So it seems that modern car manufacturers are more inclined to label something as life-time to give the appeal of lower maintenance and therefore stress-free ownership, but how do you if something is actually life-time or a marketing ploy destined for disaster?
Looking at the official repair manual for my car it states that the timing belt on petrol cars doesn't need to be replaced and that it should be checked first after 90000 km (60000 miles) and then every 30000 km (19000 miles) after that, as far as I can tell the car is still running on the original timing belt and it has developed very small cracks (although hard to see) on the back but otherwise everything seems pretty good and no leaking water pump. I suspect it would be wise to schedule a timing belt replacement in the near future mostly due to age, but how often do these belts actually fail and in what manner? Are the belts known to snap or tensioners fail?
Fuel filter is also original and has never been changed although there doesn't seem to be any issues with clogging or what not and the car runs fine so I suspect I don't need to touch it? Also Sweden doesn't have issues with bad fuel or dirty fuel.
The car has a manual transmission and the repair manual states permanent but again I'm wondering if it's wise to change with new fluid or leave it there? The car runs fine and shifts very smoothly with no engagement issues.
Car: Seat ibiza 6L 2004
Engine: 1,4 litre petrol code "BBY"
Transmission: Manual 5-gear code "GRZ"
Mileage as of writing: 65 000 miles (105 000 km)
Looking at the official repair manual for my car it states that the timing belt on petrol cars doesn't need to be replaced and that it should be checked first after 90000 km (60000 miles) and then every 30000 km (19000 miles) after that, as far as I can tell the car is still running on the original timing belt and it has developed very small cracks (although hard to see) on the back but otherwise everything seems pretty good and no leaking water pump. I suspect it would be wise to schedule a timing belt replacement in the near future mostly due to age, but how often do these belts actually fail and in what manner? Are the belts known to snap or tensioners fail?
Fuel filter is also original and has never been changed although there doesn't seem to be any issues with clogging or what not and the car runs fine so I suspect I don't need to touch it? Also Sweden doesn't have issues with bad fuel or dirty fuel.
The car has a manual transmission and the repair manual states permanent but again I'm wondering if it's wise to change with new fluid or leave it there? The car runs fine and shifts very smoothly with no engagement issues.
Car: Seat ibiza 6L 2004
Engine: 1,4 litre petrol code "BBY"
Transmission: Manual 5-gear code "GRZ"
Mileage as of writing: 65 000 miles (105 000 km)