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

FrankC21 · 20-12-2019 10:30PM #1

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 · 20-12-2019 10:36PM

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 · 20-12-2019 10:36PM

Don’t drive it

FrankC21 · 20-12-2019 11:20PM

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 · 20-12-2019 11:25PM

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 · 20-12-2019 11:28PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Don’t drive it

Are ye being funny?

FrankC21 · 20-12-2019 11:43PM

Can I change the headlights bulb to white?

bazz26 · 21-12-2019 02:50AM

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 · 21-12-2019 03:06AM

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 · 21-12-2019 09:44AM

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 · 21-12-2019 10:23AM

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 · 21-12-2019 10:29AM

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 · 21-12-2019 11:06AM

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 · 21-12-2019 11:28AM

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 · 21-12-2019 02:50PM

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 · 21-12-2019 02:52PM

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

FrankC21 · 21-12-2019 03:32PM

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 · 21-12-2019 03:32PM

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 · 21-12-2019 03:42PM

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 · 21-12-2019 04:51PM

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 · 25-12-2019 12:58AM

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 · 25-12-2019 02:04AM

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 · 25-12-2019 09:42AM

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 · 25-12-2019 09:53AM

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 · 25-12-2019 09:56AM

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 · 25-12-2019 01:25PM

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

Grab All Association · 25-12-2019 01:30PM

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 · 25-12-2019 04:29PM

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

FrankC21 · 25-12-2019 11:27PM

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 · 25-12-2019 11:49PM

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 · 26-12-2019 08:17AM

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.

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

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