ford focus maintainence

irelandhouse

Hi just wondering if I could get a bit of advice.

at the minute we have a nice and reliable 2005 1.6l ford focus lx petrol model. We have had it since she was a year old and are not in a position to change it. its has 145,000kms on it and have never had anything major wrong with it.

we drive nearly 70km's at least a day and travel a bit with our kids too.

Would I be able to ask a few questions ;

what needs to be changed on a car like this regularly and what of this would be a DIY job ?
- air filter ?, oil ? brake pads ?
or do we just change these as needed ?

what bigger jobs will prolong the car's life or are just generally good to do ?
- timing belt ?

or is there any other advice on good things to do with the car to help keep it in good shape?

hope this isnt too basic a question, many thanks in advance.

I think the 1.6 timing belt change was 100K miles. Can be done DIY but only if you are very competent

Oil and oil filter every 6000 miles would keep the engine very sweet, easy to do DIY. Air filter annually is an easy DIY job, only change if it's dirty. Coolant change every 5 years if you use the red coolant, again easy DIY. (Check the Ford recommendation)

Pads whenever they are needed, DIY able but any place will do them for a small charge.

Spark plugs are easy DIY too, I don't know if the Focus takes normal ones are expensive longlife ones, either way they are very simple to change.

ardmacha

Perhaps you should get one of these