Is routine maintenance still needed?
With many of us doing less driving in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than a few vehicle owners are questioning the need for certain routine maintenance services based on the traditional “time or distance, whichever comes first” mantra.
Last week, we looked at oil and filter changes, as well as suspension and braking systems. This week it's a closer peek under the hood.
SPARK PLUGS
These are truly a distancerelated item, with recommended replacement intervals varying widely depending on the ignition system and type of spark plug used.
A good number of carmakers are equipping their engines with platinum or iridium plugs, which can have a service life of well over 100,000 kilometres. But there is a major caveat: leaving a set of steel-threaded spark plugs in an aluminum cylinder head for years is a recipe for busted knuckles and expensive repair bills when the plugs break. They should be removed for inspection every 50,000 kilometres.
AIR FILTERS
These critical engine protectors aren't really subject to wear, but rather the environment in which they live.
Drive a lot of dusty back roads? Commute through endless construction zones? It's definitely time-based; you may want to check your engine's air filter more than once a year, if not every other month. If it's your daily driver, even though you may be driving less, pulling the air filter for inspection every three to four months isn't overkill, either. The same thing applies to cabin filters, especially in colder months. When these become clogged, they'll drastically reduce the air flow, making window defrosting a slow and blurry affair.
DRIVE BELTS
Remember the days when most carmakers recommended drive belt replacements every two years? Fortunately for our wallets, those days are pretty much over. Belt quality has improved to the point where even the lowest quality units seem to last five-plus years. That said, an annual inspection is pretty much an easy and quick job: visually check both sides for cracks and/or frayed edges, and replace as required.
One belt you never want to take a chance on by disregarding the automaker's replacement recommendations is the timing belt. If your engine uses a belt instead of a chain, it'll have a service interval of at least 100,000 kilometres. Having one fail while driving can result in serious damage.
Automatic transmission filters and fluids are pretty much a distance-measured concern, and more than a few modern units are considered sealed for life, with no filter or fluid change requirements. Check your manual to be sure.