Are there any preventive measures I can take on my engine?

Question

Other than the oil change, are there any other things I can do to keep my engine healthy and clean and long-lasting? (Own a 94 Grand Prix)

Answer 1

look in book for 30 60 90 thou mile checks...dont just take it to dealer and say do the 60 thou check ,they will charge you hundreds just to look a things

Answer 2

Absolutely. Open your Owner's Manual and look under the Maintenance section. It will tell you what to do and when to do it.

In addition, I would recommend replacing the battery every 4 years, even if it "still works." Yes, I've nursed a battery for 5 years, but trust me, after 4 years you're living on borrowed time. Also change the brake fluid every 5 years. Not "bleed the brakes", but a complete flush. This will help prevent problems with the master and wheel cylinders later on.

Also, lubricate everything that moves... hood hinges, door latches, etc. Every month have a friend walk around your car and check all the lights: tail, turn, brake. Replace lights in pairs; if one brake light goes out, replace them both. The other one is just about to fail.

Once a year take your car to the do-it-yourself car wash and clean the engine. Open the hood, spray engine (top and bottom) with Gunk engine cleaner, let sit for a minute, then spray with hot soapy water, rinse with cold. Don't spray the alternator or inside the air intake. If the engine is really grimey, you may want to do this several times, say once a week. A clean engine is a happy engine.

But start with the Owner's Manual.

Answer 3

All the suggestions above are good ones, for sure. I keep my vehicles a long time, too - motorcycles and cars/trucks. I think excessive maintenance is much cheaper than new vehicles! I keep the outside in good shape, including the rubber and plastics. I make sure the cooling systems stay in great shape - draining/rinsing included every two years. I also change oil regularly using synthetics now, mostly. I use Engine Sentry in my oil filters to get all the metals out of the oil and have been very happy with that. I use injector cleaner sometimes, but I don't actually know that it makes a difference - it's nothing I can actually see - but my vehicles really do last well, so I keep doing what I do...

Answer 4

change your air filter at least twice a year. clean air and clean oil are the keys.