99 Corolla 5-speed

[Daox]

Thanks Dave. Yeah, the Paseo has a few tweaks.

I thought it was too cold where you live to work on cars!

Haha, thats what a garage and multiple layers of clothes are for.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Did my first refill today after just 246.6 miles @ 6.1 gallons that puts me at over 40 MPG. I'll keep checking it. Much better than I originally thought.

I put Castrol 10W30 in my VX because an ad on here said low friction, what's everyone else using to improve MPG's? Remember,I have over 234,000 miles.

Dave

[Wonderboy]

I put Castrol 10W30 in my VX because an ad on here said low friction, what's everyone else using to improve MPG's?

Use 5W in summer, 0W in winter. You could probably get away with 0W all year if you take 'er easy, but I don't think there's any reason to go above 5W. It's up to you to read up on the matter, so do that first and just take this as a nudge, not extensively researched advise.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

HI WonderBoy,

I was wrong. After I thought about I put 5W30 in the VX. KMart is running a sale on Castrol, something like 5 quarts of conventional for $12 or high mileage for $14. May try some High Mileage 5W30. Mostly I'll make sure it says energy saving.

Thanks,
Dave

[Funny]

High mileage is actually just slightly thicker oil to prevent blow-by from the rings. You're better off going full synthetic 5W30 in the summer and 0W30 in the winter. I use the Castrol Syntec myself, but haven't heard any complaints about Mobil One.

How many miles on it? I can't remember but if it's more than 100K, change the O2 sensors. They are expensive, so be aware. Get the Bosch, not the Denzo.

Change the Transmission fluid to a synthetic manual transmission oil. Mobil One in mine - I think it's 75W90.

Clean the Mass Air Flow sensor in the air intake if you have one - the MAF sensor I mean, and clean the Throttle Plate. I use STP Air intake cleaner for both.

Just letting you know, check your claipers in the front. Make sure the slides for the pads are still sliding, it's a common problem in NE, maybe not where you are.

Good luck and keep us updated!

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Hi Funny,

OK, i will go with a 5W30. Thanks for informing me about the high mileage oil. I don't know how much oil it uses so i will go with conventional on this change & see how often i need to add. I've had Fords in the past, diesel & gas, that it wasn't unusual to add a quart every 500 miles.

75W90 for the manual trans fluid? I thought that for better MPG's it was better to go with a regular 5W30? At least that's what I did w/ my Honda's. Is that what Toyota's like, 75W90? I drive pass Summit auto parts every Friday so I can get some Red Line or Royal Purple if I need. What's the capacity?

I have 234,000 & the check engine light is on so I may need a new O2 sensor. Bosch it is! Much needed info, thank you!

I live in NE Ohio so salt contamination is always a concern for a driver. I will have to pull the rotors off to get them at least turned, so I will check the pins too!

I will clean the MAF & the throttle plate w/ STP brand product. I will get to all this, I'm in the middle of building a 24x24 barn. I took in a beautiful all white 3 year old Arabian Mare. So I'm working w/ her to get some manners as well.

Man Funny, your a life/Toyota saver! (know anything about horses?)

Much appreciated,
Dave

[Daox]

Why do you recommend Bosch? I've never had bad luck with Denso.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

OK,

I did a search on the 02 sensor, it list's a front & rear on Anything Auto site. Do they both need replaced at specific intervals or just when they throw a code?

The Bosch was cheaper, cost wise! I know the Honda Guys like the Denso better for the 5wire VX. I haven't had bad luck with either brand name. All stuff still wears out!

Thanks,
Dave

[PaleMelanesian]

Just a quick data point.

My civic calls for 5w30, and it had that or 10w for its first 150,000 miles. I then switched to Mobil1 5w20. I've had zero problem with leaks or burning oil, even with an extended 10k change interval. The oil level stays the same the whole time.

The conventional wisdom (wiz-dumb?) is not to switch a high-mileage car to thin / synth oil. I had no trouble doing it.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Thanks for your experienced opinion PaleMal! I've got a few not expected gigs come up this week, so I may bite the bullet, maybe go to Walley World & buy a gallon or so of Mobil1.

As far as I can see I have no leaks, so Houston we have throttle up!

Thanks,
Dave