How to "Baseline" your vehicle?

[olympiccop2002]

How exactly does a person "baseline" their vehicle?

I have read this term before and if I remember right it was changing fluids and belts. What is your opinion on what needs to be changed on a used vehicle that was just purchased? What fluids/belts and with what type or brand? What else needs to be done? Thank you in advance for your information and ideas.

Bjorn

 

[Hunter]

The expression has to do with more or less, getting to know your rig. There are alot of parts that wear out from use. Some can wear out slower or faster depending on useage. Both from driveing, weather, and useage.

Let's say you have had your 4x4 for years. You know how much abuse the tranny has had, you never towed with it. You have more or less kept in a moderate climate so the AC hasnt gotten used much. You didnt really drive it much in rush hour traffic so the brakes should have lot's of life left. You are good about the airfilter so you can stretch the oil changes a bit. Etc, etc.

Now, on the other hand, you just get a "new" to you a 1996 Whatever SUV. It may seem new but you have no idea how hard or how much abuse it saw. The previous drivers drove it every day in traffic, AC was used a lot. He used to let his 18 year old son drive it on the weekend. That big ole fishingboat on the side of the house got pulled by it and the water crossing the last driver did 3 years ago was done with a cracked vent tube for the frotn axle...so water has been in there for 3 years...... get the idea?

Tearing into and checking :Mechanic: everything to make sure they are in good shape. Shocks, belts, waterpump, filters, lines fitting and hose clamps, fluids, joints etc. Knowing your vehicle is important considering how much we depend on them in the back country

 

[olympiccop2002]

Nope you guys are on the right track all the way. I don't know the maintenance history on the vehicle I just purchased but it is a really clean 2002 Mitsubishi Montero with 55k on the clock.

I'm a newbie at fixing or working on vehicles and wanted to know where to start. Not an ASE primer but general maintenance tasks that I can accomplish with basic hand tools type of stuff. I am pretty confident that I can blunder my way through most maintenance tasks if I'm pointed in the right direction.

What brands have worked for you when you have changed fluids? Any one brand work better then another? As a vehicle repair newbie which fluids should I attempt? Keep in mind that the most I have done is changed oil and spark plugs... Ya gotta start somewhere right?

Thank you for your reply.

Bjorn

 

[greenhorn]

Congrats on the new ride. Hopefully it came with an owner's manual to get you started on the right grades and quantities of fluids. A service manual will be an excellent investment for you also if you plan to do alot of it yourself. As far as brands, you'll probably get alot of choices. I've always tried to use sythetic fluids when available, I like anything Mobile 1 (fluids, oil filter), Royal Purple (fluids), K&N (oil filter). The best investment you can do is just spend time on your new rig, crawling around it, under it, inspecting, tinkering, learning not just where everything is, but how it is put together. Good luck!

 

[alvarorb]

When people change fluids many times they forget about one of the most important ones.... Brake Fluid.
With time it deteriorates and becomes less effective. As preventive maintenance I chance mine every 2 years.
Talk to the service manager at your local dealership or better yet, signup on one of the boards that feature your new rig and ask around. What are the things to look for.

Regards

Alvaro