Best Way to Get Manual's Preventative Maintenance Items Done

Tiny
PFUSION
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 FORD FUSION
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
Hello,

I am knowledgeable enough to do basic maintenance such as changing the oil and replacing spark plugs. I was reading the manual to determine what preventative maintenance it recommends, and I realized that there are a good number of items that I do not know how to do. For example,

- Replace drive belt
- Lubricate ball joint and u-joints if equipped with perk fittings
- Inspect wheels ends for endplay and noise
- Change PCV Valve Filter
- Inspect exhaust system and heat shields
- Replace thermostat
- Change brake fluid
- Change transfer case oil
- Change differential fluid
- Change transmission fluid and filter
- Inspect half shaft dust boots
- Check shocks and struts and other suspension components for leaks and damage. Inspect steering and linkage.
- Parking brake: Check/adjust
- et al.

I was hoping to do some reading to learn how to do these things, but given that there are many things like this that I do not know how to do, I may not have time to learn all of them before they are due.

I think perhaps for some (if not most) of these items, I should just go to a mechanic and have them check and see if they need to be done. I was wondering if you could possibly offer any advice about how to do this without getting ripped off? Should I just take the list in and ask how much he would charge to do all these things?

Any help is appreciated.
Sunday, September 25th, 2016 AT 2:52 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes, take your list in of things to do and he can give you a price before he starts. Brake fluid should be changed every two years and it is best for a mechanic to do it so as to not have any abs problems with brakes as so many diy people have today.
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Sunday, September 25th, 2016 AT 4:28 PM

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