We've gotten our money's worth and haven't had a single problem if the engine blows up tomorrow hey not ideal but thats just what you get when you buy such a car.
13 years out of a previous rental Kia is already great imo

I asked them , tranny fluid changed a year ago, oil changed every 3k miles.... It seems they are doing a good job so I guess we'll see what happens.

Thanks.

This!

I know, but I usually click on questions about car buying, I have limited knowlege under the hood so usually I answer those kinds of questions with Scotty's videos.
But thanks anyways.

well what about Scotty's videos. He talks about maintenance over and over. You watch those don't you?

I generally skip those maintenance parts because I never needed them but I guess we haven't had problems for 13 years might as well keep on doing what we are doing I'll check the owners manual and if needed watch a video Scotty has on a specific maintenance item.

Again, I know more about car buying than under the hood BY FAR so I usually don't understand what he means in lots of cases.

well I guess the coolant would have been changed when you did the pump... so you're fine there.

Have you ever changed the ATF? You can tell a lot about these things just by looking at them/smelling them. I've even seen people TASTE them. (I don't)

The ATF was last changed a year ago so that should be fine (from what I know). Oil changes every 3k miles. I know small stuff like the cabin air filter and stuff are changed.

- Air filter
- cabin filter (if any).
- sunroof drains (if any)
- rotating the tires every 8k or so will help them to last longer. Air them up to the pressure on your door sticker.

So are you going to start paying more attention to the mechanical stuff now? You will need it when you get a car of your own. Unless you get rich and find a good mechanic I guess. But even then, it helps to know for when you get stuck on the side of the road.

that reminds me ... you should check the emergency equip once in a while too.

air filter and cabin air filter done regularly, Kia doesn't bother to give a sunroof to 13 year base model SUVs so not an issue. Tire rotation noted....
wdym by emergency equipment? You mean like scan codes for ABS, Airbags, etc?

No. Stuff you need in case things go sideways! Picture yourself in a bad situation. Will you be prepared and comfortable, or helpless and miserable?

Image it's night, dark, and you break down far away from civilization. It could be hours before help arrives, or maybe there's no cell reception at all. The car doesn't start, so you don't have power or heat.

Is your spare tire ready to go and safe to drive on? Does your car jack work smoothly or is it rusted shut? Do you have tools for the lug nuts?

You should also keep something for your visibility and safety. Be it a flare, reflective cone, flasher etc. You definitely need a flashlight to be able to see what you're doing. Some basic tools can't hurt. A knife. Pliers. Screwdriver. The radiator boils over, or the hose bursts. Do you have duct tape? Extra fluids? You should definitely keep at least a quart of oil and a gallon of water (which you can drink too).

What if (heaven forbid) there's a crash? Do you have a first aid kit? Emergency blanket?

in Europe you can get a fine for not having some of these things.

@kerem right now https://imgur.com/a/5DVaWwC

{black}:laugh:

Hopefully, all what Joe has mentioned will start to make more sense, when you have your own 4 wheels.

@kerem, worst case, just tow a spare car on a trailer, behind your vehicle.

I probably could get a FIat 500 for a decent price I would be putting 0 miles on it that way and I could fill it up to the brim with emergency equipment.
I will do the maths on how much would fit when I get into Calculus {black}:smile:

ok thats what I thought thanks

Er....
Mirrors had fluids?
I never saw liquid leaking from it so its a good sign?

You know what I think this thread is more of a teach Kerem parts of a car rather than maintenance lol

So much info that you know I will overcomplicate.... I hope this is all in the owners manual they better have made the manual for people who know nothing about cars.

This is very valuable information. I just thought a mirror just was a piece of plastic with a mini mirror in it. Fluid? Who designed that c'mon.

Engine oil changed every 3-4k miles, and the ATF was last changed a year and half ago (and before that most likely as well).

From what I see thats good maintenence (also from the fact there hasn't been any major mechanical issue in 11 years of ownership I know of) but wanted to see what you all thought.

No leaks nothing runs just fine.

@kerem spark plugs, coolant, brake fluid changed? How does the power steering fluid look (is it dirty?) Tires rotated? How much brake pad is left? Check all those against the manual.

Thanks, I'll keep those in mind. I have no idea about the maintenance of those so I will ask them what they did and check the owners manual.

Inquiring more about my father's car maintenace, I see he does a very good job. Anyways, if I were to just bring my personal car that I would get later on into the mechanic for an inspection every 5k miles or so, have the oil changed, they would inform me if I need to get things done right? Of course I'd check the owners manual as well but would they remind me to get my brake fluid changed or mirror fluid thingy thinged assuming they are a good mechanic?

Man car ownership is more stressful than I thought before I even owned one good thing I have this forum.

Definitely getting a Toyota now if I had any doubt before I don't want to deal with more maintenance than I have to.