Couple dumb car questions

[ezmobee]

I went to get my oil changed last night at Firestone because I had a coupon for an $18.99 change. Unfortunately they were backed up and said it would be a couple hours before they got to me. So I already had it in my head that I wasn't going to be paying $30 for an oil change so I went across the street to Wal-Mart and picked up some oil and a filter. I changed my oil when I got home and remembered why I stopped changing my own oil. Anyway, when I was in Wal-Mart I could have sworn my car called for 5W-30 oil and that's what I bought. When I got home and opened the hood the oil cap said to use 10W-30. I went ahead and put the 5W in. Is this going to cause any problems? I bought decent quality Valvoline Max-Life oil.

2nd question....My car is a 2000 Buick Regal with a 3800 and it is approaching 150k miles. It has been a fantastic car and I haven't had to do jack to it repair wise until my major A/C overhaul this spring. The car is running great and still gets pretty darn good gas mileage for a large V6. My question is, it still has (as far as I know) the original plugs and wires in it. Being front wheel drive replacing the plugs myself is pretty much an impossibility and it will cost me and arm and a leg to have a mechanic do it. Should I have this done? Are there any other maintenance things I should have done? I'm thinking a fuel filter is in order. I have had my tranny fluid changed twice since I've owned the car at around 80k and 130k miles.

 

[mike64]

Re: Couple dumb car questions

you should be ok oil-wise. The "W" in 5W-30 is for "winter", the viscosity the oil will have in the cold, so it's not even a factor this time of year. Here's a little more info for ya:
http://www.searchforparts.com/important_articles/which_oil_do_i_use.php

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Couple dumb car questions

As far as you tune up question, yes, change the wires and the plugs. Also the surpentine belt if it has not been done in awhile! I have done a spark plug change on that particular engine and five of the plugs are not bad, but there is one on the back that is a bugger! Make sure that if you have it done that they actually change that plug. Unfortunatly is is too common of a practice to not change that plug and send you down the road!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Couple dumb car questions

Thanks guys, I figured I was OK on the oil. Yes, and I forgot, I did just change the serpentine belt myself a couple months ago. We've been driving the doors off this car as we bought an '04 AWD Chrysler Pacifica back in January that we can no longer afford to put gas in. Really sucks. The thing just sits there in the garage and maybe gets driven on Saturdays if we're taking our 10 month old somewhere. I'd love to unload it but I'm sure we're stuck with it for a while.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Couple dumb car questions

I went to get my oil changed last night at Firestone because I had a coupon for an $18.99 change. Unfortunately they were backed up and said it would be a couple hours before they got to me. So I already had it in my head that I wasn't going to be paying $30 for an oil change so I went across the street to Wal-Mart and picked up some oil and a filter. I changed my oil when I got home and remembered why I stopped changing my own oil. Anyway, when I was in Wal-Mart I could have sworn my car called for 5W-30 oil and that's what I bought. When I got home and opened the hood the oil cap said to use 10W-30. I went ahead and put the 5W in. Is this going to cause any problems? I bought decent quality Valvoline Max-Life oil.

2nd question....My car is a 2000 Buick Regal with a 3800 and it is approaching 150k miles. It has been a fantastic car and I haven't had to do jack to it repair wise until my major A/C overhaul this spring. The car is running great and still gets pretty darn good gas mileage for a large V6. My question is, it still has (as far as I know) the original plugs and wires in it. Being front wheel drive replacing the plugs myself is pretty much an impossibility and it will cost me and arm and a leg to have a mechanic do it. Should I have this done? Are there any other maintenance things I should have done? I'm thinking a fuel filter is in order. I have had my tranny fluid changed twice since I've owned the car at around 80k and 130k miles.

Spark plugs on the GM 3.8l are easy. The right side (rear) plugs can be accessed by removing the grey plastic engine shroud and then leaning over the engine to access them. There is plenty of room, just take your time.
Oil has allways been 10w30 on that engine. Most new engine designs take 5w20 or 30.
Transmission fluid should be flushed every 30k miles and have the filter replaced every 60-75. That is also an easy job and the gasket is re-useable.
Coolant should be flushed at 100k (carefull with that dexcool, refer to my post on it) Power steering fluid is recommended at 45k intervals. Serpentine belt at 75-100k. Various other items should be checked, ball joints, tie rod ends etc.. but if you service your car at a shop they should be checking those items for you.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Couple dumb car questions

PA state inspection is a b!tch so if I have any tie-rod or ball joint issues they will certainly be caught. I'm actually surprised I've gone this long without needing any and usually I can tell readily when a tie rod is out and it's still good right now. I actually don't expect any issues with inspection this year despite my high mileage. I accidently put the wrong radiator fluid in it one time when I needed to add some so I ended up flushing the heck out of everything and refilled with regular anti-freeze. I had some gunk in there and for while expected that a head gasket was leaking but nothing seems to have come of it. I guess I'll have the trans fluid done again and have them drop the pan and change out the filter. I'll look into doing the plugs myself if you think I can do it. I had a bad experience doing that on an '87 Ciera with a V6. I broke a couple off before I managed to get the 3 back ones in. Should I replace the wires? Every day this car keeps running is money in my pocket. My wife and I both commute 80 miles round trip in it every day putting probably close to 25k a year on it. This is my 3rd Regal and has been the best one.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Couple dumb car questions

PA state inspection is a b!tch so if I have any tie-rod or ball joint issues they will certainly be caught. I'm actually surprised I've gone this long without needing any and usually I can tell readily when a tie rod is out and it's still good right now. I actually don't expect any issues with inspection this year despite my high mileage. I accidently put the wrong radiator fluid in it one time when I needed to add some so I ended up flushing the heck out of everything and refilled with regular anti-freeze. I had some gunk in there and for while expected that a head gasket was leaking but nothing seems to have come of it. I guess I'll have the trans fluid done again and have them drop the pan and change out the filter. I'll look into doing the plugs myself if you think I can do it. I had a bad experience doing that on an '87 Ciera with a V6. I broke a couple off before I managed to get the 3 back ones in. Should I replace the wires? Every day this car keeps running is money in my pocket. My wife and I both commute 80 miles round trip in it every day putting probably close to 25k a year on it. This is my 3rd Regal and has been the best one.

If your are at all mechanicaly inclined replacing those plugs should not be a problem. Remove the engine shroud and lean over the top, may need a knuckle on your socket to get the correct angle, take your time. I'd do the right/rear first so the hard part is over right away.
You really dont need to replace the wires unless you break one or find damage, they are like $80.
The trans job is easy too.
Cars are expensive mistresses to keep but doing the work yourself eases some of the pain.

 

[jimr]

Re: Couple dumb car questions

when I tuned up my 01 regal getting the plug boots off was the hardest part of the job. the 3.8 is a great motor. mine has over 150 on it but it has started using oil between changes and I havent looked for the reason yet. I will probably swap to 15w40 if it gets worse. we use it in everything at work and have no oil problems.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Couple dumb car questions

The 3800 is a super engine! My wife doesn't drive much (but we are using her care more lately) and has a '91 Bonneville with the 3.8. It gets between 32 and 36mpg on the highway and mid 20's around town. Not bad for a full size, seats 6 car. She is about to turn 50,000 miles on the Bonnie (did I mention she doesn't drive much) and will not think of getting another vehicle at this point.

When I was in the car business we had MANY of the 3.8's that had over 200,000 miles on them that were running great. Just keep them serviced and they will keep you happy.

The old 151 Iron Duke was another solid performer.