please tell me if ive got the right or wrong idea

**Adz86** · 17th August 2009, 21:19

hey all, being doing alot of studying following getting my new car and because i dont want to put a foot wrong with it or cause it any uneccessary harm id like someone to clarify my idea of general maintenance of the car

1) so cam belt, after i get it done now should it be every 40k miles after its changed??

2) services, every year or every 10k miles is it? also whats the average price of a service (3.2 v6)

3) seen people saying about oil and filter changes, whats the milage/time period of a change, also should i always have it drained, isnt this covered in a service aswell? whats the price of one?

4) is it best to use 10w 40 or 5w 30 oil? will i need to top up oil on a regular basis?

ive never owned a car like this and i assume the more advanced the engine etc the more care goes into looking after them, im not very mechanically minded and dont want to ****** my pride and joy up through neglegance. any other maintenance hints/tips much appreciated

thanks for help guys! couldnt do it without ya's!!! literally

**bigcarman79** · 17th August 2009, 22:06

40 - 50k for cam belt (even though it was originally 60k).

Service is every year OR every 20k (which ever occurs first).

Oil and filter is covered in a service. (Every service).

Oil to use MUST be FULLY Sinthetic (5W 30), not advisable to top up with semi (10W 40)

**Adz86** · 17th August 2009, 22:15

Originally Posted by bigcarman79

40 - 50k for cam belt (even though it was originally 60k).

Service is every year OR every 20k (which ever occurs first).

Oil and filter is covered in a service. (Every service).

Oil to use MUST be FULLY Sinthetic (5W 30), not advisable to top up with semi (10W 40)

thanks for that, also after asking abit ago about price for a cam belt change, it seemed to average out at £450, looked on auto vaux, they want £75 for the cam belt kit and £25 for the water pump, is that all i will need to do it or is there another part of the kit to buy

http://www.autovaux.co.uk/LoadPortal...bid=5&vnum=137

http://www.autovaux.co.uk/LoadPortal...bid=5&vnum=137

how much would a garage charge for fitment only? could they really charge £350 for labour?? i need to make this all as cheap as pos coz ive got so much outlay at the min from moving into may flat, cost me a fortune to get everything for that as it is!

**Handyandy-UK** · 17th August 2009, 22:22

1) Once you've had the cambelt (and tensioner) replaced, the next one is due in 4 years or 40,000miles (whichever comes first).

2) Service annually or 20,000miles (whichever comes first). Prices will vary depending on main stealer/garage chain/local garage/independant mechanic.

3) I always get the oil and filter changed 6 monthly at National Tyres - only £39 for 0W30 fully synthetic (and another 10% off if you buy online).

4) If you're topping up the oil regularly, you need to be looking into why it's losing oil? Mine happily stays within the dipstick markers between 6 monthly changes.

Best hints and tips - don't muck about trying to change/adjust/improve things too much. Keep a regular check on fluid levels, belt condition (visual), tyre condition and pressures. But most of all enjoy the car.

**gromit** · 17th August 2009, 23:48

Best leave the cambelt to someone who has a good bit of mechanical knowledge. I did mine myself and I wouldn't recomend it. Took me approx 1.5 hours to fit mine but don't know what time a garage quotes. Plugs are a bit awkward but im sure theres a how to thread. The rest of the service stuff is not difficult.

Wish I still had mine.

Enjoy.