Abby's Spring Physical

[Yoda]

Reading about Remo and others getting their Steads out of storage and on the road, got me wondering about Abby's Road Readiness and getting her in for a complete checkup

Before I make a complete fool of myself and ask some really dumb questions Let me say that I've owned Corvettes since 1978 and each generation now, with the exception of C6. After owning a few C4's I decided that my ability is with the "Older" Corvette and all this new computer "stuff" and synthetic this and electronic that is beyond my knowledge and learning curve.

Ok, Abby's sits most the time, we did take her out to California late October and a little around town this Winter (I say Winter tongue in cheek all 2" of snow).

The only thing I've done with Abby is put gas in and check the oil, and add air to the tires. Before I take the battery tender off and start driving her a bit more, I want to get the fluids changed and give her a fresh start this "Corvette Season"

Abby sports about 29,000 miles +.

My dilemma and the start of the dumb questions
As general maintenance I thought I'd get the Transmission (Automatic) serviced; Rear End Fluid Changed; Cooling Fluid Changed; Four Wheel Alignment/Balance.

I asked several old buddies about this and I've heard horror stories about having the dealership do this, and I've heard some good things too.
I plan to stop by a few of the Local Chevrolet Dealerships here in Amarillo and talk them before making an appointment for Abby. The information several members of the local Corvette Community here in Amarillo, lean toward one specific dealership, so that will be my first stop

I've been told (sources to remain anonymous ) to have the New (C6) Transmission and RearEnd fluids put in, something like Dextrol ??

As for cooling fluid ??

Mobil I Oil.. I use Castrol Synthetic Blend in my other vehicles, but the owners manual is rather specific on Abby ~ Mobil I..

Any USEFUL information would be appreciated, hell even a few jabs would be ok

These New Fangled Computer Cars are nice to drive but a real PITA to work on at least from my perspective :dance

So there ya are see if ya can hit the target, bonus points for a bullseye

Bud

 

[hotshotzny]

the one thing i would do is look around for a good transmission shop rather than a dealership... but thats just my opinion... i wouldnt trust my local dealer to do much other than change the oil in my cars

 

[born2saw]

Last season I decided to do similar maintenance to my 2000-flush clean and replace coolant, oil change, tranny fluid change, rear end fluid change, brake fluid change and a general inspection "give it a good looking over". I talked with several of my Corvette friends and got dealer recommendations and after getting quotes (this is not cheap service!!) I took to one of my local Chevy dealers.

I think they did an OK job, but my trust in their ability to READ DIRECTIONS was tested when I started driving away and my tire pressure read 38 PSI (they had check and adjusted the tire pressure as part of their service). I turned around and the service advisor insisted that this is correct for my C5. When I pointed out the neat little sticker with the recommended tire pressure (30 PSI) I was told that was for run-flats only. I did point out that although my tires were not OEM, they were run-flats. He continued to argue with me and basically accused me of being a know-it-all who knew nothing.

I then had my local mechanic check out the car to insure that my $750 service had actually been done (he thought they did everything I asked), for another small fee--but worth the peace of mind. I talked with the GM at the dealer and he just said that the service manager knows best.

I have let everyone I know with any Chevy vehicle that I would not trust these guys and of course will never be back. Fortunately this is a no permanent harm, I let the appropriate amount of air out of the tires and drove on.

From now on--reagrdless of recommendations I think I will just trust my local garage.

 

[gmjunkie]

If the Dex-cool coolant has never been changed,Change It!!
As far as the trans and differential,with only 29,000 miles I wouldn't worry about it this year!!(As long as it's clean and at proper level!!)
Have your tires Road Force Balanced on a GSP 9700 Hunter Road Force Balancer!!
(You wont believe the Difference!!)
Alignment!! Good Idea!! I changed the settings on the alignment of my Daily Driver to get optimum tire ware,it's a little light at 140 mph but I have almost 50,000 miles on my second set of tires!!

I don't drive much over 130 anymore anyway!!!

 

[Kid_Again]

I can't relate directly because my vettes are C2s but we do have two leased Lexus IS's in the family and they will NEVER see a dealer. I agree that it's a PITA to work on the new cars but if there's a choice between a concerned owner taking his time and doing it correctly or turning it over to some tech who bought his AFSME certification off the back of a matchbook cover, that's an easy decision.

I dunno if GM still makes shop manuals but I buy the full set for cars that we plan to keep. I buy expendables at a Toyota dealer, not a Lexus dealer. Plenty of deals on the Internet. I save all the receipts. I got roughed up by the dealer near Atlantic City but he backed down.

A standard set of shop tools, a scan tool from Harbor Freight and a voltmeter is all I need beyond the shop manuals.

Funny story about changing the oil first time in my son's IS. Looking from the top, all I could see is cladding. Looking underneath, I can't find an oil filter, red, orange or blue. Had to go to the shop manual. Toyota went to a canister-type filter element and the oil filter cover is up front on the bottom.

Lesse here, GM abandoned the canister filter a few decades ago, no?

The heck with the dealers.

 

[LLC5]

On a 5-6 year old vehicle I would change the coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and rear diff fluid unless any of these have been done recently (I am assuming the engine oil and filter have already been changed). Dealership or independent shop, it doesn't really matter. It all depends on who you trust the most as it's not the business that does the actual work, it's the integrity and knowledge of the tech that will give you your moneys worth.

 

[Gry Ghst]

If the Dex-cool coolant has never been changed,Change It!!
As far as the trans and differential,with only 29,000 miles I wouldn't worry about it this year!!(As long as it's clean and at proper level!!)
Have your tires Road Force Balanced on a GSP 9700 Hunter Road Force Balancer!!
(You wont believe the Difference!!)
Alignment!! Good Idea!! I changed the settings on the alignment of my Daily Driver to get optimum tire ware,it's a little light at 140 mph but I have almost 50,000 miles on my second set of tires!!

I don't drive much over 130 anymore anyway!!!

My 2004C5 has no way to check the tranny fluid unless there is some on the floor and there is not.

 

[gmjunkie]

My 2004C5 has no way to check the tranny fluid unless there is some on the floor and there is not.

Oh,but it does!

 

[vett boy]

I have to agree with Junkie unless you detect a problem with Trans./rear end fluids I think it's a little early.

Junkie also has the alignment specs which will really help tire life .

Oil for me is a no brainier Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 filter and change at least yearly.

Any service done on my cars have been done by myself ,my local mechanic which I trust or Junkie.

I'd go to places I can watch what they do .Trust very few people.

Oh one other thing that gets missed on a C5 is to vacuum your radiator ,tons of crap get sucked up in there .(pampers ,tree limbs,road kill ,etc)

 

[6 Shooter]

2003 Vette: 29,000 / (2009 -2003) = 4,833 m/y

Bud - Is your Vette becoming a Garage Queen? :cool

​

L8TR - D

 

[Yoda]

Bud - Is your Vette becoming a Garage Queen? :cool

​

L8TR - D

I believe RARE might take exception to losing her spot

Abby may be the heir to the throne, but RARE is the Queen Corvette at this Palace

1981 with 74,000 miles
2009-1981 = 28years or 2,643 p/y

Bud

 

[vett boy]

Gee I put 2500 on my 08 the first week and a half. I could end up with 100,000 miles the first year.

Thats :two -three sets of tires ,15 oil changes ,5 air filters ,2 complete fluid changes ,set of plugs ,etc ,etc