MyEs300Yea

So we just picked up out first ES its a 97 with 161,000, car sounds quiet, runs so smooth, the only issue is the left signal blinks really fast unlike the right side it blinks normal.
my question is this, the car was owned by a corporate and always maintained, when we went to pick it up i forgot to ask when was the oil change done and what type oil they used, was it conventional or synthetic, i dont know.
I have another car with 100,000+ miles on it but i always have used synthetic because that is what toyota said.
Should i change the oil in the ES now or wait, oil doesnt look that dark, and if i change it or when its time to change it, can i use 5W-30 full synthetic or high mileage oil?
And the engine compartment is DIRTY!!!! can i wash it like how i wash my other car or leave it alone? i don't use any pressure hose just my regular garden hose.

Thanks guys

BDSL

When in doubt, just change the oil. Oil change costs $30. Engine rebuilt = $$$$$.

One of the turn signal bulbs is burnt.

You can switch back and forth between synthetic and conventional oil. You can take advantage of the extended oil change interval on synthetic oil. Use the search function.

MyEs300Yea

Yeah im thinking on doing it my self, i like to see that everything is done perfect, i stop going to oil change places after i kept getting my car all greasy and oily.
Im going to change the bulb, thanks on that one.

imherenow

for the engine wash ..i use meguiars engine cleaner and then use a washing mitt to remove any grease and then spray and finally after drying off i use Adams in and out spray for the perfect shine...

jskwik

i like a light coat of clear under the hood after its dry...light, light coat!!!

imherenow

You may not find some products in walmart ..so try like autozone or advance autoparts...If they dont carry then a similar product will work too. Just for precaution i always cover the alternator, timing belt and battery with grocery/plastic bag. That is what i do but i have seen people do it without covering it. just depends who you ask.
Take some pics tooo..good luck

imherenow

looks clean ..what did u use for cleaning the engine

BDSL

Another thing you might want to consider changing is the transmission fluid (Dexron 3).

PolishJoe

I buy whatever oil is cheapest and wait for it to go on sale. Advance auto had oil and filter change special for a 5 quart jug of Peak 10w30 and Purolator filter for $10. Can't beat that.

MyEs300Yea

There was a purple bottle that said Super Clean and used that....for the little shine you see i used good old armorALL on the black stuff.

Yes that is the next step, there is a place near me that does Trans-Flush im going to swing by and see which arm i have to give them lol

marcoes300

how did you acces the air filter correctly , i tryed to open mine but open just a little so ... i dont want to break anything

marcoes300

ty vrm !! and very clean under the hood :O mine is fully oillly shotted with parafin

funcrusher

How exactly did you clean under the hood? I guess I'm going to autozone and just grabbing something specifically for it....kind of nervous about messing something up