Servicing schedules

[Viper_Larry]

My Viper is due it's MoT in a couple of weeks and the usual yearly service.

Now I've been following the service schedule by the book yearly, so it's now due the 82,500 mile service, even though it's only on 32k. As my Viper has Chrysler stamps from new, I'm going to keep doing this, but what do others do?

I don't mind changing brake pads, wiper motors etc., myself, but if you're only doing a yearly service, it is necessary to follow the schedule precisely? I guess a dealer only has this option so they can stamp the book...

[RT/10Dave]

Graham, Send Baz an email...

[ViperDave]

Generally speaking I change all the fluids every 2 years with engine oil and chassis/body lube every year. I tend to just keep an eye on hardware consumables. I.e. my existing PCV worked better than the fram one I had to replace it and was perfectly ok so I left it in there. Spark plugs are so cheap and easy every 2 years is not a problem although I probably should have done the plug wires a bit sooner than I did as I was getting shocks off them when I was trying to diagnose my exhaust leak. Nice new ones are on there now and I’ll do them again in 4 years time. The hard bits to decide when to change are things like hoses and belts as they don’t really show signs of wear but are getting a bit long in the tooth. I put new rad hoses on last year and a new belt this, although neither particularly looked in bad shape.

With a full book of stamps you should definitely try and keep that up but make sure they do things that rely on time rather than mileage, coolant and break fluid are the main ones off the top of my head.