juju, before my mustang, i was always into cars, but more like, i knew cars, not i knew how to build cars or fix things.

i still don't, and i'm still completely new at it with my stang, but the book definitely helps. my dad always bought haynes manuals for every car we've ever had, and he always used them whenever he was doing anything on the car, and he's extremely good at fixing things on cars. so i trust the book will be able to help if you ever have to do any repairs.

 

juju, before my mustang, i was always into cars, but more like, i knew cars, not i knew how to build cars or fix things.



i still don't, and i'm still completely new at it with my stang, but the book definitely helps. my dad always bought haynes manuals for every car we've ever had, and he always used them whenever he was doing anything on the car, and he's extremely good at fixing things on cars. so i trust the book will be able to help if you ever have to do any repairs.

I 2nd for the haynes book. I have it for my 05 it's a great for learning about the car and seeing what I can do myself.


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How many miles are on her now?

 

42.5k currently, and I got her a week and a half ago with 41.9k.

 

FIRST thing I would do is switch her to Royal Purple oil. Use only Ford oil filters as they are rated for the higher oil pressure our engines have. Change it every 5-6k. That stuff is the real deal and worth every penny, my friend.

Other than that, as a general rule keep your fluids and filters clean and use quality stuff and she will treat you right for a very long time.

Welcome to the club!!! :thumb:

 

This may be controversial but you don't need to change your oil every 5-6k.
Go get your oil tested by Blackstone labs. Generally stock semi synthetic oil will be fine 8k+ but probably wouldn't go any longer than that depending on the wear of your engine.
But upgrading to a better oil will help too such as a full synthetic such as royal purple /amsoil. The better the oil generally the less you'll have to change it. But get the current oil in it tested. Run some new oil for around 5-8k then get that tested. They break down everything in the oil from how the engine is running, if anything is prematurely aging, oil life, to even if you ran the car long enough before extracting the oil.
Other than that you might consider getting fresh spark plugs in there and keeping fluids topped off.

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Go to your Ford Dealer and purchase the extended warranty if your going to be keeping the car for a long time.
Do"NOT" tune the car,
Find a good shop that can be trusted ( I personally just go to my dealer) to have the maintenance done and have the same guy do it every time ( If he is busy -I wait for him)
Motorcraft oil is fine ( Semi or full synthetic ) I use "FULL " synthetic and change it at about 7,500 miles.( Oil still looks clean at 7,500 miles) Motorcraft filters are some of the best made.
I have a 2012 3.7 V6 automatic that I love and plan to keep for at least 20 years or more so I know where your coming from.
I get the tires rotated front to back (SAME SIDE) at every oil change.

We do want to see a picture of your new baby
Ronnie

 

THANK YOU for all the replies!! So what I've gathered from web/forum search and y'all's replies is this:

Maintenance wise, I should oil change every 8k miles, use Royal Purple oil and Motorcraft filters. I should shake out my air filter when I do this, which will only be like twice a year or less. I should change the rear, radiator, and transmission fluids when I hit around 60k miles or so. Should I also change all the filters every 60k miles? I should regularly keep fluids topped off and checked. My question is - what are these fluids? How often should I check? Additionally, is there a specific place underneath my vehicle that is best to use to raise it up when I do things like change the oil?

What stuff should I do myself vs having someone else do? My dad is a mechanic and I want to learn how to do some basic stuff with this car, but I also got the Master Tech Vehicle Protection Program when I got my Mustang, for the next 4 years. It covers absolutely everything except brake pads, clutch, and various trimming and cosmetic things. So since I have this protection, should I even do any work on my own at all?? Even though I'd like to learn how and get to know my car better.

I should replace the coolant overflow hose (a degas hose?) when I can, as well as replace my rear axle vent (whatever that is) because there is an updated and better version of both of these. Would anyone rate these changes as "beginner friendly"?

I have found that I want to swap out of the stock shift bushing, though I worry if this will affect any of my insurance. On American Muscle, an article says, "The latest gen, the S550, features a changed shifter bushing and bracket for a firmer, more accurate shift over the 2014 model. Furthermore, the skip-shift feature (a feature that forced a 1-4 shift at low speed versus a traditional 1-2 shift) was eliminated in 2013, and should remain this way for the S550." Can someone explain what the skip-shift thing is all about? I don't quite get it.

But I definitely want to replace the shifter bushing and bracket, because sometimes I find it really difficult to get into first or second gear and I am sometimes locked out of first and it panics me as a new manual driver.

We do want to see a picture of your new baby

I attached my favorite one! Within a few days after I got her, and the lighting was perfect to show what I love about the Kona Blue - it has a sort of color changing aspect to it! Kona Blue can be a bright metallic blue, or in other lighting a deep blue or even purple!

haynes just came out with their repair manual for the mustangs up to 2014 finally...so i suggest getting that so you can learn about the car yourself if/when you need to do your own repairs.

got mine for 18 bucks with shipping here 2005 - 2014 Ford Mustang, Haynes Repair Manual

I saw that this book is based on a complete tear down and rebuild. Will I be able to follow it if I am just using it to learn about the basics of self Mustang care?

OK,
Changing oil, Changing Filter, Keeping it clean, Regular maintenance,
These are all good - Yes _ Every one
*******************************BUT**********************************************
The very best thing you can do to keep your Mustang from falling apart is:::
NEVER LEND IT TO ANYBODY
Not even your best friend or your own Mother, ( NOBODY) EVER
This is still the best method of keeping any car a long trouble free time.
Ronnie

AMEN! :thumb:

I wonder how his used Mustang was treated the first 40,000+ miles of its life :whistling:

She seems to be in pretty good condition! The only reason the woman traded is because she had kids. Her loss, my gain!

 

my .02

go by the OLM for when to change oil....do it when it says 25-30% it is a good compromise between too often and getting every bit of life out of oil. Find someone local that is willing to help you learn (buy lunch) you'll make a friend and learning to fix stuff rocks. I but whatever full synthetic that's on sale and I buy my filters from the dealer that would do my wtty work. Say hi to sales/service each time you go in to p/up a filter so they know you and become your friend too. if you have not replaced your coolant overflow hosw with one with a check valve do it...search updated overflow hose 3.7 Stang although there is a link on this or the previous page as of today.

all fluid change (rad/tranny/rear end at 60-70K)

enjoy

 

Looks like you're doing all the right things, juju. As you've read above, there are slightly differing opinions on oil and changes, but they essentially offer the same basic advice. Try to avoid lots of small "around town" trips. Don't give in to the temptation to trick out your car, especially mechanically. You're making payments for five years, so don't waste money on toys and presents for it. Even though she's a Mustang, she's still just a car! Follow the manual's maintenance guide. Keep the finish in good shape. Keep it clean inside and out, and use a good paste wax at least once a year, more often if your climate and conditions require it. Don't overlook safety - check tire pressure often and brakes regularly. From your inquiry it seems you're pretty much on top of all this. Enjoy your ride - she'll be a near-classic if you do keep her for fiftteen years!

 

Just a car?? Blasphemy!!!

 

haynes just came out with their repair manual for the mustangs up to 2014 finally...so i suggest getting that so you can learn about the car yourself if/when you need to do your own repairs.

got mine for 18 bucks with shipping here 2005 - 2014 Ford Mustang, Haynes Repair Manual

 

ME Rookies....


-----------------------------------
Apparently no one told you the Mustang Evolution (ME) pecking order. Any Mustang events that you attend, you are required by (ME) to purchase drinks for anyone wearing Mustang Evolution Gear. Hats or shirts with an (ME) logo will identify ME club members.

I only mention this in case you're going to attend the 2016 American Muscle Car Show, on August 13th of this year. Once you have six (6) months in, you no longer have to buy the drinks.

Looking forward to seeing and chatting with you soon.

Failure to do this has DIRE Consequences! :horse3:

 

Oil change at anything below 8k, you're just wasting resources. Seriously. If you don't believe me, get your oil tested at certain intervals, and go from there.

I change mine every 10k, full synthetic, and the oil still looks great. I change it anyways because the oil breaks down regardless of its color, plus it's what the manual recommends. These are modern cars, with modern engines, not the 2v from yesteryear.

Unless you track it often, and I mean actually track it. Not go to the drag strip/auto x once or twice a year.

Keep up with tire rotations if you can, especially if you get a nice set, and get your alignment checked every other oil change.

Other than that, just follow the manual on the recommended flushes and changes. Don't forget you now have a timing chain, not a belt!


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Oil might look good and still be lubricating, but your filter can only clean so much.

I don't see $100 a year as a very big "waste of money", especially when it comes to protecting the most expensive part of your vehicle. Personally I think the 10k crowd are the cheap-o's. My dad goes by that theory and their 2012 camry already sounds like garbage. Lol

 

My Camry does sound pretty bad, loud as hell, probably due to the 8 pistons just doing whatever they want.

Most people, myself included drive around 10-12k a year, which would almost equal the $100 from a full synthetic service if you don't change your own oil. So there's that.

The Ford manual says 10k miles with semi synthetic, and you know who warranties these cars? Ford.

But it's your money of course.


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I change my own oil, it's super easy on these Stangs you should give it a go, you might find that you enjoy it.

As far as the recommended service goes, I dont ever go by that. It's hard to trust a guide that tells you to change your cabin air filter at 20k, but is okay with you waiting until 150k to change your transmission fluid and filter. Especially on a Mustang where people are more than likely driving aggressive on a daily basis.

If I drove like a granny on her way to church I might be comfortable with changing my oil every 10k, but that's not how I drive.

 

OK,
Changing oil, Changing Filter, Keeping it clean, Regular maintenance,
These are all good - Yes _ Every one
*******************************BUT**********************************************
The very best thing you can do to keep your Mustang from falling apart is:::
NEVER LEND IT TO ANYBODY
Not even your best friend or your own Mother, ( NOBODY) EVER
This is still the best method of keeping any car a long trouble free time.
Ronnie

 

Agree with you Ronnie.

I wonder how his used Mustang was treated the first 40,000+ miles of its life :whistling:

 

lol i still change my oil around 5-6 even at full synthetic. i don't care. i don't drive a lot of miles so i do it maybe twice a year, if that. doesn't bother me, and it's like 40 bucks for everything.

 

The best way to go is full synthetic oil

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When i change my oil i just drive the front tires onto ramps. Plenty of room and don't have to do all that jacking

 

The skip shift was a terrible idea. Starting in 1st and slowly cruising up to 3k or so, would show "Skip Shift" or something similar on the dash and lock you out of 2nd or 3rd, forcing you to shift to 4th.

This is of course something that you should decide for yourself, since it's a manual. 13 and up it was removed.

You'd have to tune it to get rid of it.


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The skip shift was a terrible idea. Starting in 1st and slowly cruising up to 3k or so, would show "Skip Shift" or something similar on the dash and lock you out of 2nd or 3rd, forcing you to shift to 4th.

This is of course something that you should decide for yourself, since it's a manual. 13 and up it was removed.

You'd have to tune it to get rid of it.

Okay ya that sounds terrible. Does it work in reverse? Is that why I'm sometimes locked out of first or second gear when I'm slowing down, because the car registers me as going to fast? I've never noticed it when up shifting though. Sometimes I've been in both 1st and 2nd before and the bass and music was so loud and I zoned out and forgot to shift (I'm a new manual driver) and would be doing 4k plus RPM and it's never locked me out of the next gear.

EDIT: nevermind. It seems like it's specifically for a 1-4 shift.

 

The skip shift was a terrible idea. Starting in 1st and slowly cruising up to 3k or so, would show "Skip Shift" or something similar on the dash and lock you out of 2nd or 3rd, forcing you to shift to 4th.

This is of course something that you should decide for yourself, since it's a manual. 13 and up it was removed.

You'd have to tune it to get rid of it.


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No, you can't definitely downshift to whatever gear you want, just let off the clutch slowly.

@Robostang, ah that's good, I had an 11 Auto to a 14 MT now so I never stumbled across that problem.

Good to know that it's an easy fix though.


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