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Just got an '04

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:04 am
by nanofreak
Hey all, I am new here. I just picked up an '04 last week, and I love it. It has 93k miles on it, but it is in great shape and looks new as can be, especially on the outside. It has a decal on the sides, but I will be taking that off. Not sure if it came from the factory that way or it was after market, but it isn't for me.I was curious, a vibe with 93k miles on it, what all should I do right away as far as any possible maintenance? I just got out of an 01 Taurus which was a mechanical nightmare, so I am wanting to baby this thing. Same day I changed the air filter, next day I got an oil change, today I changed the in cabin air filter which was a mess. I doubt the old owner knew it even had one. It even had leaves in it.Also I was thinking of beginning to do maintenance more myself. Like brakes, and spark plugs. Any advice? Any good visual threads for either, especially the spark plugs?I was debating for each of them maybe hiring someone from the automotive thread from craigslist to do it and show me while doing it.David

Re: Just got an '04 (nanofreak)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:10 am
by BlueCrush
Congrats! In addition to what you have listed, I would:~Clean the MAF Sensor~Tranny Fluid Flush~Clean or Replace the PCV ValveI'm sure other's will add more. Good Luck with it.

Re: Just got an '04 (BlueCrush)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:24 am
by nanofreak
I had planned on getting a tranny flush. With my having been a Taurus owner, I am sure you can understand why.

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:31 am
by WaveAction
welcome to the best forums on the net, enjoy the stay, alot of knowledgeable folks around here that can help you out with so many things that you could think of. make sure ya get some pics up soon before the hurd of people here start asking lol

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:33 pm
by sk8r78
Whenever I have purchased used I tend to replace all the fluids and filters, just to start on a clean piece of paper with the maintenance. Plugs are close to the 100 K schedule, so I would change them. If you have ABS it wouldn't be a bad idea to flush and fill the brake fluid. I usually don't trust car salesmen and used car salesmen even less. Its just peace of mind knowing for sure where everthing stands.

Re: Just got an '04 (nanofreak)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:06 pm
by waveresponder
welcome...any questions you have...most likely someone on here will have an answer!

Re: Just got an '04 (waveresponder)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:58 pm
by nanofreak
Fuel filter, does it only have the in tank filter? Does it have one that is easy to replace?

Re: Just got an '04 (nanofreak)

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:16 am
by lovemyraffe
Quote, originally posted by nanofreak »I had planned on getting a tranny flush. With my having been a Taurus owner, I am sure you can understand why.Welcome to the fam! As far as getting your tranny flushed, DON'T. Get it serviced, but paying the extra for a "flush" is pointless. My father-in-law owns a tranny shop, and there really is no reason to flush the tranny under normal circumstances.

Re: Just got an '04 (lovemyraffe)

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:20 am
by NewNeptune
Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »Welcome to the fam! As far as getting your tranny flushed, DON'T. Get it serviced, but paying the extra for a "flush" is pointless. My father-in-law owns a tranny shop, and there really is no reason to flush the tranny under normal circumstances.Without flushing it though you're leaving around half of the transmission fluid in the torque converter.

Re: Just got an '04 (NewNeptune)

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:28 am
by lovemyraffe
Here we go again with the flushing. When most tranny shops say flush, they mean to push new tranny fluid through the tranny. This is supposed to somehow clean it out and make it better. All that it really does is waste tranny fluid. When you have your tranny serviced, it should be completely drained, including the torque converter, and then properly filled. There are some situations that would warrant having a flush performed.