2003 CVPI Preventative maintenance ???

[1996Chreokee]

I have a 2003 Crown Vic PI in excellent shape mechanically and physically. I have a couple of questions:

1.) I don't know when the last tranny flush was done... Do I just drop the pan and change the filter or should I take it to a shop and have them run it through the tranny cooler

2.) Rear diff? anything special or just drop the cover and change the oil?? Do they like any specail oils?

3.) Radiator... Just a drain plug in the radiator and flush it or do I have to bleed the system when done??

I normally just drive old junk with way over 150k and never do more than just oil changes to keep the car happy.. But I would like to keep this one around for awhile and want to keep up on the maintenance.... Please feel free to offer any advice on any other services I should be doing at 64k miles

Thanks alot in advance

[pollenjesus]

Originally Posted by 1996Chreokee

I have a 2003 Crown Vic PI in excellent shape mechanically and physically. I have a couple of questions:

1.) I don't know when the last tranny flush was done... Do I just drop the pan and change the filter or should I take it to a shop and have them run it through the tranny cooler

2.) Rear diff? anything special or just drop the cover and change the oil?? Do they like any specail oils?

3.) Radiator... Just a drain plug in the radiator and flush it or do I have to bleed the system when done??

I normally just drive old junk with way over 150k and never do more than just oil changes to keep the car happy.. But I would like to keep this one around for awhile and want to keep up on the maintenance.... Please feel free to offer any advice on any other services I should be doing at 64k miles

Thanks alot in advance

1.)The best way to change the tranny fluid is to do a flush.


2}The differential oil is supposed to be good for the life of the vehical. As long as it's not leaking than you should be good. I had a recall for the rear axle shaft on my car, and if it was done properly the gear oil and additive would be changed.

As for gear oil I believe it's 75w90 synthetic. There is also an additive required for the limited slip diff when you are changing the fluids.

3)For my 03 I just open the drain on the rad, let it drain, clost the plug and refill. Make sure to run the engine until the thermostat opens(when upper rad hose gets hot it's open) and make sure that the rad fan comes on, and then turns off again. I do this all with the coolant reservoir lid off(rad cap). top up reservoir as required and put the reservoir cap on.

Maintainance? I love to maintain my car. I'm up to 205 000k and my car runs better than it ever has. I'm a perforamce junky too.

Change your spark-plugs regularly.... but be careful. I have blown 3 spark-plugs out of the heads because of crappy sparkplug theads in the heads. Change the plugs only when the engine is stone cold or else risk tearing out the 4 measly little threads.
I use NGK TR5 plugs gapped at .040 and got good results. Granted the TR5plugs should be changed every 20 000, but I say it's worth it.

Check your car for recalls...I had 3 done on mine.

As for 150k service if it were my car I would do the plugs, tranny flush, check the front suspension for tierod or balljoint play, alignment, fuel filter.