Request for car advice...

**Draggar** · July 2nd, 2002, 12:55 PM

OK, here's the deal:
I have a 1996 Dodge Neon, about 130,000 miles on it.

(IMOHO) it still runs great, and is getting in the high 20's for mileage (25-29MpG)..

Money is tighter than anything you can think of right now, and when my wife's Explorer died, we had to buy a new car, so my credit is also shot now, so I doubt I would be approved for a car loan right now anyway.

Things will be like this for at least another 8 months, and maybe in a year I'll be able to think of a new or used car, I;m thinking of an Subaru Outback Sport.

OK, now the question,
Besides routine maintenance (oil changed within a couple hundered miles of 3000 etc..) what else can I do to help keep my car running without pumping a lot of $$$ into it? I aminly use it now to go to work (about 15-20 miles each way) and to run errands. I can assume over the next year I could put it over 150K miles.

What can I do to keep it running well?

Thank you in advance.

**opiate** · July 2nd, 2002, 01:12 PM

1) Put a K & N filter in it, <a href="http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDetails.asp?SourceArea=&SourcePage=SEARCHRESUL TS&CategoryCode=&QueryID=69783&QueryCounter=2&Begi nRecord=1&EndRecord=25&PreviousPage=VehicleEng ine&LastRecord=25&TopLevelCategoryCode=&TopLevelCa tDesc=&PartType=2&UnitPrice=44%2E99&MfrCode=KNN&Mf rPartNumber=33%2D2087++++++++&ProductDescription=3 3%2D2087+K%26N+AIR+FILTER+++++ ++++++++&ShipmentRestriction=2++&Quantity=1&Weight =2&HandlingCost=0&CoreCharge=0&StoreCount=0&DcCoun t=1&HomeDelCount=0&SoItemFlag=1&ShipRestrictionCod e=2++&SearchFor=&AppliedDiscou nt=0&SpecialType=">link (make sure I picked the right engine before you order).</a> The filter will allow you car to breath better and plus add a few extra horses. You can reuse the filter also, just rinse it out every 3-4 months and it's like brand new.

2) Run synthetic or semi-synthetic motor oil. This will make your engine last longer.

3) Step up the octane in your fuel. I use 91 octane in all my cars. It's worth it!

4) Get some really good fuel additives to add to a full tank of gas.

5) Tire presser, Tire pressure, Tire pressure... This has a much bigger impact on your car then you think. Low tire pressure can mess with your transmission, shocks, brakes. I check mine about once a month.

6) Get some break dust cleaner and spray the outside of your disk breaks.

7) Pull the spark plugs and see if there carbonized (really black). If so , replace with a higher end spark plug brand.

If I were you, I also take it to a lube shop and have them lube the chasse, replace the fuel filter, balance the tires, etc.. This would be the place to start. Most of all, I'd get the K & N filter. I have three cars and that's the only thing I use. They are kind of pricey but sure are worth it.

**Cleetus** · July 2nd, 2002, 01:17 PM

7) Watch out for inanimate objects

8) Watch out for falling cows

**kingtbone** · July 2nd, 2002, 01:21 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Cleetus:
7) Watch out for inanimate objects
<hr /></blockquote>Heh, this one is underrated in my opinion

**+Daemon+** · July 2nd, 2002, 01:22 PM

check your water everytime you fill up, same with oil

take care of the car, wash it every week. Somthing breaks on it fix it.

Check tires, see if you need to rotate them see if the pressure is good. Don get firestone tires

if you go on long road trips be sure to change your oil first and see if you need new breaks or tires.

**Stanley_Kubrick** · July 2nd, 2002, 02:34 PM

Agreed with synthetic oil...

also 3 words: Techron, Techron, Techron (fuel additive). Get a bottle for about 5 bucks and dump it in on your next fill-up...

**mustangjenni** · July 2nd, 2002, 02:54 PM

Just do the one thing a lot of car owners do not, MAINTAIN IT.

And keep the abuse to a minimal

**Lycia** · July 2nd, 2002, 03:16 PM

Oil change every 3000 miles.

A lot of what Opiate said is true..although I tend to disagree witht he K&N filter. I'm not saying it's bad, on the contrary it's probably the best, however changing the air filter in your car when you do regular service is cool. A lot of the stock air filters can be rinsed, dried and reused.

**Fubarian** · July 2nd, 2002, 06:19 PM

only thing I don't agree with is the additives. The octane boosters don't do jack (a whole bottle only adds .1 octane, call them and ask them -- you got to beat it out of them, but they'll eventually admit it), and neither do the fuel system cleaner I've never seen it do any good.

edit

nice thing about a K&N -- its good for 30,000(?) miles before you need to service it. And incase you're wondering, service kit is like 10-15 bucks

**EvilCabbage** · July 2nd, 2002, 06:22 PM

Just dont do what I did.

Snapping your crank is an expensive, and somewhat painful process <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

**Ya_know** · July 2nd, 2002, 07:08 PM

Let me first quell the myth about the use of high octane: <a href="http://www.techweasel.com/articles/octane.htm" target="_blank">What is "Octane"?</a> In short, if the car is timed to use higher octane, use it. If not, you are wasting your money and could be damaging parts of your car through poorly timed detonations. Bottom line, using what the manufacturer suggests is your best solution.

As far as the synthetic oil, I find that the best thing about synthetics is that they last longer, even at higher temps. As to saving an engine with 130k miles which has never used synthetic before, that is not going to happen. If the engine is going to fail, it will fail with synthetic too.

I don’t know why everyone changes oil at 3k. That is a farce, and admittedly made up by the big oil companies to sell more oil. A conventional Pennzoil oil change can last up to 7k in normal conditions. Many synthetics can well exceed 10k, but should have a filter changed if you are going to go to those limits. A 4 cylinder will run hotter, and typically hold less oil than a V8, so yours will break down conventional oils quicker. But realistically, 3K is early in almost all circumstances.

For some practical advice, check belts, hoses, suction lines, and observe all wiring under the hood for deterioration. Replace and reinsulate as needed. ...Cooling and Transmission fluids are always forgotten. Transmission fluid and filter change is crucial with that many miles. Don't waste money on brake fluid flushes; it is useless, unless water or dirt got into the system. And get new windshield wipers. Those Neon’s slide like a snow-sled when you have to stop too soon; if you can’t see in a rain storm you will be replacing that car much sooner than you planned.

PS If you really want some good advise, trying forums with mostly Dodge (or any make) mechanics might be a better source. No offence to anyone here, but there you should find years of real experience and know how. I am sure there are several Neon clubs out there as well, with a mechanic base that can relate to your concerns.

**ilovetheusers** · July 2nd, 2002, 08:27 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ya_know:
Let me first quell the myth about the use of high octane: <a href="http://www.techweasel.com/articles/octane.htm" target="_blank">What is "Octane"?</a> In short, if the car is timed to use higher octane, use it. If not, you are wasting your money and could be damaging parts of your car through poorly timed detonations. Bottom line, using what the manufacturer suggests is your best solution.

As far as the synthetic oil, I find that the best thing about synthetics is that they last longer, even at higher temps. As to saving an engine with 130k miles which has never used synthetic before, that is not going to happen. If the engine is going to fail, it will fail with synthetic too.

I don’t know why everyone changes oil at 3k. That is a farce, and admittedly made up by the big oil companies to sell more oil. A conventional Pennzoil oil change can last up to 7k in normal conditions. Many synthetics can well exceed 10k, but should have a filter changed if you are going to go to those limits. A 4 cylinder will run hotter, and typically hold less oil than a V8, so yours will break down conventional oils quicker. But realistically, 3K is early in almost all circumstances.

For some practical advice, check belts, hoses, suction lines, and observe all wiring under the hood for deterioration. Replace and reinsulate as needed. ...Cooling and Transmission fluids are always forgotten. Transmission fluid and filter change is crucial with that many miles. Don't waste money on brake fluid flushes; it is useless, unless water or dirt got into the system. And get new windshield wipers. Those Neon’s slide like a snow-sled when you have to stop too soon; if you can’t see in a rain storm you will be replacing that car much sooner than you planned.

PS If you really want some good advise, trying forums with mostly Dodge (or any make) mechanics might be a better source. No offence to anyone here, but there you should find years of real experience and know how. I am sure there are several Neon clubs out there as well, with a mechanic base that can relate to your concerns.<hr /></blockquote>Not that I'm joe car guy, but I agree with ya_know with the addition of this:

In order to maintain your car you needed to start 130,000 miles ago. If/when you buy a new car - don't abuse it, get regular maintenance.

**Ya_know** · July 3rd, 2002, 06:59 AM

A link about synthetics:

<a href="http://www.amsoil.com/amsoilfacts.htm" target="_blank">AMSOIL extended drain intervals</a>

I had some from Mobil, but they didn't work after I posted them. You can go here and poke around the FAQ under Why Synthetics:

<a href="http://www.mobil1.com/index.jsp" target="_blank">Why Synthetics, look under FAQ.</a>

**Cleetus** · July 3rd, 2002, 07:01 AM

One other thing, if there is a huge tropical storm right off the coast and it has been raining like a SOB all day, DON'T go out that night until 1-2 in the morning. Esp. if you live off of a street that floods. I know from experience, a Mustang is not meant to be through floods or get stranded. I have maintained that car well, but haven't trusted it fully since.

**kato** · July 3rd, 2002, 07:17 AM

Ya_Know's earlier post is right on the money!!! no need to repost is via quote.

the high octane myth always irritated me. Putting higher octane than the manufacture suggests just sucks money from your wallet and can cause more harm than good.

I was just reading an article yesterday dispelling the 3000 mile oil change myth. Change every 6000 miles and save some serious dough (if you don't change it yourself) without any detriment to your vehicle.

I don't remember if anyone mentioned it, but check your plugs and wires out and make sure all is kosher. It doesn't cost too much to fix if there are problems there. And if something like an cracked wire goes unchecked for too long, it can cause all sorts of troubles. I had one bad wire cost me a distributor cap, and oxygen sensor not to mention the new set of plugs and wires. All in all over $300 in parts and labor. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> If I would've had the plugs and wires checked, it would've cost around $70 to change them.

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