How to maintain my Ford Fiesta mk5 2008 to last longer?

FrankC21

Hi,

I put my ford fiesta 2008 mk5 in for NCT, and it failed due to head lights not being aligned.

Mileage is 247,000 km and I am amazed that no other major mechanical problem. However, I'd like to make it up to 280,000km or more.

what sort of regular maintenance I should do with the car?
Should I replace the suspension?
Should I replace drum brakes?
Replace the clutch or something?

biko

Keep up the yearly services.
Keep it clean inside and out, incl engine bay.
Have a look around for items that look worn.

colm_mcm

Don’t drive it

FrankC21

I bought the car back in March, it was 235,000km when I got it.
Since then I drove it to cork, wicklow and wexford. The car is a beast, it also got me through my driving test this year.

Job done this year -
-New coolant expansion tank.
-Two new front all weather tyres.
-Two New brake pads and discs.
-New timing belt and water pump.
-New battery.
-Oil & Filter changed back in August.
-New Spark Plugs.
-I check every week and try to keep the tyre pressure to 35.

-The headlights are getting cloudy, where can I get it polished?
-Considering its mileage and age, How often should I get an oil change?
-How do I keep the engine bay clean?

biko

FrankC21 wrote: »

-The headlights are getting cloudy, where can I get it polished?
-Considering its mileage and age, How often should I get an oil change?
-How do I keep the engine bay clean?

1 you can do it yourself or get in touch with a pro, just google restore headlights service in your area.
2 yearly should suffice
3 any local valeter should be able to do this for you

FrankC21

colm_mcm wrote: »

Don’t drive it

Are ye being funny?

FrankC21

Can I change the headlights bulb to white?

bazz26

FrankC21 wrote: »

Hi,

I put my ford fiesta 2008 mk5 in for NCT, and it failed due to head lights not being aligned.

Mileage is 247,000 km and I am amazed that no other major mechanical problem. However, I'd like to make it up to 280,000km or more.

what sort of regular maintenance I should do with the car?
Should I replace the suspension?
Should I replace drum brakes?
Replace the clutch or something?

If none of those components are broken or showing symptoms of wear then there is no need to replace them. Don't be fixing things that are not broken. Get the headlights alignment checked/sorted (which is recommended by the NCT prior to doing the test anyway) and drive on.

SmartinMartin

The biggest job is already done, timing belt and water pump, so you're good for another 100k at least. My advice for what it's worth, oil is the lifeblood of an engine. Do an oil change every 6 months with an oil/air filter change every second time and the car will outlast you.

colm_mcm

FrankC21 wrote: »

Can I change the headlights bulb to white?

Osram Nightbreakers or Philips Xtremevision will give you a whiter light than you have now.

mickdw

The reason your car had nothing wrong at nct is that you are maintaining it quite well. Most cars that age get no servicing and owners then just fix whatever it needs to pass the test and probably still not change the oil.
Just keep doing what you are doing. It sounds like you got a good one when you bought too so normal servicing could keep you going for a few years yet.

corsav6

SmartinMartin wrote: »

The biggest job is already done, timing belt and water pump, so you're good for another 100k at least. My advice for what it's worth, oil is the lifeblood of an engine. Do an oil change every 6 months with an oil/air filter change every second time and the car will outlast you.

Agreed, change oil and filter every 6 months or 10k miles whichever occurs first. Don't drive it hard until the temp gauge starts to rise, even driving easy until it's fully warmed up would be best.
Simple little things can extend the life of a car beyond what's you'd expect. I had a 1.6 petrol astra that got to 340k miles, and all abuse. Car got service every 10k or less and never drove hard unless warm.

jmreire

There are many car's out there which will do mega-miles if they are kept serviced. It's a crying shame sometimes to see what is on the back of trucks heading for the scrap yard. I know that there are many reasons for this, but in general it's not the car's "Fault". A lot of these cars would still have a lot of life in them.

Wibbs

SmartinMartin wrote: »

My advice for what it's worth, oil is the lifeblood of an engine. Do an oil change every 6 months with an oil/air filter change every second time and the car will outlast you.

This. So much this. And what Corsav6 said about letting an engine warm up.

bazz26

My youngest sister has a same year Fiesta for nearly 10 years but with a lot lower mileage. The car has got the bare minimum in terms of servicing in that time (she needs to be dragged to a garage to get it serviced) yet still drives away and owes her nothing at this stage. They really are a great little car.

punisher5112

One of the most reliable cars out there... They just keep going... Pity the rust got most of the previous gen.

FrankC21

colm_mcm wrote: »

Osram Nightbreakers or Philips Xtremevision will give you a whiter light than you have now.

How do I kbow the right bulb type size for my car? I am trying to buy from micks garage but there's loads of the.?

punisher5112

FrankC21 wrote: »

How do I kbow the right bulb type size for my car? I am trying to buy from micks garage but there's loads of the.?

H4 for dipped beam and high beams in the one bulb.

If you put your model or reg in it will show H4 for fiesta.

If it were a Mondeo it would be separated bulbs such as a H7 dipped beam....

bazz26

They are a H4 bulb afaik.

They have them here also:
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h4-osram-night-breaker-silver-bulbs.html
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h4-osram-night-breaker-black-cap-12v-60-55w-472-halogen-bulbs-pair.html
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h4-osram-night-breaker-laser-next-generation.html

colm_mcm

I would get the parking lights in Halfords, non LED, but a whiter light than standard without looking silly.

Bulb looks blue but light doesn’t look blue
https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/bulbs-blades-batteries/car-bulbs/501-w5w-3500k-whiter-car-bulb-halfords-advanced-twin-pack

FrankC21

Just want to say Happy Christmas to all!

Just installed osram nightbreaker laser next gen h4, I am happy with the quality and it is much whiter than the old bulb. However, I am not satisfied the foggy headlights ruins the look.

SmartinMartin

Buy a jar of smooth peanut butter, apply it to the lights vigorously with a cloth for 5 minutes and then buff with a clean cloth. Works wonders on the likes of lights and motorbike screens. Happy Christmas.

punisher5112

FrankC21 wrote: »

Just want to say Happy Christmas to all!

Just installed osram nightbreaker laser next gen h4, I am happy with the quality and it is much whiter than the old bulb. However, I am not satisfied the foggy headlights ruins the look.

Only need them in fog, we don't get that much....

Happy Christmas.

PsychoPete

punisher5112 wrote: »

Only need them in fog, we don't get that much....

Happy Christmas.

I think he means the headlights are oxidized. You can pick up a headlight restoration kit and do it with a drill or just get a valeter or detailing to sort them out for you

punisher5112

PsychoPete wrote: »

I think he means the headlights are oxidized. You can pick up a headlight restoration kit and do it with a drill or just get a valeter or detailing to sort them out for you

Yes, my bad.... Toothpaste may work but yes a kit will be better, done a few times myself on cars.

Sealing it after is important.

bazz26

Plenty of videos on youtube on how to restore glazed headlight lenses.

Grab All Association

jmreire wrote: »

There are many car's out there which will do mega-miles if they are kept serviced. It's a crying shame sometimes to see what is on the back of trucks heading for the scrap yard. I know that there are many reasons for this, but in general it's not the car's "Fault". A lot of these cars would still have a lot of life in them.

Number plate snobbery was one of the biggest reason back in the 1990s

FrankC21

I bought the autoglym restoration kit, wonder if it will work?

FrankC21

Just wondering guys, with my 1.2 ford fiesta I travel mostly on the M50 from J11 to J16 and most of the time when there are less traffic, I reached around speed of 120-130km/h @ 3500 to 4000rpm and will take me about 15-20mins to complete the journey.

Will that wear out the engine much quicker at that rpm?

punisher5112

FrankC21 wrote: »

Just wondering guys, with my 1.2 ford fiesta I travel mostly on the M50 from J11 to J16 and most of the time when there are less traffic, I reached around speed of 120-130km/h @ 3500 to 4000rpm and will take me about 15-20mins to complete the journey.

Will that wear out the engine much quicker at that rpm?

Your having a laugh now......

The bigger the engine the less stress.....
Honestly the car is over 11 years old, its done its job.,..

You will use more fuel.... Speed limit is 100km/h

Rinse and repeat.

Black_Knight

FrankC21 wrote: »

Just wondering guys, with my 1.2 ford fiesta I travel mostly on the M50 from J11 to J16 and most of the time when there are less traffic, I reached around speed of 120-130km/h @ 3500 to 4000rpm and will take me about 15-20mins to complete the journey.

Will that wear out the engine much quicker at that rpm?

Only if the engine isn't maintained.

Just drive the damn car. You seem like an anxious clueless parent with a newborn. Drive the car, service it as suggested here. After driving for a while you'll start to know the car and if something feels off you'll know it. Get it checked out then.

s7ryf3925pivug

I think the insurance premiums might increase greatly once it is 13 years old.
A while ago I put 1k into a Demio only to give it away the next year because the insurance became prohibitively expensive

FrankC21

Black_Knight wrote: »

Only if the engine isn't maintained.

Just drive the damn car. You seem like an anxious clueless parent with a newborn. Drive the car, service it as suggested here. After driving for a while you'll start to know the car and if something feels off you'll know it. Get it checked out then.

Apologies for asking these questions, I can't help it, I will be moving to drogheda and work is dun laoghaire, that's around 66km each way on the motorway and will probably cruise at around 3500-4000rpm in my 1.2 fiesta for about an hour. I just want to prepare myself just incase she finally gives up.

punisher5112

FrankC21 wrote: »

Apologies for asking these questions, I can't help it, I will be moving to drogheda and work is dun laoghaire, that's around 66km each way on the motorway and will probably cruise at around 3500-4000rpm in my 1.2 fiesta for about an hour. I just want to prepare myself just incase she finally gives up.

That drive is going to be insane in a fiesta....

You need a diesel or ev.

Wibbs

FrankC21 wrote: »

I bought the autoglym restoration kit, wonder if it will work?

If you follow the instructions it'll work like a charm, though the autoglym kit is pricey(you're buying the name).

Jose Rich Farming wrote: »

I think the insurance premiums might increase greatly once it is 13 years old.
A while ago I put 1k into a Demio only to give it away the next year because the insurance became prohibitively expensive

Don't get me started on those robbing bastards who seem strangely pushing new car sales on PCP's. You'd think they had stakes in SIMI...

SmartinMartin

It's an 08 1.2 fiesta with a fresh timing belt and pump. It'll do that journey easily.

FAMLEE

FrankC21 wrote: »

Apologies for asking these questions, I can't help it, I will be moving to drogheda and work is dun laoghaire, that's around 66km each way on the motorway and will probably cruise at around 3500-4000rpm in my 1.2 fiesta for about an hour. I just want to prepare myself just incase she finally gives up.

That's quite a commute every day, 750km per week.. you really should consider getting a diesel! The fiesta is a great car but the 1.25 is a thirsty little b**ch, if you plan on keeping the fiesta I'd be changing oil every 5k km's , only thing wrong with the engine at this point is probably a bit of ring/bore wear which will in turn cause more fuel consumption & dilution of oil. Changing oil regularly will be the life of it..
Don't fall for long service oil, better to use cheap oil and change twice as often rather than buy expensive stuff!!

colm_mcm

Oil changes every 3000 miles (which will be every 6 weeks) on a 12 year old fiesta. I’ve heard it all now.

punisher5112

colm_mcm wrote: »

Oil changes every 3000 miles (which will be every 6 weeks) on a 12 year old fiesta. I’ve heard it all now.

Was thinking the same, that's absolutely nuts....

Sister ran her one 40k without a service, no oil, still kept going...

FAMLEE

colm_mcm wrote: »

Oil changes every 3000 miles (which will be every 6 weeks) on a 12 year old fiesta. I’ve heard it all now.

Good man! Get to your local motor factors, decent quality non-brand oil €~20 for 5 litres, no excuse, 5 minute job. Its the life of the engine, especially on a little high mileage petrol engine. It might seem excessive yes but it's a cheap insurance in my eyes, it'll see the crank bearings and camshaft lobes stay healthy as it progressively dilutes oil with fuel

FAMLEE

punisher5112 wrote: »

Was thinking the same, that's absolutely nuts....

Sister ran her one 40k without a service, no oil, still kept going...

Look, that's just my opinion if it was half the mileage I'd change every 10k km, I'd love to strip that engine & see the wear on the camshaft!

keepalive213

A 2008 Ford, every morning you come out there'll be another rust spot on it.

MadYaker

FrankC21 wrote: »

Apologies for asking these questions, I can't help it, I will be moving to drogheda and work is dun laoghaire, that's around 66km each way on the motorway and will probably cruise at around 3500-4000rpm in my 1.2 fiesta for about an hour. I just want to prepare myself just incase she finally gives up.

Drive at 100kph and save yourself a good bit on petrol. Or else buy a cheap diesel, your mileage is high enough and you'd save a lot on fuel. As was mentioned already when the ar hits 13 years old and you go for an insurance renewal it could be expensive.

Wibbs

MadYaker wrote: »

Drive at 100kph and save yourself a good bit on petrol.

+1

colm_mcm

FAMLEE wrote: »

Good man! Get to your local motor factors, decent quality non-brand oil €~20 for 5 litres, no excuse, 5 minute job. Its the life of the engine, especially on a little high mileage petrol engine. It might seem excessive yes but it's a cheap insurance in my eyes, it'll see the crank bearings and camshaft lobes stay healthy as it progressively dilutes oil with fuel

Any decent oil will still provide protection well beyond 5k

FrankC21

At the moment I am doing 23km each way from Templeogue to Dun Laoghaire through the M50. I spend about €30+ euro a week. Like, a full tank will last me a week and I fill it up as soon as it reaches the 1/4 mark.

FrankC21

MadYaker wrote: »

Or else buy a cheap diesel.

What cheap diesel car do you recommend? That is reliable as a ford fiesta?

colm_mcm

FrankC21 wrote: »

What cheap diesel car do you recommend? That is reliable as a ford fiesta?

Hyundai i30.
Modern diesels are inherently less reliable than more simple petrols - but the i30 around 2008/09 is very reliable and doesn’t have stuff like a DPF or dual mass flywheel that are a weak point on other diesels of that vintage

FrankC21

colm_mcm wrote: »

Hyundai i30.
Modern diesels are inherently less reliable than more simple petrols - but the i30 around 2008/09 is very reliable and doesn’t have stuff like a DPF or dual mass flywheel that are a weak point on other diesels of that vintage

Is that what the garda is using?

greasepalm

I dont believe in cheap oils as would prefare to pay for something that works as i drive hard.
Mobil esp in a 2001 spacewagon and i get asked why? , because they suffered from tappet issue and inside of oil cap is spotless which means better lube job.

jmreire

Personally, I use long life engine oil, but change it every 10'000 Klms or 365 day's. Lots of good value service kits available online.