Hi All,

I'm just wondering how many of you out there service your own cars?

- I am considering trying to do it myself. Mainly because of the cost saving as well as being able to do it in my own time.

i've been doing my own to save some dollars ... only if it's an oil change though ... and oil filter

i get the mitsu dealer to do a full service and check up

if i had an older car (say 7 or 8 years and over) then yeah i would service it myself and only take it to a mechanic when their is a problem with the car. However if the car is still relitively new (like 5 or 6 years old or under) i like the peace of mind of having my car serviced by a mechanic i know and trust, because im not silly enough to think that i know as much as a qualified mechanic! they are the pro's, not me.

And if your car is still under warranty, then you'd be a complete mug to service it yourself cos you'll void your warranty!!

The only problem with servicing a car yourself is that when it comes time to sell.. a prospective buyer could be put off buying it if it hasnt been serviced by a mechanic.. i know i would be!

I'm lucky to be a 3rd year apprentice for audi and have rebult a pajero V6 before so i am fairly confident in being able to do all services/repairs myself

ive always done all my own stuff after being stuffed around so many times by dodgy mechanics

I comply with the Mitsubishi service book to avoid risking the warrantly. Because l only do a about 10,000 k's a year that means one service a year. I just had the 2 year service done at a cost of $460.00....just as well its not more often.

Apart from that, I do my own oil and filter changes, every three months, regardless of useage.

I do all my own work in my cars.

If it's engine internals, clutch or final tuning then i get someone who knows wat there doin.
Well clutch I can do but I could never be bothered.

Some mechanics never do a decent job. I've had some who have also spilt some sort of fluid which ripped into my paint work on my renault n didn't want to fix it.

The mechanics of cars are quite simple if you just break the parts down.

Same here i do all the work myself and with help of my dad.

My dad helped his dad fix his taxi every weekend so he knows a lot about cars, and im learning from him.

Also u save hundereds of bucks eg: cv-joints instead of like 650+ done for u lol
u can do it yourself for around $120, same with the rear bank spark plugs under the intake etc.

Some places u just cant trust like ultratune etc ( not saying they are bad or anything ) as they work in quantity not quality.

Tom

I used to with my previous cars however as this one came with a 3 yr warranty I have to have it serviced my mitsu.

However, as per the log book, it only needs to be done every 12 months or 15K (I do approx 20K per year). Therefore in nearly two years of ownership it's only been serviced once at a cost of $200. The next service is this April.

i asked the mitsu dealer here if it would void the factory warranty doing it myself ... he said no as long as you use what is recommended ... not stuff like Home Brand oil

I wouldn't even use HomeBrand oil to kill weeds on a dirt path, hahaha. (ok ok, I admit I did buy $5/4L HomeBrand *once*... to top up a panel shop's junker loaner which drank 1L everyday.) :D


3.0/3.5L is a mechanic's dream!! :cool: :cool:

Spent the weekend just admiring how much thought Mitsubishi took to designing the 3rd gen engine & under-bonnet. Everything's neatly laid out & easily accessible... eg sump drain plug and filter right at the bottom - excellent!!


KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS for everything you've bought for the car - eg motor oil, filter etc. I also keep a panel from all the filters/plugs boxes; write the date & mileage when they've been changed.

At least then you've got proof that you've done something.

How do I go about releasing the fuel filter on a 3rd gen sedan?? I've unbolted it, removed the front line but can't get the rotten rubber ended plug line off!! I've followed the Haynes book, I've tried O-ring pliers and it's just NOT HAPPENING - HELP!

The plastic clip is designed to not be accidentally pulled of,

so in order to take it off, you need to push the two small side button/clip towards the filter and then when you've push them as hard as you can, you then need to pull the entire plastic plug the oposite direction, NOW, you may not understand what I said, it's confusing i know, but basically, you need to push the buttons the opposite way you pull the overall socket.

i asked the mitsu dealer here if it would void the factory warranty doing it myself ... he said no as long as you use what is recommended ... not stuff like Home Brand oil

hmm i dont know if i would follow that advice too closely, he may be saying that now, but i bet you if your engine has a problem he will say "it needed to be serviced by a qualified mechanic, no warranty for you"

just some advice man, ive seen it happen. Check with the racq.

I allways do my own oil and filter changes and spark plug changes as its easy and I do a better job than a mechanic whos in a rush to start the next car.

I get the services in the log done by mitsu and change my oil and filter every 5,000kms. A little excessive but when my VRX is working hard I like to know that my baby is recieving the best possible care :D

Anything like CV's, Clutches, Belts Id leave to the pro's but simple stuff is easy. I haven't attempted a brake pad change yet but I think i'll leave it to the pro's as I want my rotors machined at the same time.

I generally find if you supply your own parts its cheaper and you know exactly what is going into the car :D

I get the services in the log done by mitsu and change my oil and filter every 5,000kms. A little excessive but when my VRX is working hard I like to know that my baby is recieving the best possible care :D

mate thats not excessive, in my opinion, changing oil every 5000km's is a must, not a choice

On the topic of brake rotors, I needed mine replaced recently (2 machines previously). I found Supercheap (don't laugh) to have the best price on rotors. They were much cheaper than the other outlets ie. Repco. The rotors were DBA.

On the topic of brake rotors, I needed mine replaced recently (2 machines previously). I found Supercheap (don't laugh) to have the best price on rotors. They were much cheaper than the other outlets ie. Repco. The rotors were DBA.

but what quality where they? im not knocking you, for all i know supercheap may sell top quality brake rotors, but i was just wondering. It could be that repco is more expensive because they sell better quality rotors

www.dba.com.au - they are Australian made. I just bought the standard ones to suit my car (97 TF 3.0). They didn't have them in stock, but got them early the next day.

www.dba.com.au - they are Australian made. I just bought the standard ones to suit my car (97 TF 3.0). They didn't have them in stock, but got them early the next day.

yeah mate they're good

Was at Mitsu dealer's spares desk last week, they had DBA discs as an available "option" ... usually that means they would be dearer than the stock OEM items.

Ive rebuilt every aspect of my car, engine, carbi, turbo's, suspention, brakes.. and i also on the occasion change its oil myself :)

I do most of the work bar tuning , but most i can do and partial repairs for the broken bits

I also do most of the work on my car, except when I arise to a problem which I can't fix, like really stuck bolts where I need a rattle gun (which I don't own yet).


I want a MUT-II :rant:

I am a panel beater and my best mate is too. His dad owns a mechanic workshop so I guess I don't count. But it is all common sense. If you aren't confident in the major jobs or something seems difficult then ask someone. It may be worth your while to take it to a mechanic for the peace of mind.

You will only learn by trying. BTW I know someone who bought a 100 series GXL landcruiser diesel. They asked the people at the dealership if putting a turbo kit on would affect they warranty. they were told it wouldn't. They just paid for a rebuilt motor and are fighting to get some of their money back.

So be AWARE