96 Mustang GT

[southerngq]

I have a 96 Mustang GT with 85,000 miles. I drive 120 miles a day, all intertsate, and am wondering if anyone has a few tips on how to best maintain my car driving this kind of mileage?
I change the oil regularly and have the tires rotated and balanced.

What air pressure is best for this type driving?

Any tips would be helpfull.

Thanks

[mrazntre]

A lighter weight oil will give you better gas mileage on long frwy trips.

Remember to change the oil filter along with the oil. You can always check the spark plugs about every 10 to 15 thousand miles. The air filter will probably be something you'll need to look at regularly. It's a good thing to keep your tires well balanced and properly maintained with the correct tire pressure (if you're on the stock tires, just go with the recommended factory PSi). Just take a look inside, around and under your car regularly, that way you can tell if anything is going wrong. I'd check the suspension and major stuff like the radiator, oil pan, fuel tank.

You might want to invest in a cheapo japanese economy car if you keep up your commute. I'm not sure that your pony can take that much abuse without slippin because we all know, love and respect the QUALITY of American cars. hEhhe...

[golden_buns]

Also check the timing belt if you haven't done so in the past.
And check to see if you have any oil seals broken. Though I wouldn't be so worried if most of the mileage is highway mileage

[mrazntre]

water pump will also be due pretty soon.

[Hiroshi2]

You might want to invest in a cheapo japanese economy car if you keep up your commute. I'm not sure that your pony can take that much abuse without slippin because we all know, love and respect the QUALITY of American cars. hEhhe...



Well................my uncle kept a 1972 Chevy Impala going for 250,000 miles + before it was stolen. Very little, if any maintenance problems.


I agree with the thing about the timing belt (or chain, whichever one you have) because it seems like most auto manufactures design their timing belts/chains so that they only last about 80,000 miles. Our '99 Malibu had to have its chain replaced right around the 80K mark, it was getting brutal.

[mrazntre]

Well................my uncle kept a 1972 Chevy Impala going for 250,000 miles + before it was stolen. Very little, if any maintenance problems.


I agree with the thing about the timing belt (or chain, whichever one you have) because it seems like most auto manufactures design their timing belts/chains so that they only last about 80,000 miles. Our '99 Malibu had to have its chain replaced right around the 80K mark, it was getting brutal.

yeh, but we have to go with the percentages.

[golden_buns]

I agree with the thing about the timing belt (or chain, whichever one you have) because it seems like most auto manufactures design their timing belts/chains so that they only last about 80,000 miles.

It's not that timing belts are done in poor quality by auto manufacturers. They're made of ruber and the fact that they can last up to 80 to 90K miles is quite amazing considering the high engine temperatures, and all the work they have to do.

Chains last longer because of the material, but then once they go wrong, it's a real bitch to get them changed, and cost shit loads of money

Well................my uncle kept a 1972 Chevy Impala going for 250,000 miles + before it was stolen. Very little, if any maintenance problems.


you can't look a a car's reliability by looking at one owner, you have to base it more on percentages, although Impalas in the early seventy's were good compared to other cars in the market, it all depends on how the owner takes care of the car, drives it, and how lucky he/she is.

[mrazntre]

actually. it's usually recommended to change the timing belt at 60K miles and because of your aforementioned reasons, I'd change it right there and not any time after. I believe chains can run up to 100k (never had one) although some mfr's advertise the chains as a lifetime sorta thing. The metal stretches and throws off the timing, so that's why those suckers need to be replaced.

[golden_buns]

actually. it's usually recommended to change the timing belt at 60K miles

You're right, I've gotten use to think in terms of Kilometers since I've been outta the States for almost 2 years now 100,000 kilometers = about 60,000 miles

[a_wong]

I realized something as long as you maintain it like said a above your mustang should give you no problems. Actually it should be more reliable than city driving since its highway driving, less stop and go which ads more strain on the car.
btw how fast are those mustang GT's? I have a friend that wants one since he has a V6 and would like something faster.