General Care-Taking?

[uRabbit]

So I'm nearing 20k miles on my '03 MCS and I'm freaking out over the fact that I've put 10k miles on it in a year (bought it with 8778 miles - I know, 20k still isn't a lot), and I'm realizing that I need to start doing more upkeep other than oil changes every 8k miles in order to take care of my baby.

So what are some things I could do?
- Clean air filter every month
- Clean fuel injectors? (How?)
- Any additive for my gas tank that'll do anything?
- Anything else!

Thanks a lot, everyone!

[Ancient Mariner]

The easy:
Run some good fuel injection cleaner thru the system (just dump in gas
tank -Lucas, Techron, etc.
Rotate tires front-to-back (opinions may differ).
Drain and flush cooling system (how-to posts on NAM).
Change fuel filter.
Wait for it, wait for it... a number of knowledgeable people will post some very good advice here in the next few days. This site rocks for that kind of thing.
-skip-

[Mr. D]

Keep the engine bay clean, maybe drain and add clean brake, power steering and clutch fluid....

[Ancient Mariner]

Originally Posted by Mr. D

Keep the engine bay clean, maybe drain and add clean brake, power steering and clutch fluid....

Umm, I'd stay away from the brake fluid flush. Without experience and equipment, that can turn into a nightmare. Clutch shared with brake.

The antifreeze flush can be problem enough: MINI's have a habit of trapping air bubbles in their cooling systems that can be a pain to remove.
It all comes down to mechanical experience. Don't exceed your abilities, you might hurt your best friend (car).
-skip-

[Ancient Mariner]

If you're really anal, you can change the air in your tires...
-skip-

[hoonpv]

I bought my mini (which had 10K miles on it) about 4 months ago and now i'm at 15K.. And here are things I've done so far and will do at 20K.

done so far: changed oil, oil filter, fuel system cleaner (STP or anything), and new intake filter (K&N)

will do at 20K : Engine oil, oil filter, fuel system cleaner, fuel filter, iridium plugs, clean the intake filter, replace cabin filter, brake pads and rotors (i checked and they are almost out) power steering fluid, and maybe automatic trans fluid.

I'm thinking of smaller pulley, one-ball, and an intake as well at 20K.. i'm not sure though..

[cabriopilot]

Originally Posted by hoonpv

brake pads and rotors (i checked and they are almost out)

You need brake pads and rotor with only 20,000 miles on the MINI?
What gives? You shouldn't need brake pads and rotors with mileage that low.

[doogie1022]

Originally Posted by skip.irving

If you're really anal, you can change the air in your tires...
-skip-

Don't forget to grease those muffler bearings also, good for at least an extra 5hp

[nabeshin]

Originally Posted by cabriopilot

You need brake pads and rotor with only 20,000 miles on the MINI?
What gives? You shouldn't need brake pads and rotors with mileage that low.

My stock brakes were completely spent at 18,000 miles.

Here is another suggestion for regular maintenance: The Italian Tune-up. Get the engine warmed up and run to redline in first and second sevral times.

[uRabbit]

Heh. I hardly ever use the brakes, and when I do, it's at under 20mph. Maybe I should be looking at taking care of my clutch assembly.

I get free tire rotations and free flat repairs from the place I purchased my rims and mounted my tires at. So that's done every 4k miles.

Thanks for all the input guys.

Much appreciated.

[Ancient Mariner]

Originally Posted by doogie1022

Don't forget to grease those muffler bearings also, good for at least an extra 5hp

Dang, doogie! We forgot to mention the blinker fluid! Needs to be flushed and refilled every couple of years.

[hoonpv]

Originally Posted by cabriopilot

You need brake pads and rotor with only 20,000 miles on the MINI?
What gives? You shouldn't need brake pads and rotors with mileage that low.

i dunno, but my my brakes are almost out when I checked.

not to mention the brake pedal travels a lot with minimum stopping power.