My 96 GLE is due for a 60,000 mile service. I want to make sure I get everything done that's needed, without wasting money on needless things.

Recently in 9/2001, I had several things done:
-transmission flushed
-front brakes replaced
-all 3 belts replaced
-oil change

A couple days ago I had another oil change and next weekend I'll be getting the tired rotated. What else should I get inspected, replaced, or serviced to make sure I'm all checked-out and covered at 60,000 miles?


Sumner

 

www.maximadriver.com

 

60k service requires

1) Oil and filter
2) Coolant drain and refill
3) ATF drain and refill
4) Air filter
5) Fuel filter
6) General inspection (brakes, suspension, exhaust)
7) NGK Platinum spark plugs (please use the stock NGK's)

That's about it. Other than that, oil changes every 5k miles and the same service (sans plugs) every 30k and your car will run forever.

 

I just did a 60k service on my 99 SE 5 spd, and if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, you can certainly save yourself some money.

I did the following:

Plugs - NGK - $60
Tranny fluid - $10
TB Clean - $3
Radiator Flush and Fill - $5
Oil - OEM filter & Mobil 1 - $25
Fuel Filter - $10

I have a K&N Panel filter that I cleaned, at a cost of about $2.
Belts, on the other hand, I had replaced at the dealer for $65 (including parts).

Be careful when you take it to a dealer for a "60k tuneup". Be specific about what you need and what they are charging you for it. My sister-in-law took her 96SE in for a 120k service, and walked out $500 poorer. Besides a battery (about $100) she couldn't tell me what they did...

If you do take it to a dealer, get it in writing first what they are doing, and what it will cost.

 

you might want to check the drivebelts too! Check if they are cracked or hardened... yours is a 99 and time actually plays a part in this so you may be OK. Mine hit 60K after 4 years. Also take a sniff at your P/S fluid. if there is a burnt smell, flush it and refil it.

 

I did have the belts replaced, at the dealer, for $65. I will check the PS fluid. Thanks for the tip.

 

no prob!

 

For 65 bucks what did they charge for labor etc? I mean the belts only cost 10 bucks all together.

SuDZ

 

what does PS (PS fluid) mean?

like what is that?

 

what kind of tranny fluid are you using (is it GL4, GL5?) and where did you get it?

 

Power Steering Fluid

 

You may want to look into Redline fluid too. More expensive but it does shift smoother and no problems getting into first come winter time.

SuDZ

 

Belts - the dealer charged me $65, which includes the belts ($28 for the two) and a half hour labor. You can buy the two belts from Courtesy for $23+shipping. If you only paid $10, they probably weren't OEM.

Tranny fluid - I struggled with this for a while. Everyone talks about Redline, and I hear it is great. However, I just used the generic stuff and it seems to work fine for now. If I ever get around to putting on the short throw shifter, I may go for the Redline. The manual says to use API GL-4 fluid. I had a hard time finding anything but GL-5, but eventually found some at Autozone. Don't really know what the difference is....