1999 Toyota Corolla Any Serious Maintenance Necessary?

PATIOR_VITA

MEMBER
1999 TOYOTA COROLLA

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl 3500 miles

Hello,

I recently have been borrowing a friend's car, which they have owned for 9 years now but seldom drive. The car has only 3,500 miles on it. And the only problem I know of is the battery dying while the car is parked and the radio has been playing for 30 minutes. Twice within the past year the car needed an emergency jump. Given all this, is the car safe to use for long distance driving? Is the car safe at all? For the past 9 years, the only kind of maintenance my friend would do is change the oil, how frequently I do not know. What other maintenance must my friend do before a long distance trip (160 miles)?

Thank you!

Joy

5 Replies

BUZZSAW

MECHANIC
1,198 POSTS

How old is the battery? With out a full charge it probally will die with a load on it quick

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Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 AT 1:19 AM

PATIOR_VITA

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3 POSTS

How old is the battery? With out a full charge it probally will die with a load on it quick[/quote:8fb5787fba]

The battery is 9 years old. So you're saying my friend needs to get a new battery?

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Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 AT 7:35 AM

BUZZSAW

MECHANIC
1,198 POSTS

How old is the battery? With out a full charge it probably will die with a load on it quick[/quote:7b3a37cd9a]

The battery is 9 years old. So you're saying my friend needs to get a new battery?[/Quote:7b3a37cd9a]

yes It would be a good idea, ck your belts for cracks
if it needs belts may want to have your t-belt replaced also if they still have one

you can also ck your owners manual in the back there's a list of things to do at certain mileage and times

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Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 AT 10:03 AM

PATIOR_VITA

MEMBER
3 POSTS

How old is the battery? With out a full charge it probably will die with a load on it quick[/quote:68f4677f82]

The battery is 9 years old. So you're saying my friend needs to get a new battery?[/Quote:68f4677f82]

yes It would be a good idea, ck your belts for cracks
if it needs belts may want to have your t-belt replaced also if they still have one

you can also ck your owners manual in the back there's a list of things to do at certain mileage and times[/quote:68f4677f82]

Thanks! We did check the back of the owners manual, and unfortunately there was not much useful information. It would say to do things after 5,000 miles, but like I said above, the car only has 3,500 miles.

What about changing the coolant? Should we change the coolant before making a long distance road trip since it's been 9 years?

Thanks again!

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Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 AT 1:06 PM

BUZZSAW

MECHANIC
1,198 POSTS

How old is the battery? With out a full charge it probably will die with a load on it quick[/quote:12cec662cf]

The battery is 9 years old. So you're saying my friend needs to get a new battery?[/Quote:12cec662cf]

yes It would be a good idea, ck your belts for cracks
if it needs belts may want to have your t-belt replaced also if they still have one

you can also ck your owners manual in the back there's a list of things to do at certain mileage and times[/quote:12cec662cf]

Thanks! We did check the back of the owners manual, and unfortunately there was not much useful information. It would say to do things after 5,000 miles, but like I said above, the car only has 3,500 miles.

What about changing the coolant? Should we change the coolant before making a long distance road trip since it's been 9 years?

Thanks again![/Quote:12cec662cf]

a 30k service due at 4 yrs, plugs probally not (this changes all fluids)
t-belt due at 4yrs