Ford E-150 maintenance?

[maxxima]

Hey all, I’m new to van living and this forum so sorry if this is a dumb question. I bought a used 2010 ford e-150 several months ago and was wondering what i should be doing for maintenance/to keep it in good shape. I know basically nothing about cars. It runs fine, doesn’t have any major problems, but I would like to drive across the country someday and want to make sure my van can take it

Thanks for any help ?

 

[B and C]

Following the scheduled maintenance laid out for you in the owner's manual is a good place to start.

 

[Weight]

" know basically nothing about cars." Find a local mechanic you can trust. Ask around get recommendations. Also go to local auto parts store and get a Haynes Manual for your year and model. Read read read.

 

[highdesertranger]

"I know basically nothing about cars."

IMO that needs to change, unless you are rich.

BTW go over to the "Newcomers Corner" and give us an intro, we will give you an official welcome.

highdesertranger

 

[JohnnyM]

HI Maxxima,

If your van is running well and everything works, you'll be fine until things eventually wear out and need to be replaced along the way.

Here are two things you can do to love your van and to encourage it not to let you down out on the road:

#1 Watch your (engine) oil. Change it now if you're not sure when it was last changed, and check it regularly to see how often you need to add oil between oil changes. It's not uncommon for those Ford engines (probably the 5.4 liter V8) to use a quart or so every thousand miles. Don't let it get below 1 quart low and the engine will last forever.

#2 Tires, your best friend or worst enemy. If yours have tread wear or are old or of unknown age, get new ones (all four, and keep the best old one for your spare) before you take off on a trip. Just do it. Old or worn-out tires will leave you on the side of the road and put you to walkin', as they say.

Best,

Johnny

 

[ckelly78z]

It depends on how well the van was maintained by the previous owner, whether you are trying to play "catch up", or if you are planning on doing regularly scheduled maintenance.

If playing catch-up, I would look at replacing all fluids, including rear differential, transmission, coolant, brake fluid, engine oil, and power steering. I would also replace old belts, and hoses (it's tough to tell how old, and brittle they are).

It it hasn't been done yet, replace your spark plugs also, there is no need for new plug wires on a 2010 Ford, they have coil packs on top of the plugs.

While doing the fluids, replace your filters also, fuel, oil, air, PCV, cabin air, transmission.

This will get you motor/drivetrain in tip top shape, but there is still brakes, shocks, tires, and other wearable items that will need replaced periodically.

Tires all have a date code imprinted on the side of them that shows the date they were built. You shouldn't run tires past 5-6 years regardless of how much tread they have. Running highway speeds hours on end, on a 90* day will start making old/cracked tires come apart.

 

[George Mason]

What I do whenever I buy a used car, is change all of the fluids immediately change the belt and change all of the hoses. If the belt and hoses are in good shape I'll clean them up and then store them for spares. If you have good maintenance records on the card you may not need to do anything else to it. However I recommend starting fresh by going ahead and changing all of the filters and doing a complete tune-up. That way you know what you're dealing with. Also if your car has a timing belt with an interference motor, change the timing belt now unless you know it has done very recently. An interference motor is a motor where the valve can conceivably hit the Pistons if the motor gets badly out of time ie the timing belt breaks. I see the poster above me had the same idea, he has good advice definitely follow it