O/D is for when you're at speed and need an extra burst, like when you're passing. Or it hit that gap in front of the truck when you're trying to merge onto the freeway.
Follow the recommended service intervals. 160k miles, I would see when the last time the timing belt was changed. If more than 50k, I would get it changed.
Check the transmission fluid: check the color, you want a red color, not brown. Smell it, if it smells burnt, change it. Same if the color is brown. It would be best if you can get it flushed.
Check the oil. Feel it with your fingers. Any grit, change it. ONLY use 20-50 in that engine.
Pop the radiator cap and look at the coolant. You want it to look clean and not rusty. Look inside and under the coolant at the cooling tubes. If you see any blockage, flush the cooling system, but be sure to properly dispose of the coolant: Autozone and others will accept old coolant. Dumping it on the street in most states is a huge fine.
Do a walk around inspection. Check the tires for any irregularities in the tread and sidewalls. Feel the tread with the palm of your hand. You shouldn't feel any irregularities or pronounced bumps. These are usually signs of worn shocks or struts. Eyeball the shocks/struts. Check then wetness and crusted dirt/gunk near the join between the body and piston.
If you can, rent or borrow a compression gauge (Autozone or the like again) and check the compression across the 4 cylinders. You want them to all be over 100 PSI and not have a variance of more than 15 PSI, highest to lowest.
Pick up a bottle of quality fuel system cleaner and dump it in a half- to 3/4 full tank and drive. Don't refill the tank until it's at about 1/8 of a tank. I prefer Chevron Techron, but I'm biased by having been raised by Chevron.
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Wednesday, August 26th, 2015 AT 3:39 PM
