What to do to keep my Car in Tip-top shape?

[lilwheezy75]

I have a 94 lincoln continental, im not too good with cars, my dad doesnt know as much as he used to. So im coming to you guys. I want to keep this car running and driving as smooth as possible without many problems. But i dont know what to look out for, andi dont want to just wait for something to break on me. so im askign, what are some problem areas, what do you guys recomend i look into that might sacrifice gas mileage and such...

So far i have replace the air shocks with the springs... Replaced the idler pulley and serp. belt, got a Full tune up when i bought it. it has roughly 156k on it.

Now when i start the car the sevice light comes on, but after a few seconds, goes off? Any idea. Another thing when i start my car, i hear a whine (maybe alternator) but that seems to go away. any ideas?

oR do you guys just recomend me paying a mechanic to look at my car to tell me what i should look into? and how much does that roughly cost (i know its all dependent on shops) but i just need an estimate.

i may not have been very detailed, so please ask questions if i confused you. thanks

 

[MichiganTeddyBear]

im not sure on the service light, it might be a reminder for getting the car serviced, (dealer service) and they can clear that I am sure. BUT, I am sure other people can do the service just as well as the dealer, and much cheaper... but I am not sure. My 91 does the same with the service lite too.

basically the MOST important thing to do is keep the cooling system in good condition on the car... if you dont, you will be replacing headgaskets, and possibly more. basically you just need to keep it (cooling system) function properly with proper antifreeze changes, as well as other maintance on it (hoses, ect.).. whatever you do, do NOT let the engine overheat... it will also cause rapid failure of the head gaskets...


Also, tranny maintainance is something to keep in mind.. they were not the strongest ford ever designed, but again, regular preventative maintainance will help it last as long as possible.

the whine could be alternator, mine did for about 6 months before it croaked... but my Power Steering pump also whined a bit, and I changed it out, and after a breakin period for the new pump, it was quiet as well.

Basically, just do all the normal preventative maintainance any car needs with special attention to the cooling system....

 

[lilwheezy75]

yea i had just replaced my radiator and most of the hoses so that should be in good shape. I believe my engine almost overheated once.. or maybe i stopped it before it did, becasue when the idler pulley broke it melted down the pully and the whole belt stopped spinnin

so the battery was dyin and the engine wasnt being cooled no power steering..the whole deal. I wasnt far from home, and it was the middle a freezing cold winter..s o my dad drove it home. once i replaced the pulley and belt, no problems and my dad said the car didnt overheat the way home.

 

[crookshanks]

Yeah the service light is just a reminder to get it serviced. The owners manual says how to reset the 7200 mile counter. Push the system check button and it will show you the counter.