What to do?

[xruiz]

Ok guys I need your help with another one of my dumb questions. I bought my car used with 9,400 miles on the odometer and now it has 15,200 on it. A new oil change is coming up quickly. Other than that, is there anything you guys would recommend that I do? -Thanks for you help in advance

 

[xruiz]

Come on guys i'm sure somebody on here can help me out

 

[98MACH1R]

are you looking for performance or just regular maintainace? what year? auto/5speed? engine size?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

 

[Ronald Jones]

are you looking for performance or just regular maintainace? what year? auto/5speed? engine size?

2003=year; Auto=trans; 4.6 tech forum=engine size. As far as maintenance goes for a late model Mustang, the most frequent job is changing the oil and filter. Check with your Ford dealer for a scheduled maintenance book and use that as a general guide or purchase a Haynes manual.

 

[SilverHorse]

I don't see harm in changing the fuel filter at this point. It probably doesn't need it though.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

There is not much to do other than inspection of components and oil change. The Haynes manual has maintenance items listed by mileage and a whole lot more...

 

[Torinalth]

oil every 5-7k, fuel filter at 45k, trans at 60, radiator at 80k. going to do the belts and hoses at 100k.... which will be like 3 months...

through this time, depending on miles and climate you might need to get new shocks/struts at 50-70k, and posibly bushings for the control arms at 70-100.

might wanna do plugs at 70-100.,.. thats really about all so far.

Torinalth

 

[CRZYHRSGT]

I don't see harm in changing the fuel filter at this point. It probably doesn't need it though.

I agree. Some manufacturers have the first scheduled fuel filter change done early. They feel that the factory filter will collect debris in it from the assembly line (small particles in the fuel tank before final assembly). It's cheap and easy, just be sure you get the $5 fuel line disconnect tool from Auto Zone!

 

[lover]

If you are going to do the oil change, go with a full synthetic or the Royal Purple. And also add some of that Wetter stuff to your coolant. And remove your air silencer and drop in a K&N filter, if you haven't already. There. You have a better running car and you just freed up a couple of horses.

 

[AmBo]

Wait, I dont have to change my oil every 3k miles? I was under the impression I have to change my oil every 3k! I have 23k on the odo and am due for an oil change (says Lube Express)

 

[97gtblue]

wowwwwwwwww

 

[Gearbanger 101]

im running mobil 1 fully senthectic, the 15,000 mile oil, so im not changing my oil but about every 10,000 miles, is that bad on the oil filter wiating 10,000 miles?

I'd at least change the filter a couple of times during that interval if I were you. Just because the oil is good for 15,000k, doen't mean that the filter got any better.

 

[AmBo]

So should I be changing my oil every 3k or every 5k?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I change mine about every 6,000-8,000km, but that's just me. If you're going to run "extended life" oil, then run it as long as recommended, but continue to change the filter every 5,000km or so.

 

[lover]

Yeah, that every 3k mile thing is old. They make much better oil now, so you could go longer between oil changes. But some people live by that 3k. I'll go about 5k when using synthetic blend. A little longer when using full synthetic.

 

[Torinalth]

Bob (the oil guy) has shown many times by oil analysis that the 3k mandate is more for oil company wallets then car benafit. i do it every 5-8k and never have a second thought. i run mobil 1 5w30 synthetic with a mobil 1 filter. never had issues.

also the extended life oil is currently no better. Brian is correct in that the filter is the soft spot in that equasion. oil can go for a good while, but the filters that we currently have can not do much more then 10k. HOWEVER mobile 1 is producing extende life filters to go with its oil in the "extended life" montage and from what i have read does actually last a good deal longer. i'd stick with cheaper oils till the filters come out personally.

Torinalth

 

[xruiz]

Where can I buy this Haynes manual that you guys mentioned in some of the earlier posts?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Pep Boys or pretty much any major auto parts store should carry one. There's also Chilton's to consider.

 

[twogts4us]

I agree. Some manufacturers have the first scheduled fuel filter change done early. They feel that the factory filter will collect debris in it from the assembly line (small particles in the fuel tank before final assembly). It's cheap and easy, just be sure you get the $5 fuel line disconnect tool from Auto Zone!

Agreed - and this is an easy to chg filter (IF you get the right disconnect tool - they cheap, plastic one worked best for me). I did mine at 27K miles, and, OH MY GOD, it's hard to believe it ran with the amount of ****it in there. Blowing thru the old one was like trying to blow thru a coffee stir, whereas the new one was like blowing thru a garden hose - HUGE difference. For the 411, ck out www.bullittarchive.com, Articles, Mustang maintenance. Great site.