As I've read through various threads here about checking transmission fluid, differential fluid, brake fluid, etc. etc., what's the likelihood that these things have been regularly checked on a '95 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo? I didn't get any service records with it.

I know it just had an oil change before I bought it, but are other fluid levels usually checked during regular oil changes? Is it considered beyond "routine" to have this stuff checked out? Is it expensive to do?

Just wondering if I should ASK for all fluids to be checked when I take it in for the recall work. What's that expression? "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure"?

Thanks for your input!

What extent are you thinking to when you say ROUTINE maintenance?

Routine maintenance is what ever you discover is necessary to keep the unit on the road.

There are checks and work associated with routine oil changes and also routine maintenance that is beneficial on an annual and bi-annual basis.

Usually there is a list of checks that are done when you take a vehicle in for an oil change so the shop that did the oil change probably did the checks at that time. For your own peace of mind though, it wouldn’t hurt the have them checked again. With a used vehicle, the chances are way up in the air as to how maintenance was carried out.

Some people follow the periodic service recommendations listed in the owners manual as well. Many shops use these lists to generate repair work by bringing problems to your attention so they include them in the price of the oil change, just charging for the materials consumed.

I do my own maintenance and repairs and my preference is to change the oil and filter every 3000 miles and check all the fluid levels at that time. – Antifreeze, power steering, ATF, transfer case, and both differentials.
My battery is not a maintenance free unit so I also check the cells for fluid level as well as the state of charge.

I don’t, however, remove the brake fluid reservoir cover as you can see the level through the plastic container. (brake fluid absorbs moisture out of the air and is degraded by it.)

A visual inspection for loose or worn parts is also done at this time. CV joint boot inspection on the front axle is a priority.

Grease the ball joints and all the tie rod ends on the steering linkage. (2 pumps with my grease gun is enough.)

I usually inspect the air filter only twice a year – spring and fall.

Go over all the interior and exterior lites and replace any bulbs that are burnt out.

The annual and bi-annual maintenance is broken down as follows

Annual – transfer case fluid (it takes less than 1.5 quarts), and I use a synthetic. Transmission ATF change if I have pulled a trailer , the rear diff oil as well (I use synthetic in both diffs), and for the cost of doing it my self – I change the spark plugs and PCV valve.

Bi-annual – All of the oils are changed and the transmission is flushed after the filter is changed and the transmission bands are adjusted any time the pan is off.

The brake fluid is changed by drawing it out of the reservoir when ever the brakes are done and new fluid is flushed through the system by bleeding the brakes at the end of the job.

There are probably other checks and maintenance to do as well. Every one has slightly different preferences as to how to maintain a vehicle and what fluids they use.

JD

Thanks, JD! Since I don't have any service records with the Jeep, I'll at least get the fluid levels checked when I have it in the shop for the recalls.

Adding to JD's list:

I also replace the wires with each spark plug change out. It's a preference with people but they're not that expensive. The plugs, if u do yourself, are easy to get out, except for the 1st one starting from the front. A long length spark plug socket that pivots at the head (don't know the tech name for it) gets it easily enough.

I change out the distributor cap, coil, rotor button at each 30K.

I change out the fuel filter at 60K.

Flush coolant once a year.

Clean throttle body when I change out CCV. My '95 GC has a CCV as opposed to a PCV. Yours should be the same.

The dealer service recommendations usually mimick what's in the Jeep shop book that you can order, but they also add additional stuff, or recommend doing certain book recommended items sooner that the book shows. Nothing wrong in that, but it adds cost sooner than maybe necessary. If u don't mind doing some maintance items get the Jeep shop book and/or Chiltons. Sometimes it helps to have both since one may show a picture or comment on a step that the other may not.

I picked up 2 used volvos this past year. Reading thru threads I fould a lot of support for flushing transmission often. Not as often as an oil change, but say every 10K. Mostly depends on each persons driving habits. Drop the pan, change/clean filter, adjustments done on the normal routine, but just flushing more often b/w dropping the pan intervals.
The reasoning is that Volvo officially maintains fluid is good for 100K. volvos run great, but hot. like most vehicles the transmission and engine is cooled by one source. The tranny fluid breaks down far more rapidly because of this, so one would need to change it out more often to keep good fluid in there. Majority of transmission failures, other than tranny defect, is overheating. Read volvo threads (http://au.geocities.com/ozbrick850/atfflushmethod.html). There's a link in one of them that goes into good detail about tranny fluid breakdown.
I feel the same logic holds for many cars. My GC has a towing package which includes a tranny cooler. I feel this is why my transmission still runs great at 180K. I'll be adding tranny coolers to both volvos soon to ensure a peace of mind against premature tranny failures. U may or may not want to add this to your GC sometime. Certainly this is one item that the better experts here on site could offer you thoughts on if u think about pursuing sometime.

One thing I forgot is that the transmission bands should be adjusted when the fluid is changed.

This requires an inch/lb torque wrench to do and is a fairly precise adjustment.

All the JGC's have a front and a rear band. the front is accessable from the outside but the rear adjustment requires the pan be removed.

JD

JD i don't think your vehicles will ever wear out with that kind of maintenance

I certianly hope not!!!!! there is enough other things to go wrong without it wearing out first. :iceslolan :iceslolan