Scotty, I have a 2010 GMC Yukon XL, SLT, 5.3L, AWD with 175,000 miles.
I was thinking about replacing the belts, starter, plugs, alternator, battery, pulleys, JUST BECAUSE of its age, and because we do all city driving in tough Minnesota winters, (family hauler).
I prefer to do preventative maintenance on my cars, instead of waiting till stuff breaks.
Would you recommend this stuff (or is there other stuff I’m forgetting besides fluids) BEFORE it fails? My goal is to make this truck last to 500k.
Some of those are expensive items to just throw away. BIG waste of time and money. Not to mention you might break something in the process.
Here's the thing with preventative maintenance, it's replacing stuff that may or may not fail in the future. You really don't know whether the alternator or pulleys will fail on you and when it will fail. This is why auto manufacturers have maintenance intervals in the first place...to test and/or inspect whether these components are working properly and showing any signs of failure. Some components require inspection at intervals (alternator, A/C compressor, etc.) while some require replacement at certain intervals (belts, spark plugs, etc.). Just look in your manual for the maintenance interval chart. It will tell you what needs to be replaced, inspected, and what chassis bolts/nuts to re-torque at a given interval.
Really it's a preference, and in my opinion I would wait on replacing something until it shows clear signs that it's going to fail. Hope this gives you some insight! I hope your goal comes true.
@razmigb
Maint interval charts all end at 150k...... it’s at 175k, and it’s 10 years old.
@ryanminnesota
You just continue following the interval past 150,000. For example, if it says to replace spark plugs at 60,000 and next at 120,000 miles then the interval is every 60,000 miles. So if you replace plugs at 140,000 miles, the next replacement is at 200,000 miles....and so on.
You live in Minnesota. Research the numbers for yourself, how many people suffer serious injury or loss of life because a vehicle breaks-down in bad weather?
How much does a little PM cost to prevent that from happening.
Protect yourself, protect your family, don't ask strangers for critical advice.
Just do it and give yourself peace of mind.
I have Native American relatives in Minnesota, I know, I know ...
@oldrangernut
I have a buddy who can do the work cheap for me, so it’s mostly cost of parts.
I’m leaning towards doing it, just wanted to see if anyone with the same GM motor does similar PM ?
Welcome! I live in MN too. In the vehicles manual you will find the recommended maintenance intervals for the truck. All gear fluids are to be changed every 50,000 miles. I would replace the battery based on age - all batteries have stickers on them that say when they were purchased. If its 3-years or older I would consider replacing it. Typically a battery wont leave you completely stranded and will take at least 1 jump start so you can make your way to an auto parts store.
GM recommends replacing the belt and belt drive pulleys together on your particular vehicle. They make a kit with what you need - get the kit for both the alternator drive and the serpentine drive. I would NOT replace the alternator or starter. You will have plenty of time to diagnose a faulty starter/alternator before it leaves you stranded. In my opinion its almost never a bad idea to replace spark plugs. You usually get a small bump in gas mileage from them so they pay for themselves as long as you're not being crazy about it.
Last but not least there is almost no chance you get that truck to 500,000. They just dont last that long even with perfect maintenance from a single owner vehicle.
@inthedetails
Good stuff here.... tell me why you wouldn’t do the alternator and starter?
@RyanMinnesota
Why stop there? You could also replace all the struts, axles, springs, bushings and balljoints, bearings, brake lines, master cylinder, calipers, radiator hoses ... heck might as well throw in a transmission. Or a new car!
But seriously, you have to draw the line somewhere within reason. I've never had to replace a starter. I've never had an alternator that quit suddenly. They struggle for a while first and give you warning signs.
@inthedetails
Haha!
This is awesome. So funny!
Thanks for the tips..... I only want to replace stuff that typically “goes bad” around the 200k mark. Hoping to get between 300k and 500k miles out of this family hauler..... hopefully 😉
I don't know what Minnesota is like, but around here, car cancer (rust) kills cars before they get to 300k
I would inspect the parts you are concerned about and replace as needed. Batteries are hit and miss. I had a 2000 dodge Durango that went 7 years on the original. I just replaced the battery on my 2017 Toyota Rav4. Have the battery tested if marginal replace it otherwise keep it.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. {black}:laughingoutloud:
I would drain and fill all fluids right now. Go buy GM dealer fluids and take it to a mech you know to do it, keep clean oil, and check the battery life you should be good
