jsoto

I forgot to open the yellow cap (vent line) and almost overflowed the pan. The Black oil pan does just fine as long as the yellow and center are open. ;)

steve - I would take it to Modena Autowerks off of W. Bellfort. They do great work.

The local dealer is charging $250 just to do the inspections for the 30k check-up. I have already done the oil change, filter change, and pollen change-out. Do you think this is reasonable?

No.

Loren - what is your suggestion regarding the 30k check-up? Most of the Ind. dealers will not do the check-ups only. I just want someone else to look over the car besides myself. (I live in Houston).

The local dealer is charging $250 just to do the inspections for the 30k check-up. I have already done the oil change, filter change, and pollen change-out. Do you think this is reasonable?

My 03 does not use any oil between oil changes (maybe a little, but not noticeable on the stick). I usually change oil between the 7-10k range. The Mobil One certainly does not break down in that range and could probably last a lot longer (oil gets dirty, but does not wear out in between oil changes).

Changing every 3k is a waste of money & an environmental issue (as said before).

Everyone - thanks for your info.

I usually fill up at either a Shell or Chevron station. I seem to get the best mileage from the Chevron gas.

I was in a hurry a couple of weeks ago and filled up at a cheap place. I got about 50 miles less per tank than my average. I think it does make a difference where you buy your gas.

What brand of gasoline do you use? Does anyone use the so-called "No-name" brand at the local corner convenient store? I would like to know why you use your particular type of gas. I am not referring to Super unleaded and such, but the type of filling station you buy your gas from.

I would appreciate your response.

Very nice - welcome to the club

Can you take a pic for us?

Loren - Here is the picture (look at far right on the warning lights)

Thanks Neptune - I will give them a try. I need to get my 30k mile check-up fairly soon.

I was replacing my air filter this past weekend and decided to clean the TB since I was already there. There was a little build-up on the outer edges, but nothing significant. I cleaned thoroughly and put back together. Immediately, my car started much better and I did not have any hesitation while accelerating. What a difference this little job made. I will probably make this a periodic maintenance check.

CA - thanks for this tip for removing the MAF connector. I was able to push-in the connector towards the air box and heard a click. It came right out.

Does anyone know of a good Houston repair shop other than the P-Dealers?

Anybody taken their car to Euro-Werk?

Light sensor for instrument cluster

The other (Cruise) light is to the right of the "Q" light. It looks just like the one in the speedometer cluster, but I have never seen it lit up during the start of the car. I don't see it in my manual, but it is there.

Loren - I see that light in the speedometer cluster when I turn on the cruise control, but the warning light I am referring to is to the right of the Rollover protection system warning light. I can see it's the silhouette (sp) in the dash.

On my MY03 I can see the Cruise control warning light in the far right side of the warning light bank.

When I turn on the key this light does not light up. Does anyone have this light and does it do anything?

I have 10k on my Contis. I expect another 10k from the rears.

That is barely enough miles to get your car warmed up. Short trips like yours will dramatically influence mpg. Have you ever taken longer trips to see if it is just your short commute each day.

I travel on a freeway everyday and get between 25-28mpg, but it is all highway travel. In the city, it reduces down below 20. I don't think any car would have good gas mileage on a 6 mile commute. I just think your circumstances dictate the mileage.

Sounds like the old man won't have a car in a few years. The symptoms will catch up to this car. Smoking is a sign of bad things.

I agree Lee. Changing out the belt, filters, oil change, spark plugs, etc can be performed by the average joe with the proper tools. When my time comes for the 60k (or in my case the 30k) I will have an Indie do the inspections just to get another set of eyes on the car and it anything else is wrong they should be able to spot it. It shouldn't be that much for the inspections.

I replaced my factory Michelins with the Conti's. (rears lasted 17k) I have about 10k on them now and they seem to be pretty good. The traction is adequate, noise level is good, and I think the tread will last as long as the Mich's. Time will tell though.

I think there are quieter tires on the market than both of these. I just have experience with these two.

My wife and I took our MY03 Coupe for a weekend trip. We traveled from Houston to Austin for a getaway and this was the first time the car was not garaged.

As we were leaving this morning I unlocked the car and opened the passenger door. Immediately, the window lowered automatically. I thought that was very odd. The only thing that was different in Austin was the climate. It was very cold outside (about 25 degrees) and I thought something was stuck like the window switch.

As we left, I raised the window with the switch and took off. About an hour down the road (temperature increases to 45) we stopped and got out. The window did not lower on its own.

Does anyone have an idea of what happened? Seems weird that everything is OK now. Is it the switch?

oggie - I used the plastic pump as well and it worked great. I would recommend this method. I only had about 1ft. of plastic tubing and wish it were 2-3 feet especially for the transmission. I had to hold the bottle when I bled the brakes. It was not convenient. I used about 1.25 liters of fluid for my car. I used the Blue fluid and it was easy to see the new fluid coming out.

If seemed that it took awhile for the clean fluid to come out the RR tire (expected), but it also took some time for the right front to clear up. (that seemed odd). My car has 25k miles on it (MY03) and the brakes had never been bled. Previous owner did not do it (I purchased car about 6 months ago). The fluid was dirty, but not as dirty as expected (it was time though).

All in all, the job did not take long to do. While the tires were off, I cleaned them and waxed them.

Great instructions Loren.

What was your real problem at 125k?