Truck Maintenance

[QuarterMillionMan]

Changed my engine air filter ($9.99 from eBay) today using the new push pin removal tool ($8.99 from eBay) which made it a breeze. The filter was filthy dirty. Saved maybe $100 what a shop may have charged. While I had the hood opened used a 12 volt compact air compressor to top off the air in my tires. Washed my car and cleaned the interior windows with Dawn soap & water. And dusted off my floor mats (not dirty to the point where I have to use a shop vac. I hate dirty windows which causes glare and blurry vision.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Installed the LED strip lights on my back bumper, looks nice but the double sided tape remains to be seen if it'll remain adhered especially in rain. I'll check it from time to time and apply epoxy if needed. Had to drill a small hole in the plastic bumper to hide the wires from hanging down the bumper (drill baby drill).

[QuarterMillionMan]

I'll be ordering this 60" LED strip light for added visibility. BTW, I installed the rain deflectors which looks nice and will be functional in the rain. I haven't yet changed my engine air filter yet. Waiting on this tool in order to remove some push pins to remove the air intake duct assembly.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Rec'd today my $8.99 trailer lights tester, it works like a champ. Left = lights on (steady light on), middle = left blinker (flashing light), right = right blinker (flashing light). Brake lights = middle & right LED lights (steady light on), but I was unable to test the brake lights solo.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Today rec'd my acrylic rain guards from Temu. Temu credited my account $5 due to late delivery but I wasn't in a rush to receive the item but that is Temu's policy. I also rec'd an engine air filter today from eBay. Will install both on a later date.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Yesterday's main objective was locating the wiring harness connector for the trailer hitch lights which I was successful in locating. Today's main objective was to send the wires through the rear spare wheel well to the trailer hitch. I had to remove the rear threshold plate, spare tire, etc. I ran a fish tape (electrician's language for first using a stiff wire through the body of the vehicle then fastening it to the wiring harness and pulling it through the vehicle body). Then reassembling the parts back together. All together today today It took me about 30 mins. The only remaining task is to order the flat 4 pin tester for $8.99 from eBay to ascertain that the lights work. I love to DIY and save my money. Others love to pay for services. My neighbor paid $150 to detail her car. I wash, polish & wax, and vacuum my own car for free. I can go on & on of ways I save money by cutting my own hair, manicuring my own finger nails & toe nails, etc.

[QuarterMillionMan]

U-Haul wanted $250 to install this wire harness for the trailer hitch. I installed it myself by removing some rear trunk panels and locating the harness connector. Next I'll order this $8.99 flat 4 pin tester from eBay to test if it functions. Sometimes it pays to be confident enough to DIY rather than to pay the professionals.

[bjl584]

I'm due for an oil change and tire rotation on my truck.
I'll be doing it myself in the garage
We finally have some warmer weather here this week

[ua_guy]

The dealer or AAMCO may or may not do a flush, hard to say. Flushes aren't recommended for some transmissions. But it's likely they would change the filter and clean out the pan. If the transmission requires a filter during its service, that's not something I'd skip out on if it was my vehicle.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I'm guessing it was just draining out the old oil and not completely flushing out the entire transmission. I would think that AAMCO and the Chevy dealer would do the same thing as Only Transmissions. Or maybe that is why AAMCO wanted $400 and the Chevy dealer wanted $500 which they would completely flush out all the old transmission oil. I'll have to get clarification from them later what exactly would be done. This is the $110 receipt for the full synthetic oil change & filter at Lube Express.

[ua_guy]

Paid $196 for transmission oil change at Only Transmission near me, dropped off & walked 1/2 mile home in the rain. 1 hour later got the call to pick up. AAMCO wanted $400, the Chevy dealership wanted $500. Also near me is a Fast Lube so got a full synthetic motor oil change for $110. The oil change guys were waiting for customers and guided me into the garage, 1 guy went down the stairs and drained the old oil while the other guy checked the tires then refilled the oil, total time spent 5 minutes at Fast Lube, in and out.

You potentially got ripped off... hope not.

You should verify with the Chevy dealership service department what the CVT service on those requires. Only Transmissions (why does that sound familiar, is it like Only Fans?) charged you for 5 quarts of "CVT oil", $80, plus $100 in labor.. The capacity on that transmission is ~9 quarts, so it's likely they replaced less than half the fluid. It appears they also didn't pull the pan, clean any debris collection magnets, or replace a filter. They charged you $100 to pull a drain plug and then pour 5 quarts back in.

~$16/quart it better be GOOD cvt fluid. But it sounds like they did less than half the required service on that transmission. But hey, you only paid half of what a reputable shop was going to charge, right?

[QuarterMillionMan]

Paid $196 for transmission oil change at Only Transmission near me, dropped off & walked 1/2 mile home in the rain. 1 hour later got the call to pick up. AAMCO wanted $400, the Chevy dealership wanted $500. Also near me is a Fast Lube so got a full synthetic motor oil change for $110. The oil change guys were waiting for customers and guided me into the garage, 1 guy went down the stairs and drained the old oil while the other guy checked the tires then refilled the oil, total time spent 5 minutes at Fast Lube, in and out.

[ua_guy]

What about battery replacement?

A quick google search says $13,000 to $25,000.

For typical maintenance, google says $250 to $800.

Both of the above were for Tesla.

Maintenance on our EV has been almost nothing in 2.5 years of ownership. 25k miles and the tires still don't need replaced. Brake pads are still new because they rarely get used (regenerative braking). It went in for its 2 year maintenance (inspection service) a couple months ago which is covered by the manufacturer. They recommended a brake fluid flush which is per the owner's manual and not an uncommon interval for a European vehicle. That was covered.

Other than washer fluid and keeping the tires properly aired up, it hasn't needed anything nor will it need anything for 2 more years. The battery has an 8 year 100k warranty and for our vehicle specifically, people are seeing many more miles than that. Same with Tesla... 200k++ isn't uncommon at all.

Battery replacements are expensive. With a gas vehicle you're looking at all kinds of maintenance and services on an engine/transmission within that interval. Engines/transmissions also need to be rebuilt or replaced along with AWD units, turbochargers, and all the driveline/axles that EV's don't have.

Collision repair on EV's is rapidly changing. Most of them now use easily replaceable bumper covers and other body panels same as ICE vehicles. The downside is if you punch a battery, it's probably going to have to be removed, and that's a lot of labor, similar to a frame replacement on an ICE pickup. Then the battery has to be repaired or replaced. Batteries can be repaired, and they are recycled if they are no longer serviceable.

Everyone thinks the Ford Crown Victoria holds the title on the toughest/longest lasting fleet vehicle. Nope. It's the Prius hybrid, those things go hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles as cabs, and battery replacements are rarer than you'd think.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Ua_guy knows his stuff about insurance. Everything applied to me except I didn't need any medical treatment. I think my 2" trailer hitch absorbed most of the collision which bent the frame down and pushed the bike rack pole into the hatchback. I submitted receipts for rental cars for 3 weeks which was the amount of time it took to fix my car. Even then I didn't a rental the entire time. I want to submit receipt for rides on Uber/Lyft where once I paid $25 each way to Exer-urgent care for a different medical problem unrelated to the accident. I thought I had STD and got tested (urine & blood) and the Dr gave me a shot in the butt (Rocephin injection) and an oral antibiotic Doxycline but the tests came back negative for STDs nor HIV. This could make for a whole new thread but I'll leave it at that.

[myrdale]

Guys - I just wanted to point that electric vehicles are typically cheaper to maintain. Soooo....maybe consider an electric vehicle for your next car

What about battery replacement?

A quick google search says $13,000 to $25,000.

For typical maintenance, google says $250 to $800.

Both of the above were for Tesla.