auto repairs..i just am not mechanically inclined...

[toxigal]

I am an avid home DYIer, but never spent time learning about cars.

I drive a 2003 Saturn Ion, about 110,000 miles. It has been a wonderful little car, never really costing me much. Just replaced the battery for the first time, a few sets of new tires, brakes (once at 80K - the mechanic was very impressed), and last year new shocks and struts.

I just got an oil change and based on the 22-point inspection the following was recommended:

1) New spark plugs/tune-up
2) radiator flush and new radiator hoses (hoses are soft but not bulging)
3) replace brake fluid

he also noted that the tires have dry rot. They are new (christmas) so i'm hoping this is something that is covered by the tire warranty.

I hate not knowing about how much these types of things should cost.

My mom always told me to find a contractor boyfriend. I told her i would just learn to fix up my house myself. but a mechanic boyfriend i seeming like a really good idea right about now!

[thegreattwizz]

Spark plugs and plug wires, maybe, but if the car is running fine, and you haven't noticed any decrease in gas mileage, I would leave well enough alone.

Radiator hoses would be a good idea if they're VERY soft, and this could prevent a 'catastrophic' failure (one blows out while going down the highway).

Brake fluid and radiator flush I would pass on doing. Those things, like transmission fluid flushes, really only have marginal benefit if they are done regularly at standard intervals (brake fluid is usually 3-5 years). When you start doing that type of routine maintenance on a car that has never had it, you can ask for more trouble than it's worth.

[toxigal]

Spark plugs and plug wires, maybe, but if the car is running fine, and you haven't noticed any decrease in gas mileage, I would leave well enough alone.

Radiator hoses would be a good idea if they're VERY soft, and this could prevent a 'catastrophic' failure (one blows out while going down the highway).

Brake fluid and radiator flush I would pass on doing. Those things, like transmission fluid flushes, really only have marginal benefit if they are done regularly at standard intervals (brake fluid is usually 3-5 years). When you start doing that type of routine maintenance on a car that has never had it, you can ask for more trouble than it's worth.

i'm going to stop where i bought the tires tomorrow and have them take a look. see if they identify the same issues as the oil change place.

my inspection is in november. I figure i will wait until then and get everything fixed at once. or buy a new car. there are some good financing deals out there i would consider taking advantage of...though last time i got 0%, doesn't look like dealers are doing that any more.

[2happy4u]

If you get new hoses you will need new anti-freeze, so let them reverse flush the system. 110K, do the plugs. Platinum plugs are good for 60 to 100K. Tires less then a year old should never have dry rot, demand new tires.Don't worry about the brake fluid.

[O.H. Lee]

.....Don't worry about the brake fluid.

Not necessarily. I forget the word, but brake fluid absorbs water. If it was never changed in 9 years or 110,000 miles during a brake job, there is sure to be rust and other gunk in the system especailly in the calibers just waiting to foul things up.

[O.H. Lee]

And when buying tires, there should be a date code when the tires were molded. I found out the hard way when a "new" tire started to fall apart months after purchase.

Especially tires that don't move that fast and are sitting on the dealers shelf. They will sell the old stock and you basically get a never used "old tire".

Ozone is tougher on tires than regular use at specified inflation pressures.