Well, my 3 years will be up at the end of the month and still have over 5,000 miles on the OBC. Last service was the low mileage oil change last september. Just went and had them fix a few minor problems.

Since I won't be driving over the mileage in the next couple of weeks looks like I'm on my own for service for here on out. Thinking about trying to change the oil myself (first time since college). Anything else I should look at doing? I'm guessing maybe air filter and cabin air filter. Also will look at the brakes. Been thinking about seeing to the fuel filter since my MCSCa has been a reluctant starter since day one.

 

At a minimum, I'd perform an oil and filter change as well as cabin and air filters. Others will chime in with more items, I'm sure. If not the fuel filter, trying lower octane fuel may help with hard starting - I know this has stirred up historical debate, but...for what's it's worth...it may be worth trying to see if that may help. Lastly, add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner you next fillup. I'll be there with you changing oil myself for the first time in years... Greg

 

at three years if you have not had the brake fluid flushed and the coolant changed you should do those.

Check under the car for the power steering fan operation and look for anything else wrong. Just checking is what most scheduled maint is anyway.

 

Check this out.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=30k+checklist

 

Thanks all. Aerojammin, yeah I'd seen that - very informative. I see you're in the FL panhandle. I'm about 30 minutes north of the FL/AL border up here at Fort Rucker and Travel down to Destin and Panama City quite often for events.

All seems pretty straight forward. A little worried - haven't really done much mechanical work in years. Looking forward to it too though.

Thulcatt, don't know about the brake fluid and coolant flush - kinda doubt it unless they did it on the low mileage oil change. Are those something that can be done at home for someone with very rusty mechanic's skills. Had the power steering fan replaced when I went to the dealer last week.

 

One of those inspection items is "check lower control arm bushings for wear." How does one do that?

 

Both are pretty easy if you have done them before on other cars.
Just keep the master full on the brakes and the only thing on the coolant is a drain and fill by taking off the lower rad hose. Without a block drain to work with you will probably want to drain and fill a couple of times to get the old coolant out. Just make sure the last two fills are with distilled water (that should get you a mostly clean fill).

 

I believe the brake fluid bleed/flush is on the schedule for every 2 years. Its pretty easy if you have a helper to pump the brakes while you open and close the bleed screw on the calipers. Plenty of write-ups on the internet if you Google.

As for the coolant flush, I believe that is at the 3 or 4 year mark.

These intervals are in the owners manual if I remember correctly.

Our 06 MCSa has been getting progressively harder to start also. Service advisor at Brecht said that the fuel filter was lifetime with the pump but I've since learned what a bunch of morons they are...

 

One more question that I proably should know. I have the JCW CAI on it, it takes a different filter right? If so, where can I order it from?