Is there such a thing as too much maintenance? BRIAN TURNER
Lots of discussions take place at service counters every day about the differences between what the owner’s manual recommends and what your mechanic suggests in terms of preventive maintenance.
When you look at improved reliability rankings and today’s vehicles lasting longer, there’s no doubt automakers have some solid reasoning behind offering longer service intervals and thus saving consumers money.
If you plan on keeping your ride for the long run, there are a few relatively inexpensive ways to ensure a longterm relationship.
An undercarriage and brake inspection twice a year is far from overdoing it. Most shops offer seasonal inspections that often combine these checks with engine oil and filter changes, but no matter how well built your chariot is, Canadian roads can take their toll. These inspections can catch things such as worn steering links and ball joints, which can save you premature tire replacements.
WATCH OUT FOR ELECTRICAL GREMLINS
The newest bane of older vehicles exposed to multiple winters is electrical system failures caused by corrosion. Countless pin-type connectors transmit electronic signals and power various items, and these plugs use ultrathin pins made out of specialized alloys often coated with semi-precious metals. When they are exposed to salt and moisture, corrosion can cause them to lose contact. As well, the pins can loosen from constant vibrations and suspension shock.
Technicians can often get a good idea of the condition of these plugs without even disconnecting them; all they need to look for is green, powdery corrosion, visible from either side of the plug where the wires enter. Because of their number and locations, it’s not always cost effective to access these pins for a cursory visual check. But technicians familiar with your vehicle can easily rattle off some common failures that can be reached and checked without breaking the bank.
Some connectors can be brought back to life (or have their lives extended) by cleaning, straightening any bent pins and using anti-corrosion treatments.
If they’re left to degrade, some connectors requiring replacement are only available as part of very expensive wiring harnesses, which are often in short supply for older vehicles.
The cheapest way to approach this is by starting a conversation with your regular technician. Ask them about common electrical connector failures on your ride and their repair or replacement costs, especially when they start to deliver glitches. This will narrow the list of things to check and rectify.