Buying first car

JUSTIN UPDIKE

MEMBER
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY
6 CYL
100,000 MILES

Hi, I am about to buy this vehicle for my first car. It is in decent condition with 100,000 miles and completely new brakes and tires. My step dad (he is very rigid in his beliefs) says that oil has to be changed every 3,000 miles and I have to manually check my oil once a week. I have looked online and found that oil changed are not needed every 3,000 and that the manual for the car should tell me about how often to do it. But do I really have to manually check the oil once a week? I thought cars have oil sensors nowadays. Also do you have any advice on maintenance in general? I want to take good care of it but I do not want to do anything redundant or unnecessary. Also whoever answers could do me a great favor by providing me with their credentials (i.E. If you have worked as a mechanic, have any degrees in the field, etc. My parents will likely question my newfound knowledge).

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Oil Change is 5,000 miles on the Camry w/ 3.3 Liter (the one I looked up) (I change my vehicles change at 2000 miles and 3000 miles)

Provided you are using the correct oil and the vehicle is not under "Severe Usage"

Might near every owner's manual and repair manual (like "Haynes" or "Chilton" and many others) Have a chapter "SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE"

Along with a "Walk Around" before every flight looking for fluids on the ground/ low tires/ is a good idea.

They Say,

Every 250 Miles or Weekly

Check the OIL LEVEL and COOLANT LEVELS

There is much more stuff to check at 500/1000/etc/ etc Mileage intervals

They will last forever if I continue to do my maintenance as suggested (I do overkill!- Not just as suggested)

I obtain any and all info for my Jeeps, sometimes one explains better than another and may have better pics or diagrams

Keep asking, I'll continue to answer!

The Medic