*gg*red. :'(  This would account for the ongoing problem I've had with a clonking noise when going over speed humps (as mentioned in one of my other threads)

More bl**dy expense >:(  Just wish I had the tools and knowledge to do some of this stuff myself :-[

Still, my garage loves me :-*