1997 Maintenence and Service

[Sean Mintz]

1997 Continental, 70k miles.

Question, the first: Due to the fact that I am in college the majority of the year, I only spend time with my car every six months or so. In my absence, the car is driven a bit every week or so to keep it happy. But I was curious if anyone could recommend a simplified maintenance schedule, given the time I have at home. The amount of miles the car gets is tiny, but it does get a lot of Texas heat.

Should I do an oil change every six months? Or every year?

Should I get the transmission fluid changed every year?

Any other fluids?

Anything mechanical to have looked at? Any of the lovely Ford plastic or rubber that should be looked at?

Half a year? A year? Never?

Question, the second: This is related to the aforementioned Texas heat (which I think might be playing a role in this matter). This past summer I noticed that the interior lights of the car flickered (which I do not recall ever seeing before, but admit that I may not have ever noticed because they are hardly ever on). If I ran the car only on battery, the lights shined solid. If, however, the car was on and idling, the lights would flicker enough to make me a bit worried. Is this something i should worry about? Is this something that can or should be fixed? The summer before, I got a new alternator. This one I got a new battery. The plugs have about 15 to 20k miles and are factory. Am I missing anything?

Question, the third: I have asked this before, but was curious if anyone ever had any personal experience. The cigarette lighter / power adapter located by the transmission shifter is loose. The blue jewel plastic that held it firmly in place shattered (presumably from the heat), giving the adapter a worrying amount of play as I plug things in or take things out. The last time I went to the dealer (the last time I will ever go, given some lovely experiences), I did ask what it would cost to get fixed, assuming it was a simple operation. They wanted to charge $300 because some lousy blue plastic shattered! Things like this bug the hell out of me and I would like to get it fixed, but not at $300. Would I have to find the parts myself? Any thoughts?

Question, the fourth: I had the air bags replaced so the air suspension, mechanically speaking, seems to run great. The compressor, though, has had many a year under its belt. The thing is damn loud when it levels the car. Is the noise a sign of it wearing out, or just age? Not worth worrying about?

Question, the fifth: People often discuss adding transmission coolers to these cars. Could anyone tell me about them? Are there any other cooling related things I should think about for a Texas car?

Question, the sixth: Having sat in all of the seats in my car, it has come to my attention that the drivers has become, shall we say, a little un-Lincoln like. Texas Auto Trim has been recommended to me to re-pad the seat. Anyone have any experience with this situation or with that particular company?

Finally, thank you for getting this far. I appreciate you having taken the time to read through this and for any thoughts or advice you might offer.

Sean Mintz

[v8_dave]

I think your in good shape, when I have time later today I will support my statement with details about all your questions. :)

[Sean Mintz]

Any thoughts?

Sean

[pro-five-oh]

Should I do an oil change every six months? Or every year?Every year, though check the oil on the dipstick every few months to make sure the level is good and its still somewhat golden in color.

Should I get the transmission fluid changed every year?Nope, you don't drive it enough. Again check the condition of the fluid. Should be red or pink, and not smell smokey.


Any other fluids?Have the coolant flushed once, just in case its old and cruddy. Also have your brakes bled when you're ready to drive the car regularly.


Anything mechanical to have looked at? Any of the lovely Ford plastic or rubber that should be looked at?The rubber hose from the valve cover (the one in front) with the PCV valve. Other than that, nothing special unless you see something bad, when you open the hood.

If I ran the car only on battery, the lights shined solid. If, however, the car was on and idling, the lights would flicker enough to make me a bit worried. Is this something i should worry about? Is this something that can or should be fixed? You need to get a digital voltmeter that plugs into your cig lighter. Equus makes one for $15 and its at most any parts store or WalMart.

Until you have this tool to check what's going on, you'll never know what to do.

They wanted to charge $300 because some lousy blue plastic shattered! Things like this bug the hell out of me and I would like to get it fixed, but not at $300. Would I have to find the parts myself? Any thoughts?Junkyards (the ones on Shepard road between I-10 and I-45) will have the part and you can buy the cig assembly from an online parts vendor, remove the ashtray assembly and install it yourself. Its pretty easy, get a CD shop manual for the instructions.

The thing is damn loud when it levels the car. Is the noise a sign of it wearing out, or just age? Not worth worrying about?Replace it when you're ready to drive the car regularly. Its not gonna be a problem for a while, more than likely.

Question, the fifth: People often discuss adding transmission coolers to these cars. Could anyone tell me about them? Are there any other cooling related things I should think about for a Texas car?
Google is your friend: http://www.perma-cool.com/faq/coolers.html

Other than the tranny, nothing else is needed. Window tint is a great cooler, as it keeps the interior cooler and puts less stress on the A/C. ;)

Texas Auto Trim has been recommended to me to re-pad the seat. Anyone have any experience with this situation or with that particular company?Depending on your physical size, that can be a problem. I would get a passenger seat from a junkyard and have its foam installed on your seat, but I doubt Texas Auto Trim will do that. You need to find a shop in the yellow pages who'll do that.

Finally, thank you for getting this far. I appreciate you having taken the time to read through this and for any thoughts or advice you might offer.You got it. We've talked before, you MUST get a plug in voltmeter and a Ford CD manual to learn more about your car. Only then can you be sure people aren't ripping you off.

[Sean Mintz]

Thanks a lot!

Sean

[Nick]

Question, the fourth: I had the air bags replaced so the air suspension, mechanically speaking, seems to run great. The compressor, though, has had many a year under its belt. The thing is damn loud when it levels the car. Is the noise a sign of it wearing out, or just age? Not worth worrying about?

The compressor is mounted to a sheetmetal bracket with 3 rubber bushings. If you put your hand on the compressor, and it quiets down, your bushings are shot.

[Sean Mintz]

Great suggestion, I will check that out.

Sean

[aristo1963]

the bushings are available as a kit from dealer cost me 15 bucks and now she hums.