New to me '04 Corolla

[cmoore99]

I just picked up an '04 Corolla LE for my daughter to drive. The body, engine and automatic transmission are all in good shape. Fluids are all fresh. I have also checked the front brakes and they still have some pad life left. I have yet to check the rear brake shoes. The car also came with all but new Bridgestones. The car has 75000 miles. Now my question for the forum. Any maintenance items other than regular oil changes that I need to worry about? Timeing belts, fuel filters etc...Thanks in advance for any help and direction you can give me.

Charlie M.
Dallas, Texas

[Raddman]

Originally Posted by cmoore99

I just picked up an '04 Corolla LE for my daughter to drive. The body, engine and automatic transmission are all in good shape. Fluids are all fresh. I have also checked the front brakes and they still have some pad life left. I have yet to check the rear brake shoes. The car also came with all but new Bridgestones. The car has 75000 miles. Now my question for the forum. Any maintenance items other than regular oil changes that I need to worry about? Timeing belts, fuel filters etc...Thanks in advance for any help and direction you can give me.

Charlie M.
Dallas, Texas

I have an 03S with 66K on it...basically the same car as yours...

My rear brakes are still original and when checked last fall I had 50% pad left, I just put my third set of front pads(ceramics) on...With ceramics I don't get that morning pad squeal from being damp

The previous owner should have a list of items he has done through regular maintenance under warranty, I think you can even check through your cars vin number...

Whenever I buy a used car I like to start fresh and give it a complete fluid change, oil/coolant/tranny/break fluid etc etc,...then you have peace of mind to know its done and then start keeping your own records...

Check/replace filters air and cabin(under glove compartment) fuel filter is built in the fuel pump in the tank...also the timing chain is a chain no need to replace at 75K unless its making noise, also important is to check your serpentine belt for wear/cracks...

Few other things, Every early summer I get a wheel alignment and wheel balance/ rotation from winter wear...Also check your battery...

I probably missed some that maybe others can help with here...

Last tip, if your handy then DO IT YOUSELF and save big $$$$ over what the dealer and others might charge you, your daughter has a great reliable car

Good Luck

~Radd

[cmoore99]

Radd, thanks for the reply. It's good to know that the timeing chain does not need to be replaced. I guess the fuel filter is something to not worry about unless you have to change the fuel pump. All of the fluids are fresh so I think we are good to go there. All in all it looks like the car is in good shape. I have my fingers crossed that my daughter will get some good miles and good years out of it.

[stubborn1]

You might want to think about the serpentine belt. I usually change mine around 80-90k miles, but if the vehicle has been in the heat of TX, it might be due. A visual check of the hoses wouldn't hurt either.

[Raddman]

Originally Posted by cmoore99

Radd, thanks for the reply. It's good to know that the timeing chain does not need to be replaced. I guess the fuel filter is something to not worry about unless you have to change the fuel pump. All of the fluids are fresh so I think we are good to go there. All in all it looks like the car is in good shape. I have my fingers crossed that my daughter will get some good miles and good years out of it.

I'm sure she will...

The only thing I'm not sure of is when to replace the plugs, they use the Iridium type and the maintenance book say to change them somewhere around 100K but sometimes it seems like I have a small miss for a moment then it goes away, could be the gas...I'll have to check it out when it gets warmer here in Ohio...

Just a thought but you might want to put fog lights in for her and upgrade you stock 9006 bulbs to silverstar or night hawks to give her better/improved vision at night driving

If your going to change the serpentine belt yourself I have a picture I can send you of the belt pattern and how to loosen the tension...

~Radd

[cmoore99]

Changing the serpentine belt is a good idea. If you can send me a diagram that would be great. I will also check out the hoses and make sure they look O.K. Since they are only 3 y/o I think they will be O.K. for a while longer. The new lights sound like a good idea as well. I knew there were some things I could start doing to this car. Thanks for all of your thoughts and ideas.

Charlie M.
Dallas, Texas

[paulkramer]

Guys - sorry to ask what might be old questions, but I have little shop experience with my wife's Corolla. I searched, but didn't find answers to all my questions, so I thought I'd bump this old post....

My wife's '03 is turning ~ 45K, so I think it's due for coolant (she had it done at JiffyLube a year or so ago, I've been wanting to replace it with Toyota coolant ever since). I wish I had a shop manual, like I do for my RSX, but they're not so readily available. If I had the manual, I wouldn't have to ask so many questions! So, does the Corolla have a cooling system bleeder valve? The RSX doesn't, and it's only necessary if the radiator neck isn't the highest point in the system.....

Her trans is auto - do you know if they use replaceable filters like GM? Or should I just drain and refill?

Power steering and brake fluids - the owner's manual makes no brand recommendations for these, and like other cars, there is no indication of how much fluid is needed. Any suggestions about capacities and/or brands?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

BTW - Rad - I hope you changed your spark plugs - my RSX iridium NGKs looked horrible at 50K miles, and I'll be changing my wife's soon too - as soon as I take out a loan! $50 for four plugs.........good thing they only need changing every 50K miles.....too bad they don't last 100K as advertised!

[toyota_b]

Changing the sparke plug wires would not be a bad idea either i usually change them whenever i replace the plugs too.

[paulkramer]

Originally Posted by toyota_b

Changing the sparke plug wires would not be a bad idea either i usually change them whenever i replace the plugs too.

Thanks - I didn't realize it had wires.....lol. My car has ignition packs with direct wiring.....

[w203]

Originally Posted by paulkramer

Thanks - I didn't realize it had wires.....lol. My car has ignition packs with direct wiring.....

Yep, no spark plug wires on the 9thgen.

[Flashmn]

Changing the sparke plug wires would not be a bad idea either i usually change them whenever i replace the plugs too.

Thats not really necessary, plug wires dont wear out fast. I only change them if they are cracked or they have too much resistance.