Hello,

May daughter recently acquired her first car, a 2001 Cavalier. It is a very basic car down to the hand crank windows & factory cassette player. Since I am the primary wrench, I have a couple of questions.

82,000 miles, automatic transmission. No known service history except the selling dealer had a new serpentine belt installed.

I want to do a major service on it. I plan on changing the oil & filter, air filter, spark plugs. That's pretty basic. Are there any other items I should address? I would also like to drop the transaxle pan & change the fluid. I would also like to change the coolant.

The car seems pretty basic, just wondering if there are any 'gotchas' to look out for doing a major service? No owner's manual, unfortunately, & I have a Haynes manual on order.

This seems like a good group, thanks!

Colin

 

Jack the car up and see if there is any wobble in the wheel to check the ball joints and tie rods.
Also, brake wear.

Coolant levels and its specific gravity for its condition.