I just hit 15,000 miles on my '04 Lancer ES and I know that the Mitsubish dealerships offer a 15,000 mile service deal but it's like 200 bucks and I'm not sure if it's worth it. I guess my question is what should I do to my car now that it's hit 15,000 miles?

*comes off as a complete idiot*

 

eh, just do it, you should get some money back for keeping your car well maintained by the dealer at trade in if nothing else.

 

Well I called the dealer up and asked what they do for that and I know they mentioned changing the air filter and an oil change and a few other things. It wasn't nearly as extensive as I thought so I figure I could do it myself if I could just find out exactly what I need to do. If no though, I'll just... put myself into more debt to get the stupid service done at the dealer...

 

Just look in the owner's manual. It tells you all mileage services recommended by mitsu and what is usually entailed within each one. Although I don't think its included in the manual, most lancer's are due for a new set of brake pads at about 15,000 mi. Depends on how hard you drive.

 

Those XXXXXX miles services are a joke. I don't even think they change you plugs until the 50K service.... If you really want to pay someone else to do simple stuff for you, go to Grease Monkey - they're just as likely to get it done right as the dealership is. I'll even sell you my K&N panel filter for super cheap, and you'd only have to buy another new one at 115,000 miles (be sure to clean it regularaly, though)

BTW you should be getting your regular oil changes (3K miles), plug changes (the longest I've gone is 10K miles and I will only use the inexpensive copper NGKs) and annual coolant flush (the service manual says to get the car up to temp and then just loosen that plug on lower part of the radiator until it stops flowing. You'll have to jack up the car to get a bucket under there) The dealer may only call you in onc a year for service, but you're still responsible for the general maintenance of the car.

 

I change my oil every 2,500 miles but I've never changed my spark plugs or my coolant. I thought the plugs were good for more than 10,000 miles... and I didn't even know about the coolant. I guess I had better get right on that.

Fox

 

Don't do it! I did the whole 15k service myself and it was CHEAP AND EASY. $8 for oil, $4 for an oil filter, $15 for an air filter, and $20 for spark plugs and you're done. Oh yeah, and for the 30k service, another $50 for brake pads, $10 for gear oil and $20 for radiator fluid. I can't believe I paid people hundreds of dollars to do this!

 

Most spark plugs last 20-50k. The racing ones don't last long, but your platinum ones should be good for at least 20k, probably 30. And I live in the hot Cali sun, and the radiator fluid is just starting to be dirty after 45k. They just recommend it more often because (a) it's preventative and (b) they get more money more often.

 

I agree- and the knowlegde that some monkey is getting paid my hard earned cash basically inspired me to do my first oil change (on my first car)... and then plugs.... and then auto-tranny fluid... and now MT oil.... and, well, look at the list of crap I've done since These people that get paid to perform these services are a) just people b) probably not any smarter than you are (so if they could figure it out, so can you) c) don't give a damn if the job gets done right, they just want your money (and you know you want it done right, so you'll read the manual and only put in 4 qt, instead of 5 or more) and d) they prey on the fear and laziness of the average consumer - tehy want you to think you're gonna break something if you attempt to DIY.....

As for the plugs, I've read studies that show huge gains from platinum plugs (mostly for american cars) and studies that have shown no gain from platinum plugs (mostly for Japanese cars). I use the copper NGKs because I know they work and they're cheap to replace. at $9 a set, I can afford to replace at least 6 sets to every one set of platinum plugs. Plus, new, clean, properly gapped plugs are a cheap source of HP and reliable ignition before that autocross day

 

Well, I usually do break SOMETHING the first time I try anything... usually those darn plastic clips!

 

If there were a trial for war crimes against inatimate objects I'd be sentenced to death for all of the plastic clips I've destroyed over the years. Who the hell invented those things anyways?

Fox

 

Alright thanks for the advice. I'll get it done myself!