General Maintanence...

[Gnome]

Just a quick question really.

How often do any of you guys 'n' gurls change the oil on your car? Do you stick to the regular service interval, or do you change them more often?

Also, anyone have any handy tips on cleaning the engine bay - anything to use on it inparticular, or just some warm soapy water now and again?

As you can guess - I'm new to cars... Bikes are so much easier and quicker to clean. Well, until you get to the polished engine cases and such....

Cheers!

[clarky]

My mileage is high so I try to do it every 5k or so ... usually turns out to be nearer 8k, but I do try!

At the mo I'm using the warm and soapy approach but I bought some specilaist detailing stuff the other day -will let you know.

[rossnova]

I change my oil every 4000 miles but thats coz i drive the car hard alot. But its good for the engine if u change it regular.

As for the engine bay clean, just use a jet wash but make sure the engine is hot & running so the water doesnt get into the plugs

Thats the way i do things but im sure there may be a few more different opinions

[Gnome]

Coolio.

Cheers guys.

Was thinking of every 5k for an oil change.

Keep us informed on the detail stuff clarky.

Thanks again!

[Demonic Angel]

As I said in the Oil thread going round.....

Car oil - whats that?

As for engine cleaning - no one sees the engine apart from my Dad and Rich - even I dont see it (unless its to top up wiper fluid which is the only thing I know how to do! lol) so I dont see the point in engine cleaning.....

I hear steam clean is the best way to do it though if you must Gnomey..... Do mine while your at it! :P :P

[Xenole]

Can't say I've opened up the bonnet to even look at the engine, let alone check wiper fluid or oil since I got my Yaris back in November.

Probably will do once the weather improves.

No lights have come on yet, and the screen wash is still coming out, so can I assume I'm fine for the time being?

And how do you change the oil anyway?

[Red Yaris 54]

Can't say I've opened up the bonnet to even look at the engine, let alone check wiper fluid or oil since I got my Yaris back in November.

Probably will do once the weather improves.

No lights have come on yet, and the screen wash is still coming out, so can I assume I'm fine for the time being?

And how do you change the oil anyway?

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Just the sort of car that I would NOT like to buy second hand...........why dont you love and look after your Yaris?? :(

[Blue84]

Can't say I've opened up the bonnet to even look at the engine, let alone check wiper fluid or oil since I got my Yaris back in November.

Probably will do once the weather improves.

No lights have come on yet, and the screen wash is still coming out, so can I assume I'm fine for the time being?

And how do you change the oil anyway?

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Just the sort of car that I would NOT like to buy second hand...........why dont you love and look after your Yaris?? :(

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I agree! I check my Yarii's oil every week along with all the other levels, and that includes the windscreen washer fluid..it doesnt take long at all, barely 5 minutes if that. DO IT! :D

[Boro Sera]

Also, anyone have any handy tips on cleaning the engine bay - anything to use on it inparticular, or just some warm soapy water now and again?

Cheers! 

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There's a link at the top of the page in the Sponsors section for Toyota/Lexus car care. Follow this and download the Ebook regarding car cleaning and detailing.

There's a section about cleaning the engine and engine bay.

I used Autoglym Engine cleaner ( and a load of other Autoglym products ) when I started cleaning mine up. It's a cheap job to do, it's really satisfying and makes such a difference to the car - whether it's seen or not.

When the time comes that you sell the car, a gleaming engine bay will sell it for you.

Rich

[Gnome]

Cheers again all.

Re: not checking fluid levels - Are you mad?!?!?

I've seen a biker do that ( r rather, not do it), to an engine. Needless to say, after not looking after the bike, or changing/ topping up the oil, it soon ran out, and seized at about 80mph on the M-way.

Good thing he remembered to pull the clutch lever in... :o

I'll check out the link Boro.

Cheers again all!

[Gnome]

Just tried the link - it didn't work?

[seveer unaek]

When the time comes that you sell the car, a gleaming engine bay will sell it for you.

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Not necessarily... if the car's done a few miles (more than 30k id say is reasonable) and the engine bay is sparkling... somebody may wonder what you're hiding! I wouldn't, because id check whats wrong but some people who buy cars have no idea what they're looking for!

Just tried the link - it didn't work?

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Yeah, you need a password and username and all kinds of crap for it... do a search for it and there's something that tells you... i can't remember im afraid!

Also, the best way to clean you engine bay without products and stuff is to just use the same solution you do on your car... but use a pan scourer (a simple sponge one from your kitchen) and just use a bit of elbow grease on the tough grimey bits. Then use a cloth (old t-shirts work) and dry it all off (use a chamois on the bodywork parts if you can). This should bring it up nice and clean..

But if you want it to shine, use some metal polish or chrome polish on the metal chromey bits.

To get it even cleaner easier... use a steam cleaner! They work very well on getting rid of the grease and can shine up an engine quite nicely!

I response to those not checking their fluids (cheky :P ) you really should, or get somebody who knows what to do to do it... it's not hard and all you gotta do is read the manual that came with the car if you get stuck or need to know something. The key to a happy engne is a driver that knows what they're doing!!

[yaris2k4]

I always thought that the engine oil can be changed at the 10,000 mile service? I mean I know I should check the level quite often but do I need to change it more than every 10,000 miles?