Nomination for "BEST Automotive Maintenance Feature Ever"

[58Yeoman]

Some Tacoma's are best done pulling the passenger wheel and pulling part of the inner fender..

As much I like oil filter on top, like some toyotas, some subaru, some mercedes it does tend to make a mess.

Easiest car I ever worked on was Mitsubishi Eclipse, specifically with the 4g63. Minimal special tools, 4 cylinders are almost always easiest to work on.

The newest Subie that I've had was an '08, and the filter was on the bottom. I've never had an upside down filter on any of my vehicles. Does the oil stay in the filter and not drain out? If that's the case, can you poke a hole in the top of the filter to provide a vent to let the oil drain?

 

[glentre]

I have a 1931 Model A ......... EVERYTHING is easy! Also a 1931 Chrysler which is almost as easy.

Glen

 

[jeepntxj]

Water pump and radiator on the 6.7 cummins in an '07 Dodge Ram. Changed both in under an hour and a half. Only thing that would have made it easier is a petcock or drain plug on the radiator.

 

[aka Larry]

Water pump and radiator on the 6.7 cummins in an '07 Dodge Ram. Changed both in under an hour and a half. Only thing that would have made it easier is a petcock or drain plug on the radiator.

When did they stop putting these in? I replaced a t-stat on a '06 Silverado and it didn't have a petcock on the radiator either. Hard to keep from making a mess when you have to pull the lower hose to drain it.

 

[CoogarXR]

Cars with the big spring-loaded hinges on the hoods. Easy to open, no prop rods, and no dumb gas struts to leak/wear out. Something I always appreciated...

 

[jeepntxj]

When did they stop putting these in? I replaced a t-stat on a '06 Silverado and it didn't have a petcock on the radiator either. Hard to keep from making a mess when you have to pull the lower hose to drain it.

No clue, but I was cussing it when I pulled that lower rad hose and got soaked!

 

[maxpower_hd]

One Mazda I worked on and more recently a BMW a friend has. A trap door under the rear seat so you can test and replace the fuel pump without dropping a full tank of gas.

 

[md21722]

Opposite of the other thread about unnecessarily difficult maintenance, praise the engineers that make it easy!


1 good example, my 1999 C230K Benz, if you have a tailight bulb go out....


1. the dash tells you that there is a bulb out
2. open trunk, pull back fabric, turn one knob, pull out tray with all push-on lights in it.

amazing

They have been doing that for many years...

In reference to oil changes. On my benz it has a top cartridge filter too. So you just crack the filler cap, drain like normal out the bottom, then crack the top filter cap, wait a sec, and remove it, easy peasy filter change with no mess....great thing.

My diesel had a big cartridge that even came with a handle!

i do not have a jack point like that on my (older) benz, i dont think, looks nice though.

Older had rubber blocks that fit into holes in four corners. It was somewhat common for them to fall out and not be replaced.

 

[nh_yota]

The headlight bulbs in my 01 Rav4 were easy to change because they were H4 bulbs held into the housing with spring-loaded clamps and there was a decent amount of free space behind the housing to work with. Pop the hood and you could replace both bulbs in under a minute if you knew what you were doing. My Tacoma has the same setup but not much free space behind the housing so it's a bit of struggle to get the bulbs in and out.

 

[Angelfire]

Not a car manufacturer but I really like my Fumoto drain valves! Been using them for years without a single problem.

http://www.fumotousa.com/

Cheers

 

[FoxDen]

Not a car manufacturer but I really like my Fumoto drain valves! Been using them for years without a single problem.

http://www.fumotousa.com/

Cheers

I've always been interested in these, but I'm a little hesitant. Maybe you can put my concerns to rest. Seems like something sticking out from the oil pan is likely to catch/bend/break. Does road grime gunk up the valve? Does anyone have experience with these that doesn't stay on the road all the time? Snow packed country roads where the under carriage may drag at times, bouncing across corn stubble, etc, etc. Thanks

 

[kylerohde]

I've always been interested in these, but I'm a little hesitant. Maybe you can put my concerns to rest. Seems like something sticking out from the oil pan is likely to catch/bend/break. Does road grime gunk up the valve? Does anyone have experience with these that doesn't stay on the road all the time? Snow packed country roads where the under carriage may drag at times, bouncing across corn stubble, etc, etc. Thanks

Had 'em on both our cars for over a year with zero issue but I don't drive on roads like you do. I'd stay away if you really do get as much rubbing as you said. They make a plastic piece that goes over the valve to help prevent it but again, don't think it's made for what you're talking about.

Get this, my '03 Sierra has the upgraded Bose speaker package, head unit has CD player and cassette.

Lexus was the last manufacturer to get rid of cassette players - 2009 model year, if memory serves.

 

[Angelfire]

I've always been interested in these, but I'm a little hesitant. Maybe you can put my concerns to rest. Seems like something sticking out from the oil pan is likely to catch/bend/break. Does road grime gunk up the valve? Does anyone have experience with these that doesn't stay on the road all the time? Snow packed country roads where the under carriage may drag at times, bouncing across corn stubble, etc, etc. Thanks

I've had mine on my 95 Wrangler and that thing spends more time offroad in the rocks, snow, mud than on-road without issue. Of course I have a beefy skidplate that protects the pan and consequently the valve. They do carry one that doesn't have the tubing ****** which means it's shorter. I too was worried a bit about it sticking out but the angle and such on my vehicles means it really doesn't. Yeah, they get a bit dirty from road grime and mud but I just give them a wipe and good to go.

 

[tonyciambrone]

The newest Subie that I've had was an '08, and the filter was on the bottom. I've never had an upside down filter on any of my vehicles. Does the oil stay in the filter and not drain out? If that's the case, can you poke a hole in the top of the filter to provide a vent to let the oil drain?

Haha I'm embarassed I never thought of sticking a screw driver through when I started the oil change...that would probably work. But yes the filter typically still has oil on it and usually the pedestal or whatever does not catch all of it.

I was just guessing 2008 was when they started to standardize on oil filter on top, might have been 2010 though. my 2001 forester is definitely on bottom. 1993 190e is on top by the firewall.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Some of the older Ford engines had a low engine oil sensor that lit a warning light on the dash if you were one quart low. .

I know my kid's Fox Mustang has this (1989) 5.0 engine. He was telling me the low oil light was on and I freaked out thinking he meant "low oil pressure light". NOPE. Low oil light.

Phil

 

[tonyciambrone]

And bulb out indicators are cool, until you get a car with all functioning bulbs, and you must track down which part of the circuit has too much/too little resistance...

 

[couch67]

on my '09 accord (and '02 odyssey previously), when the windshield washer low indicator came on, you could pour a full gallon of washer fluid into the reservoir.

Every other sh*tbox I've owned previously would only take 1/2 a jug or so when the light came on. A very small detail that I appreciate every time I fill it up.

 

[Seppala]

Sealed beam headlights. I miss how easy they were to remove and replace.

 

[cpttuna]

My jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 engine takes a NAPA gold 1085 filter. However you can put a NAPA gold 1515 'OVERSIZE' filter on it also. This way you have the choice of 1/2 extra quart of oil being added or extra filtering space. Will work on masny other applications if you do your homework.

 

[Nexussian]

I have to suggest that the warranty on any new vehicle is the absolute best "maintenance" feature.

 

[Backyard Imports]

The dry intake manifold.

It may not be a "maintenance" item but whoever decided to take the coolant out of them is a genius.

On the other thread people were complaining about having to remove the intake manifold on a Toyota to change the starter. I say, big deal. It has a dry intake and a reusable gasket. 10 bolts and pull it up... no big deal. You don't even have to use a lift.

Anybody who has wrenched for a living know what I am talking about. Chevy/Buick 3.4/3.8 with leaky coolant passages on the intake. The Chevy V8's where the coolant "quick release" fitting in the intake corrodes and fails and now won't release at all. And when you try to remove it, it just breaks apart and you have to cut it out and tap the hole to get the leftovers.


Whoever decided to remove the coolant passages from the intake manifolds is my friend.

 

[SuitorsGarage]

Drain plug on transmission pans.

 

[JRC3]

Drain plug on transmission pans.

What manufacture does that?

 

[pstnbly]

Nissan

 

[couch67]

Honda has trans drain plugs as well. Draining only gets what is in the pan though, about 3L of fluid. about 4+L stays in the torque converter and other parts of the transmission.

Honda recommends doing a 3x drain and fill with some driving in between. I did one 3x drain and fill (9L) , and now do a 1x drain and fill (3L) every 2nd oil change.

couch

 

[MikeF2316]

The dry intake manifold.

It may not be a "maintenance" item but whoever decided to take the coolant out of them is a genius.

On the other thread people were complaining about having to remove the intake manifold on a Toyota to change the starter. I say, big deal. It has a dry intake and a reusable gasket. 10 bolts and pull it up... no big deal. You don't even have to use a lift.

Anybody who has wrenched for a living know what I am talking about. Chevy/Buick 3.4/3.8 with leaky coolant passages on the intake. The Chevy V8's where the coolant "quick release" fitting in the intake corrodes and fails and now won't release at all. And when you try to remove it, it just breaks apart and you have to cut it out and tap the hole to get the leftovers.


Whoever decided to remove the coolant passages from the intake manifolds is my friend.

I think this a product of fuel injection vs. carbs. With a carb, you need to get that lump of cold metal that's the intake manifold up to temperature so your gasoline doesn't condense out.

The old 4 cylinder iron block aluminum head Volvo engine had plugs in the head under the first and last intake ports when the engine was fuel injected. When the engine had a carb, these plugs weren't there and coolant flowed through the manifold.

 

[MikeF2316]

I nominate the service interval light. Takes all the guesswork about when to change the oil and check over everything.

 

[oldtractors]

My 2003 S10 four cylinder, 2wd. There is a built in funnel under the oil filter that catches the oil and outputs it right next to the oil pan drain plug. That part is awesome. However, nearly every other maintenance item has to be done through the wheel wells.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The owner said the brakes are not responding well and getting noisy.

 

[SuitorsGarage]

What manufacture does that?

Subaru

 

[54stude]

Saab 99 and 900 models up to the late 80's you could change the clutch without removing the engine or transmission, and without removing a tire or laying on the ground. Removable input shaft.

 

[like2wheel]

I think this a product of fuel injection vs. carbs. With a carb, you need to get that lump of cold metal that's the intake manifold up to temperature so your gasoline doesn't condense out.

The old 4 cylinder iron block aluminum head Volvo engine had plugs in the head under the first and last intake ports when the engine was fuel injected. When the engine had a carb, these plugs weren't there and coolant flowed through the manifold.

Both engines he mentioned in his post are fuel injected.

 

[padroo]

TOYOTA Prius transmission Fluid change. Remove the drain plug drain the fluid. No filter, put plug back in and put 4 quarts of Toyota transmission Fluid back in.

 

[MikeF2316]

Both engines he mentioned in his post are fuel injected.

I'm not familiar with those engines. But are the injectors on the coolant heated manifolds in the throttle body or right at the intake ports?

 

[toolenthusiast]

I saw an old Buick with a 3100 v6 where the coolant overflow bottle was situated between the right apron and the accessory drive system. That means that you could take out the coolant bottle to get a couple extra inches of wiggle room alongside the alternator, water pump, et cetera.

I'll also second Ford's CD4E transaxles that had the drain plug and drained exactly a gallon.

 

[lsrx101]

80's-90's Volvo 240, and probably other models, had a "service" position on the hood.
Open the hood to it's normal open position, move a lever on each hood hinge and raise the hood to a full 90 degrees. I don't remember exactly how, but it had a way to lock it there.
A co worker pointed out a good few thoughtful features like that on those cars. One other that I remember was the parking pass holder on the left side of the windshield. Nobody else had that at the time.
Wish I could remember the others. Just a bunch of cheap, easy to impliment things that made you think that the designers actually gave a **** about the customers or technicians.

 

[66HertzClone]

80's-90's Volvo 240, and probably other models, had a "service" position on the hood.
Open the hood to it's normal open position, move a lever on each hood hinge and raise the hood to a full 90 degrees. I don't remember exactly how, but it had a way to lock it there.
A co worker pointed out a good few thoughtful features like that on those cars. One other that I remember was the parking pass holder on the left side of the windshield. Nobody else had that at the time.
Wish I could remember the others. Just a bunch of cheap, easy to impliment things that made you think that the designers actually gave a **** about the customers or technicians.

Mercedes has this feature on many of their cars, it is a godsend.

 

[Dave in Mass]

Stealing a little.

My 1968 Mustang. Everything under the hood is easy to reach and uses standard tools.

On the downside, I wish Ford had put some visible jacking points under there which might have stopped the previous owner for putting a floor jack directly on the oil pan (Next project)

 

[Joe Reed]

Datsun B210 disc brake pad replacement. Pop off a springy metal cover off the top of the caliper. Lift out old pads. Drop in new ones. Done.

Discs are pretty much all easy but on that car it took more time to jack one side of the car than it did to change pads

 

[Mike~MIller]

Toyota oil filters.

I've owned at least six or seven Toyotas and changing the oil has been entirely straightforward on all. Even on the Corolla, I don't need to raise the car as long as I use a drain pan that fits underneath the engine.

On my Sienna with the cartridge oil filter, the oil filter comes with a little plastic widget. You remove a plug, pop in the plastic widget, and the oil in the filter drains.

No frame rails or exhausts in the way on any I've encountered. That said, I'm sure someone here has a tale of a Toyota with a real ******* of a filter...


In general, I've found Toyotas to be a lot easier to service than other brands. There are two major reasons for this:

1) Lots of parts commonality. Toyota tends to keep things the same for a long time, and use the same engines, brakes, etc. on many different models for many years, with very few mid-year or plant changes.

2) Higher quality fasteners. It's a small thing, but it makes all the difference after a few years of salt. I just did a bunch of suspension work on my 2002 Corolla with 430,000 miles and had no problems with stuck fasteners. That would be unthinkable on any Ford over two years old.

Toyota tends to leave a bit more room for servicing as well. Honda, for example, packs everything very tightly -- there's always a way to get things done, but you have to know the trick and have some talent at origami.

You haven't Changed a filter on a 92 2weel drive Pickup with the 2.4 then. usually, i would just leave the damn thing in there for a few changes.....