General Upkeep

[ares89]

OK, first paycheck of the year, and i feel like totally blowing it on random stuff for Allie. 2.4 (obviously due to here in this specific forum) she has nothing done to her other than cosmetic random crap that does jack other than sit there and be useless because technically the blue LEDs in the headlights cant legally be on (they stay on 24/7) and the underbody LEDs are only working on 3 sides (ugh)

Basically.. im assuming i'll have around $200 to play with(should have been more, but the damn 'thank you for working in X town' tax comes out). Allie is getting an oil change (the light has been on for a long time, will not specify because i dont want crucified), and i want to get the damn squeaking fixed, which everyone thinks is the serpantine belt. Gonna have all this done at a local Midas, but the real reason for this post: what else can i do to upkeep and make her a bit more ballsy (yes i know ive been calling it a she and just used the word ballsy, its been a long day give me a break -_-)

Ideas were spark plugs, air filter, dunno what else i should think of

Remember when suggesting, the car is not 100% mine, my dad and mum still have an insanely short leash on me and this car(ugh)

Edit Number 34: I have no clue what all the past owner(s) have done so it may all be original from factory fun stuff

[AleroB888]

2 1/2 inch Magnaflow muffler...
More uh, gutsy, and you may not notice the squeek anymore!

[ares89]

muffler... sounds like an option...

how much does a good one but not a "Oh my god three paychecks are gone!" one cost?

[jackal2000]

www.performancepeddler.com

[doubleN0alero]

Okay, if you're talking about general maint, what kind of miles do you have on it? You may want to look into your coolant and tranny fluid. Also want to look at a fuel filter and maybe your spark plugs if you're miles permit. Check out the owners manual under the maint section and assume the worst. Assume that the person before you didn't do a lick of maint on the car. It might not be true, but its better to be safe than sorry.

[ares89]

shes sitting at 53800.. the guys at autozone told me not to worry about spark plugs or wires, the car doesnt need then and they dont do much.. which i assumed..

and just curious... how accurate is the change oil light and how long can you go without changing the oil once it comes on?

[Trickyslick]

Till the car dies then you need to change the motor..Ha Ha

Seriously I dont know most die hards will say every 3,000 and the light seems to work around there...

[misslindseysue]

Once the light comes on you should change the oil. That's why it says "CHANGE OIL" not "THINK ABOUT CHANGING THE OIL IN A FEW MONTHS."

But.. for $200: belt: $25 (Gatorback on sale), labor: $75, oil change: $20, speeding ticket fund: $80.

[ares89]

well this thread is moot... Allie decided for herself what i'll spend my cash on.... got to Midas, got the oil changed.. and the guy comes out and is like "We want you to see this.." i'm like.. shit... apparently the pot holes of good old pennsylvania have killed my 'Front Left Out Tie Rod'.. and they wanted just shy of $200 to do it all..

Options:
1. Fess up and pay Midas to do it
2. Pay for the rod and have neighbor do it and pay for a case of beer as payment
3. Hope the insurance money from *BOOM* can buy me a mustang

[TheEdgeofSanity]

that sucks. really, the manual says to have the trans fluid changed every 50,000 miles so look into that because I wish the previous owner of mine had had it done because now at 100K, my trans has bad days. Hmm......get a second opinion on the tie rods...that sounds odd that they're already shot. i think you would have noticed odd steering if they were that bad. Mine are original at 100K and michigan is known for some of the worst roads in the country.

also, i wouldn't trust midas to check my tire pressure. IMO, they're a rip off

[ares89]

Originally Posted by TheEdgeofSanity

i think you would have noticed odd steering if they were that bad. Mine are original at 100K and michigan is known for some of the worst roads in the country.

i do notice things.. but my parents think im trying to find things wrong with the car.. because i am.. because i really dont feel like having wheels pop off while on highways..

[TheEdgeofSanity]

yeah, that would be bad for a tie rod to break while ur driving. all I am saying is to get a second opinon and to price it around. I can't understand why your steering would be so jacked at only 50K. was the car used to tow anything? are you hard on it?

also, i understand the whole thing about your parents thinking that you are making things up. my parents think my car is great and it always runs fine when they're with me. well, good luck and just follow your maintence schedule section of your manual for the best info on what to do for upkeep.

[doubleN0alero]

Just go ahead and have it done...no use messing around with it. You wanted something to spend the cash on and now you got it. You should change your tranny fluid and coolant next trip around though. those should be done around 60. Some suggest every 30K having it done.

[ares89]

.. sonova bitch.. imagine that... my phone is screwed up now too... when it rains.. it pours -_-

[doubleN0alero]

it always does man...its just the way things happen.

[ares89]

Issues Resolved $199.99 later and she drives like a dream