10000 kM Service Advise

[IrishPhoenix]

My car has now clocked up 10000 km since August and I'm wondering what necessary checks and what type of service to do. I'd like to try doing the oil changes etc myself and was wondering as a 'first-timer' how easy/complicated it is or if anyone has any suggestions?

If I was to bring it to a garage it would probably cost a lot more if that's an option does anyone recommend someone who wont rip me off?

[kevinod]

I guess oil change is the main one... easy out, just have to try not to get oil everywhere when you're draining it out! Run the car for a few minutes to warm up the oil (so it'll flow out easy). Then put a bucket or whatever under the sump plug, and open it. Just let it drain out.

Some guys will tell you you need to replace your sump plug but I've used the same one in 2 oil changes with no problems.

Change the oil filter while you're doing it of course. I think its the same as the Colt or Galant so easy to find. Last time I went to get one the autofactors place had the FTO in their list.

Drain the oil (leave it for a while to drain out), and remove the oil filter and fit a new one (put a small bit of oil on the rubber ring of the filter to ensure a good seal). Once you have the filter back on and the sump plug back in (or new one in) then you can just fill her up! The 2L engine takes about 4L of oil IIRC.

Its as bad to put too much oil as too little though so be sure to check the dipstick to check your levels.

Wrt which oil to use, probably 10W40 (semi synthetic) or 5W40 (fully synthetic), Shell Helix is a popular brand to use but once you have a good quality oil it should be fine.

That should roughly cover it, see http://www.ftodiy.co.uk/ for another guide on oil changes.

I don't remember whether yours is manual or auto? If auto do an oil change on the gearbox too.

Beyond that, check your pads and disks for wear.

[IrishPhoenix]

Yep, mines an auto. The old man has a gadget for removing the oil filter. Thanks for your advise. Will do it in over the weekend i hope

[IrishPhoenix]

Completed the oil change on friday and it was very succesful. Didnt mess up the driveway and followed your good advise. Even tied the rambo knot of kitchen roll around my wrist to stop any oil running down my arm. So now i want to know how often should the tip oil be changed, is it a hard job and where are there guides on how to do it. My ould lad's confidence in me wasnt great and he told me to keep away from automatic oil changes, but is it really that difficult?

Anyone done it before and have their experiences noted?

[CJ]

My ould lad's confidence in me wasnt great and he told me to keep away from automatic oil changes, but is it really that difficult?

Anyone done it before and have their experiences noted?

Tell your aul lad he should have more confidence in his son!

Its pretty straighforward changing the Tip oil, it can get messy though as you have to disconnect the ATF cooler pipes to undertake a full change and oil tends to p!ss out all over the shop, if you have a couple of buckets handy, you should be OK though.

See here

http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/phpBB2 ... php?t=2256

and here

http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=48190