My car is approaching 4 years old and done just a tad over 14k with the last service done at B&C last May.
Apart from changing the oil, what else is there to do on the Toyota engine / car, is it just ‘visual checks’ and some diagnostic work.
My nearest ‘specialists’ are Hanger 111 and or Sinclaires, but I have a more than competant Mechanic who looks after the basics - do I need to visit a Lotus specialist for an annual service ???
I suppose it depends upon how long you are going to keep it and resale values. I am guessing a service history from a specialist like Sinclaires is worth more than one from a non-specialist.
Not so much interested in resale, just about understanding what is actually completed during an annual service and can my local man (who is very competant) do the work without any fancy specialist knowledge or OBD reader / diagnostic tool.
Had a look at the maintenance schedule that Sinclaires use and it looks very straight-forward. Usual bits and bobs: oil, air, plugs cooling, brakes, steering & suspension plus ECu scan using Lotus tool. Every 9k/ 12 months. 6years for transmission oil and plugs 4 years for coolant.
HTH
Well I am not planning on going back to a dealers either, I want to get the oil changed before my next trackday, my issue is which oil to use Mobil, Silkolene etc then which grade to use 5W-40 etc? will there be an issue with mixing with what is in there as it is hard to drain the coolers?
What exact oil are the dealers supposed to use, maybe it is best to stick to that?
As for resale values I don’t think it makes a great deal of difference as long as it is serviced and is stamped up correctly.
Hi Ade, there is a fair bit left in the cooler as you say, but mixing synthetic oils is not really a problem.
I have used Motul 5w 40 V300 in all my highly strung cars, for many years, and that’s what will be going in the S. As we are coming into summer, a 5w is a good choice. 10w will still be ok, and 15w is too much. As for the second number (viscosity at operating temp) I’d stick with 40.
You’re a bit far from Phoenix in Accrington, but for anyone up North, they are the best!
Not so much interested in resale, just about understanding what is actually completed during an annual service and can my local man (who is very competant) do the work without any fancy specialist knowledge or OBD reader / diagnostic tool.
I’d recommend getting some sort of generic ODB reader. Mine has paid for itself several times over in the last year, with reading and reseting codes on a Seat, Mondeo, and the Lotus.