Car: 2001 TJ Magna VR-X auto (bought new)
Km: 37,000
Driver's right foot: heavier than lead

Car is due for its annual service and out of any warranty. Mitsi dealer is suggesting a 72 month $380 service which will include new spark plugs and other bits and pieces on the basis that it is either "distance or time" related. I say bullsh*t to most of it... so will probably just go for a coolant, brake and oil change.

TIMING BELT
I drive the car hard, so is there any reason to go ahead with a change timing chain belt? Unlike spark plugs, this item actually has a "time" limit AND "distance" limit (which I won't reach anytime soon since that's 100,000km).
How much further can I push it? Was thinking a change next year since even 50,000km at my rate won't be for another two years.
Engine is starting to shake a bit at the lights... hoping it's neither the belt nor an engine mount. Could it just be that it needs new oil and spark plugs?

TRACTION CONTROL
Anyone else with this annoying fault? Whenever I make a, say, 45 degree turn with some acceleration, green TCL lights switches on and off with any application of the accelerator pedal (past 2000 rpm) till I stop and turn everything off.
It has also been happening when I accelerate in a straight line, but not enough to trigger TC. Again, after 2000rpm, the accelerator becomes the switch for the green TCL light.
TC otherwise always works as intended. It's annoying, but more so the dealers' inability to diagnose the problem (no error codes) and desire to pull the car apart to get to ECU. Any ideas?

Sorry for long post, first one IN AGES!

Car: 2001 TJ Magna VR-X auto (bought new)
Km: 37,000
TIMING BELT
I drive the car hard, so is there any reason to go ahead with a change timing chain belt? Unlike spark plugs, this item actually has a "time" limit AND "distance" limit (which I won't reach anytime soon since that's 100,000km).
Sorry for long post, first one IN AGES!

If I am not wrong, service manual says 100,000kms or 5 yrs whichever comes first. I don't care about the time though. Its a good question indeed whether we sud go by the time or distance.

Timing belt, it has been covered before. Even if the engine isn't running, over time the rubber and metal in the belts will perish. I would get it replaced at the 5 year mark.

And with the TCL, dunno, i drive manual

Thanks for the replies.

Steve95, I tried searching for previous timing chain belt posts but didn't find anything relevant. What you say is what a Service Manager in Adelaide told me... then I spoke to another and he told me not to worry given the low mileage. Only concern is the hard km's done...

Meph - correct: mainteinance manual says 100,000km or 60 months (5 years).

I'll give the dealers one last go and if I need to get it done, I'll take it elsewhere to have it done for less.

I say do it for peace of mind...
I recently purchaced a 94 TS auto that had 23thousand k's. For a bargain 4 grand.
I did the timing BELT as precaution, rubber perishes. if it was chain i wouldn't bother.
Same as a full transmission service. And flushed the brake fluid.
Both CV boots have split and need replacing. Ive replaced all fuel lines and radiator and heater hoses. Call me OTT but i want to know that i can jump in the car and drive for 20 hours no prob!
It's now got 50thousand trouble free k's (touch wood)

TIME can be more detrimental to a car than use!

Oh and the exhaust has been replaced 3 times in the time my pop had owned it.
(hence me making a full Stainless Steel one)

i would suggest that you have the timing belt/chain changed - your at the time frame but not the kays, but as previously stated, the belt will deteriorate over time - mitsi have set a 'safe' (read cautious) time frame of 5years on this item.

if its changed now, you wont have to worry about it for another 5years - thats gotta be a bonus :)

I would also suggest changing the timing belt over. As your car has such low km's I'm guessing there was a time it was sitting in a yard or something for a while maybe?

If so, rubber goes a little hard when it's sitting there for a while. So when you go to start it up again after a while, the rubber belt cracks and perrishes.

On the engine mount side, your car hasn't done many kays so I think the engine mounts will be ok, but then again it comes down to how hard you've been doing gear changes. With auto's you'll find that the engine mounts will last longer than a manual equivalent, but it will come down to if you shift manually and how hard etc. It's pretty easy to inspect the engine mounts and see if they're cracking etc.

Car: 2001 TJ Magna VR-X auto (bought new)
Km: 37,000


Car is due for its annual service and out of any warranty. Mitsi dealer is suggesting a 72 month $380 service which will include new spark plugs and other bits and pieces on the basis that it is either "distance or time" related. I say bullsh*t to most of it... so will probably just go for a coolant, brake and oil change.

TIMING BELT
I drive the car hard, so is there any reason to go ahead with a change timing chain belt? Unlike spark plugs, this item actually has a "time" limit AND "distance" limit (which I won't reach anytime soon since that's 100,000km).
How much further can I push it? Was thinking a change next year since even 50,000km at my rate won't be for another two years.
Engine is starting to shake a bit at the lights... hoping it's neither the belt nor an engine mount. Could it just be that it needs new oil and spark plugs?

TRACTION CONTROL
Anyone else with this annoying fault? Whenever I make a, say, 45 degree turn with some acceleration, green TCL lights switches on and off with any application of the accelerator pedal (past 2000 rpm) till I stop and turn everything off.
It has also been happening when I accelerate in a straight line, but not enough to trigger TC. Again, after 2000rpm, the accelerator becomes the switch for the green TCL light.
TC otherwise always works as intended. It's annoying, but more so the dealers' inability to diagnose the problem (no error codes) and desire to pull the car apart to get to ECU. Any ideas?

Sorry for long post, first one IN AGES!

o.k. I would do the fluid change as you said. So far as the spark plugs go, they would only be changing the front ones as they would normally be done at 45000km. and at around $4.50 each is not going to bust the bank.

Definitley no need to do the belt until due. The enging mounts may be brokem, but the service should pick this up if thats the case. I had the top broken around the 80000 mark.

Havent had the problem with the TC. Mine only comes on when needed and goes out as soon as i get off the gas or the car corrects itself. Maybe ring another dealer for another opinion.