tune up for 01 Corolla LE

[Crowbar911]

On thursday, i have a car day. I need to get a few things done, oil change and new PCV vavle and spark plugs.

I have already done a tranny fluid change at 30K
I know I need to flush my coolant, but will be taking it to a hop for that
I have a drop in K&N air filter, so that doesn't need replaced.

what am I missing that could be done?

I have 47,500 miles.

[ghost_ryder35]

fuel filter, in cabin air filter (behind the glove box)

[Crowbar911]

Im not sure if I have a cabin air filter. My Haynes manual doesn't say anything, and fuel filter is something that I will have to have a mechaqnic do. Im not a fan of messing around with fuel.

COuld somebody double check if i have a cabin filter?

[cheesep]

98 and newer the fuel filter is in the fuel tank and does not need servicing.

[lexusk8]

Check your brake pads and make sure there is plenty of life left on the pads.

[tech8]

On my dad's 01 Corolla, I usually do the following every 30,000 miles:

Air filter
Radiator coolant
Oil and oil filter
Brake fluid
Transmission fluid

The 01 Corolla has Iridium sparkplugs, which have a longer service life (100,000 to 120,000 miles); but I would change them around 80,000. I changed my dad's at 100,000, still looked fine, but my dad says the gas mileage increased.

Check brake pads, but Toyota brake pads last a long time, at least for my dad. His front pads lasted 100,000 miles (to my surprise).

I don't believe there is a cabin filter on the 01 Corolla, nothing in the owner manual, or shop manual I have talks about it.

The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor did get dirty before, and gave a code of P0171; but was fixed with a cleaning. It is located on the airbox, a little after the air filter.

[Crowbar911]

When I got the car, I put copper plugs in, and I now know I shouldn't, so I am changing them.

I just got new brake pads, new rotors, and my drums rebuilt.

I am EXTREMLY hard on my brakes. I don't know why, but im not th best of drivers. I have tried to become better. I have had to get new pads twice since i got the car in 04.

I have switched over to synthetic oil, but haven't noticed much of a difference. has anybody done th same and noticed anything?

How would I clean my MAF?

I get 43 MPG city, and 45 MPG highway. - I have ben told this is amazing, anyway I can increase this?

[tech8]

I've been using Mobil 1 synthetic on my dad's Corolla since the start. I used synthetic oil on cars I owned for years (VW GTi, Honda CRX Si, Honda Accord), and each car went for years with never any oil related problems. On the VW GTi, it had an oil temperature guage, and the oil temperature dropped when I switched to Mobil 1.

I don't think you will feel any performance difference with synthetic, it just protects better, and you can go longer between oil changes compared to convential motor oil.

To clean the MAF, you just need to a philips screwdriver, a 10 mm wrench or socket, electrical contact cleaner (quick drying type).

I bought the CRC brand electrical contact cleaner QD (Quick Drying). You can also get CRC Mass Air Flow cleaner (same stuff as the QD, but different label). Or in a pinch, use brake cleaner.

The MAF sensor is held in place with two philips screw, make sure you use the right size philips screwdriver head; otherwise, you risk rounding the screw heads. (Unclip the electrical harness clip first.)

There is a bracket held in place with a 10 mm bolt, partially blocking the removal of the MAF sensor.

The MAF sensor just pulls out after that. Just give around 9-10 sprays of the cleaner on the MAF sensor wires and other areas, and let it air dry. Do not touch the thermistor wires in the sensor, as you may damage them. (Search on the internet regarding MAF sensor cleaning for a Toyota Tundra, there is a site that gives good pictures of the cleaning process.)

[tech8]

I dont' know what gas mileage my dad gets, but the gas mileage you get is phenomenal. So, I don't think you can do much to improve that.

[vibebreaker]

how the hell do you have 43/45mpg?!!?!??!

[Crowbar911]

My gas mileage has always ben high in this car. I love it. I do alot of highway driving.

I love this car. the size, gas mileage, and stability are amazing. It could use a littl more power, but its a corolla. One thing that I don't like, is that there aren't much in the way of mods for my year.

[tech8]

For the Mass Air Flow sensor, do a search with google, under 'Tacoma mass air flow sensor', and on of the first few sites has some pictures similar to the Corolla. The Corolla is only slightly different, with the a bracket partially blocking the removal.

[Crowbar911]

COuld I use WD-40 to clean it?

I don't have brake cleaner or Electrical cleaner.

[tech8]

Don't use WD-40 to clean the MAF sensor, that will most likely destroy it.

[Crowbar911]

ok...I ran into a problem.... A big one.

Every thing went well until I got to the PCV valve. It was incredibly hard to get out. I finally got it out slowly wan gently. Then, when putting the new one in, the new one stripped the threads that are connected to my engine. I was able to get the old one in, and stay in, but I think im screwed because the treads are halfway gone. what can I do?