Preventative Maintenance ADD YOUR TIPS!

PEETYZ · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-06, 03:01 PM

Hey I thought I would start this thread to try and prevent some costly repairs. 1. Change oil every 3,000 or close to miles 2. use a synthetic oil 10w30 i used 10w40 one time and oil pressure dropped, I recommend the new Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic or Valvoline Max life full synthetic both work well and have nice pressure, you can do it for under 30 bucks yourself. 3. use Fuel system cleaner every change. 4. ceramic brake pads. 5. When something does ever go wrong when ever possible dont go to dealer unless under warranty very expensive parts, shop Auto Zone or a similar store.
I needed a new alternator dealer price $900+ A Local Auto shop same spec alternator installed $450. So do some homework and check out the great tips on here. My 98 catera has 103,000 miles on it and is running very strong. PLEASE ADD YOUR TIPS! Hope this was useful -Pete

PEETYZ · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-06, 03:07 PM

oops heres one more tip to save a little money -buy a COLDAIR INTAKE on ebay and install. After installed i noticed BETTER SOUND, BETTER GAS MILAGE, A LITTLE MORE KICK IN POWER, AND THE FACT THAT I WILL NEVER HAVE TO BUY A NEW FILTER AGAIN JUST USE A CLEANING KIT, PAYS FOR ITSELF IN NO TIME

Kcryan · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-06, 06:37 PM

Change tranny fluid every 20k miles IMO, and mabye give it a cleaning with auto-rx (google that, i just did it on my I30 and love the results).

10w-40, OP will drop but it wont need as much oil PSI because the oils thicker, so if you want a 40 weight you should be fine to use it.

caterashaker · #4 (**permalink**) 11-15-06, 09:20 AM

Pete, just read your post and couldn't agree with you more. You've got a great looking ride there by the way. I see you're in Ohio; does the cold air intake system get affected by the snow or rain? I have the K&N replacement filter for the original air box and other than not having to change it all the time, I didn't notice any performance benefit.

caterashaker · #5 (**permalink**) 11-15-06, 09:24 AM

One other thing, I go 6,000 to 8,000 miles on synthetic oil on my Cat with no problem. I do, however, change the filter every 3,000 miles or so and top it off with a fresh quart...that's just me tho. I've gone 10,000 mile on my Buick Regal and my wife's Trans Am with no problem.

CateraSport2000 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-15-06, 10:24 AM

For Catera Owners with Xenon Headlights:

I love my xenons and think it's the best feature on the Catera Sport. Unfortunately, I think these bulbs are more likely to burn out because the headlights can come on so much with this car. Here are some tips that I've used to try and make my bulbs last longer:

1) Use the key to unlock the door when possible. Every time you hit unlock on the key fob the headlights come on for a short period. I don't think this is good for the bulbs.

2) Turn off the twilight sentinel. I don't need my headlights coming on in my garage at home, parking garage at work, or when I'm under an overpass, so I like to take control of when my headlights come on.

I may be paranoid, but that's my tips for saving costly xenon bulbs

Jeff

PEETYZ · #7 (**permalink**) 11-15-06, 12:56 PM

Hey CateraShaker Thanks for the comments synthetic oil is the best for this type of quick reving cam engine that tends to run a little warm. As of the past few winters here in ohio the cone filter has not gotten wet at all i was very worried at first but i checked after heavy snow and rain and it was all dry. If you are worried you can always leave the bottom half of the stock airbox in and nothing for sure will get in. I had a k/n replacement filter for the stock air box and did not notice an increase either, after tryin the cone filter the sound is much better and ive noticed my engine revs faster. My best mpg was on a 3 hour highway trip at 70-75mph cruise control no a/c on just windows down and I was gettin 32 mpg.

caterashaker · #8 (**permalink**) 11-15-06, 01:27 PM

Thanks peetyz; I thinl I'm going to try cutting out the mufflers next (some on this forum refer to them as resonators but they are indeed mufflers.) If nothing else, it will save some weight. They weigh about 40lbs. a piece! Others that I have talked to who aren't on the forum say that the car revs up faster after they're removed. I've actually seen one of these things cut open and let me tell you, they're made for one thing and one thing only, to keep the car quite. I appreciate that but in all the other cars I've had I've changed to a free-flowing exhaust system and felt a major improvement in performance and more mpg. I've done it on an MG Miget, Pontiac Trans Am, Corvette, Buick Regal, Cadillac Sedan De Ville, Ford Mustang to name a few. Back pressure is not your car's friend. I've looked at a few mufflers to replace the others but I think I'm going to try the,"cheap," way first. I'll let you know how it goes. By the way, does your NEW K&N filter have a stock number on it? I think I can fabricate your set-up with stuff I have collecting dust in my garage but I need to know the stock number or part number on your K&N set-up so if you can send it along I'd be most appreciative.

PEETYZ · #9 (**permalink**) 11-15-06, 06:25 PM

I actually dont have a k/n filter on mine you can get a similar filter at autozone, advanced autoparts, or napa I fabricated one for our GMC Envoy and it works great even came with a warranty of 100,000 miles. But the filter is 25$ you can get the filter and tubing specially cut for the catera on eabay for $25 as well. The k&N filter alone is around $40. Please let me know how removing the 2 of the 3 mufflers goes. I am very interested in doing it. Thanks -Pete-

andergar · #10 (**permalink**) 11-16-06, 03:32 PM

I'm curious Peetyz, I have read many posts about cold air intakes. My question is if the air filter is open in the engine bay, where is it getting the cold air? The engine bay produces a lot of heat. Second question, what is your idle oil PSI since your using syn oil?

Andergar
andergar@comcast.net