Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
The rear calipers are marked Akebono, so I'm assuming the pads are the same brand. Nice quality from the factory. I think if the rotors are upgraded, warping may no longer be an issue.
Despite being ohv, the 3.5 is a thoroughly modern engine that is very easy on oil. The new SM oils, despite being more cat-friendly are very, very good. I use Pennzoil since I take the OLM down to 10% or less (use SuperTech and short oil changes to keep my Kia Optima in warranty). Any oil with a good add pack should be able to easily do 7000 miles-- that's dino BTW. Modern 5w30's, unlike fifteen years ago stay in grade and don't shear like they used to.
If a warranty issue arose and all we had were receipts showing oil changes done at 5k or 8k intervals, how would we prove that the oil life monitor 'told us' it was okay to go that long between changes? I don't expect to have any issues -- our '04 LT is at 81k and going smooth -- but this question has occurred to me before.
Does the computer store any historical data about how many miles since last oil life reset, average miles per unit (1 percent I suppose) of oil life used, etc??
106k on mine and been using the GMOL since day one....synthetic oil in mine since 30K and change about 7K or so......and about 20%
Can't link to other forums but there was an interesting post on bobistheoilguy about two or three years ago from the GM engineer that devised the OLM algorithm. Let's just say that it's set for dino, is very sophisticated and very conservative. You could probably run a couple of thousand miles at 0% without any real damage. This guy was so forceful and so dismissive of paying for synthetic that he angered all of the Amsoil salespeople and was summarily dropped from the list. With the right kind of searching you could find some of his posts, I don't think they were removed when he was.
Besides it's not the engine that's going to make us drop the car, it's things like front end troubles. It's got an almost bullet-proof power train (cross fingers here).
I am new to the site and am looking for some info. I have an 05 maxx and am going on my 3rd rack and pinion and the dealer swears there is no problem. I should have looked this site up after they put the 2nd one in. I bought 4 new tires around 36,000 because they wore from the inside out and now my new ones are doing the same. Any help or info would be great. Thanks
I'm confident our Maxx's engine will last very long. My question wasn't so much a worry about my car as it was a general thinking out loud about how GM handles this issue. When some manufacturers are quick to deny warranty coverage because people went 1 mile past 3,000 for a change interval, it is a different approach for GM to use an oil life monitor and advise people to follow its recommendations which often result in much longer oil change intervals than the traditional 3,000 miles.
Knock on wood, our 2004 LT hasn't had ANY of the front-end troubles or any of the other typical Maxx problems, except for the OEM rotors being too wimpy and warping quickly. We replaced them with aftermarket ones and going strong 40k mostly highway miles later.
Thanks for your time.
Nobody does anything more than they need to now a days.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0f8f96/54!make=Chevrolet&model=Malibu&ed- - _makeindex=.f0f8f96
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0f7a42/155
Our 2004 LT just passed 82k miles and I'm thinking about 'investing' several hundred bucks to take care of a few of these items and keep the car running ship shape.
check out brakeplanet for some good prices...
Steering column was never an issue....dont know why....my little things are the led back lights now working on two panel buttons now at night....no big deal....but nothing certainly mechanical to complain about.....IMHO my Maxx has been a solid car.....109K and hoping to see 150-175K out of it.....Im in the market for a new car this spring..but he Maxx will be kept as a third car for us.....
Will be calling my local shop and local dealer in the next few days to get their thoughts on what should be done now and what isn't necessary.
Questions:
1. Would you service the auto transmission on YOUR Maxx? Owners manual says to change the transaxle fluid every 50k miles if on severe service, otherwise no fluid change necessary on regular service. Do you consider this $100 or so to be a wise preventive measure, or needless spending?
2. Fuel filter -- I don't see it mentioned. Is this a replaceable item on Maxx?
3. Fuel system and air induction system -- seems wise to have these cleaned every couple/few years. What do you folks think?
4. Anybody had the cooling system serviced yet? Manual says 5 years / 150k miles. Is there any reason to do this on a 4 year old Maxx with 83k miles, or should I wait another year?
5. Is a yearly cooling pressure test a waste of money? Kinda defeats the benefit of the long-life coolant if you are spending $$ every year to have the cooling system pressure tested!
6. Spark plugs -- recommend replace @ 100k miles. Manual says replace plugs @ 100k and INSPECT wires. Does it make sense to replace the plugs but leave the old wires if they look okay?
Right now, this is what I'm considering doing:
1. Oil change, tire rotation, alignmentm new air filter -- not really part of the major service but my Maxx is due.
2. Coolant flush/fill
3. Fuel filter change (if applicable)
4. Inspect 'stuff' - hoses, brakes, belts, suspension, etc.
5. Replace spark plugs and wires.
6. Transmission fluid and filter replacement.
7. Lube hinges, key locks, etc.
Really, there isn't a whole lot that NEEDS to be done -- the Maxx has a pretty easygoing maintenance schedule IMO.
Questions
1)Yes.
2)See #3 below
3)With 70% highway, probably not needed, but couldn't hurt.
4)You are pretty close to the 5 year mark, I would
5)See #2 below
6)I would change both.
Under consideration:
1)All this sounds good.
2)I would think as long as the fluid is up and still a good colour orange it is not needed at this time.
3)Fuel filter is a part of the fuel pump and is inside the tank, could be pretty expensive.
4)Always a good idea.
5)Your within 20K couldn't hurt
6)Again a good idea, my dealer says there is no way to service the tranny. Even tho my private mechanic says he can with a Delco tranny filter, go figure.
7)Again always a good idea
You may want to do a battery / alternator load test, if you live in snow country.
Good luck
As for the fuel induction service (BG), I did mine already, but as pao already scolded me, it probably was a waste of money after only 30,000 miles. As for the alignment, why get one just because? Do you have uneven tire wear? If not, don't get it aligned, or at the most, get the alignment checked. I have been amazed at the alignment on the Maxx. Despite a pathetically poor front end on these cars, I have not had any unusual tire wear or wheel pull, and I drive 100% city on pretty harsh roads.
The only preventative maintenance item that people should look hard at are the hoses and belts. I believe our cars have timing chains, so that isn't anything to worry about, but if the hoses start getting soft, get them out.
Re: alignment, the car has been pulling somewhat to the left. I don't really notice it any more, but my wife drove the car the other day and said, 'your car is really pulling to the left.'
I will probably flush the coolant before next summer and will have the brake system flushed at the next brake service has all original fluids......will be my second brakes service....replaced all pads and turned rotors at 64K....and is due probably within the next 5K with my pad wear....may also need rotor replacement as well...
I check the air pressure often enough; out-of-whack air pressure is not the reason our car is pulling to the left.
Brakes. I have very good luck with brakes. Just got 152k out of my wifes rear brakes on her Trooper. The car did have lots of highway miles and my dad taught me how to be easy on them.
Thanks!
What did you meant "..new Dex-cool antifreeze"? The top up I added? The car came with the brownish Dex-cool I think.