Some GM recommendations?

[CATAssassin]

Hey guys. I've gotta keep this car for 5 years (100k miles), and I already have 60k on it. So basically I would like to know what kind of maintence I should be doing? I mean I usually do spark plugs every year, air filter when it needs it, and oil changes with synthetic every 3k. What else should I be doing to keep everything up to par? When should the tranny be flushed? Any random lubing I should do to like windows, sunroof, etc?

I mean I'm not a complete novice with cars and stuff but I want to make sure I dont forget anything.

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

[2002GT]

How on earth do you have a 2002 Grand Am with 60,000 miles on it?

[Jagey]

very good question, mine only has about 7000 miles on it

[Licit]

To answer your question, there are a few things you may want to do. A transmission drain, flush and fill would be good at the mileage you have(they say around 50,000 miles). Change the tranny filter along with that service. Your fuel filter should also be changed, will definately help with maintaining fuel mileage. You may want to get a fuel injector cleaning done, depends whether you use the additive kind when you change your oil. As far as lubing the things you listed, you can do it but you could also wait until there is any noise that would make it necessary. There are other little things you might want to check. PCV valve, wheel hub/bearing assembly, timing chain, O2 sensor and possibly plug wires if they haven't been changed in a while. That's most of the things I can think of.

[CATAssassin]

Thanks licit. Youve been helpful.

And I guess the person who had the car before me commuted 3-4 hours on the highway everyday.

[Filter]

The timing chain does not need to be changed on a regular basis. As far as wheel hub/bearing assembly, you don't need to replace that until it's making noise. That's like saying you car shifts fine, but better replace the tranmission just to be safe. No flame intended. Other than that, Licit was right. Change oil, clean fuel injectors (have a mechanic purge them), fuel filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filter, change tranny fluid, and PVC valve. O2 sensor isn't a bad idea. You can't hurt anything and can only make things better, but once again it's a make or break thing. It can deteriorate so your cars mileage gets worse. So it never hurts.

[Licit]

Filter, what is the noise to listen for when the hub/bearing assembly needs replaced? The guys that do my PA state inspection replace it back between 30,000 and 40,000 miles, but I questioned it because I remember no noise or driving oddities whatsoever. The timing chain is just something they always check for the state inspection that's why I threw that out. One thing I did forget that is possibly worth doing is coolant system drain, flush and fill. I know the Dex-Cool is 100,000 mile but I had a bunch of crap in the system when flushing prior to the lower intake mani gasket replace at 77,000 miles(corroded looking flakes). There are articles that say you don't need to do it and then there are others that say you should, up to the owner. One last thing, anyone change their brake fluid? I saw it is supposed to be every 30,000 miles, which means I should have changed it twice already.

[Filter]

When a wheel bearing goes, it makes a scraping humming sound. There is usually never (99.9%) any squealing from a bad bearing. It never goes away and hums faster as the wheel speed increases. Braking or turning the wheel should not (99.9%) have an effect on the humming.

Good to bring up the brake fluid. It should really be replaced. Over time it also gets contaminated. It's just often overlooked. Everyone just always thinks engine right away.

[cavingman]

i got 26k on my 03 :)