Just bought a 2004 vibe and have some questions about maintenance

[chevyman95]

So I just bought a 2004 Vibe base from a friend for a super low price. He bought it at 26k miles and other than oil changes every 5k miles and a new air filter and spark plugs at 125k miles I know for a fact it has had no maintenance done to it. More than likely still on the original coolant and transmission fluid. It has 150k miles on it now. What maintenance should I have done? Also I have heard that once transmission fluid gets that old to just leave it as it might do harm to change it?

[sideshowalan]

re: Transmission FluidIt only hurts to 'power flush'. A simple drain and fill at this point is definitely in order. Maybe do it at the next 2 oil changes.There was someone else on here last week who's transmission died at ~200K miles due to never changing it. You already know but coolant is overdue as well.Check the brake fluid to make sure it's not a dark opaque color. If it is you'll need to replace it/bleed the brakes.Other small things are to replace the PCV valve, cabin air filter, and clean the MAF sensor.

[Water boy]

Quote, originally posted by sideshowalan »re: Transmission FluidIt only hurts to 'power flush'. A simple drain and fill at this point is definitely in order. Maybe do it at the next 2 oil changes.A power flush (AKA reverse impulse flush) is only recommended when your transmission does an internal explosion. The "flush" cleans out all of the lines of debris.

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! Sounds like you got yourself a nice Vibe there ! Post some pictures of it when you get a chance.

[ramenboy...]

hey welcome to the family. o4 is a great vintage, if i do say so myself...as everyone's said, check all fluids, and definitely be adamant about a drain and fill, as opposed to flush.and like carrie said, post pics of that vibe!

[CharlesinGA]

I would seriously look at installing the new oil dipstick if it does not have it.

This thread viewtopic.php?f=12&t=37406 will help you determine what dipstick you have now, and why you should install the new one.

The auto trans has a drain plug, and it is so easy to change the fluid, I cannot help but recommend that you get some drain plug seals for the transmission along with the engine oil plug, and during every or every other oil change, dump the trans fluid and refill it too. It takes three quarts and will go a long ways to keeping the transmission in good health. There is no filter in the transmission, just a screen, so no need to bother with it. I use Amsoil Synthetic ATF fluid.

I'm a big believer in synthetic oil and longer oil change intervals. I run mine a conservative 10,000 mi between oil changes, using Amsoil 5W-30 and change the filter both at the oil change and half way in between at 5,000mi.

Do not forget the cabin air filter. Remove the screw on the RH side of the glove box door and allow it to drop down somewhat and you will see the snap door on the heater box for the cabin air filter. They are about $6 at an auto part place and if yours has not been touched in a while, it will be nasty.

Charles