Advice for a new owner

[Irishjohn74]

I am the proud new owner of a 2003 C4S coupe 6 speed. So I'm new to the forum and new to the car. I'm looking for some advice on maintenance that I should be looking at for this car. It has 41K miles on it. I had a full PPI done and it passed with flying colors.

This is what I know from the previous owner and the receipts that he gave me with the car.

Tires are 2K miles old

Clutch was replaced at 37K

Brakes and rotors are in perfect shape (PCCBS installed)

Brakes were recently flushed 1K miles ago

I want to do a minor service just to get my feet wet and start the clock runnning for my own maintenance schedule. I have purchased the following

Oil filter

Drain plug and washer

charcoal cabin air filter

air filter

I need some advice on the oil to use. I'm not trying to start the oil wars here as it looks like this is a hot topic. I live in California and this car will never see temps below 32 deg. I also plan to drive it to work a couple of days a week so there will be some stop and go. Summer temps hit triple digits here.

So what is a widely available approved oil that I should be looking at for my engine. I got the attached list from one of the other forums. Is this list legit? Looks like 90% of the approved oils are 5W40. I found some Mobil 1 5W40 ESP formula the 0W40 is on the list but not the 5 any thought?

Also what do most people do for oil change interval.

Any other maintenance tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance

IrishJohn

Edited November 3, 2009 by Loren
Copyrighted information removed

[wvicary]

Do a quick search on the forum and you'll find many answers to your questions.

[phillipj]

+1 Just search each task individually for the 996 and you will find all the DIY's and other info. Everything you are looking for is here.

:welcome:

[dynemd]

Start by scrolling down from this page Click Here

[BReyes]

You did it now. You may as well slap a pic in here to shut m up. :)

Show us your new brakes while you are down there. Your car didn't wake up the guys at the facility but a few times. Yet, you can probably drive the car here and back having left with a perfect PPI. I like the 1950's mechanics responding to who is going to fix the new Pcars, 'they don't need service.'

Any ways you have some good reading to add to your prior readings. I like to flush out the coolant as oil gets changed out. My tip, has fluid that has to be flushed routinely. New brakes will keep you pouncing or prancing you call it there. Either way when you change your fluids, you will get a look at it components and you'll learn about other things like the relays, the lights, etc. Remember both your front radiator fans should work with A/C on (so you can drive it with A/C on Manual setting or turning a/c on any time h2o temp over 180 deg). Mine has a third radiator under front valence. Oh and clean the TB and MAF annually.

Service is mostly routine or replacing something (just like on other German cars) if it goes out.

It is as bullet proof as most its older siblings have been.

Hit it hard, heat is not your friend. Drive her nice, she is best in the heat of the summer! Oh BTW, hope you change your mind and sneek her out up into the mountains sometime this winter. Lastly since you mentioned oil. I have found suppliers like to play regional games and over time brand loyalty has no bearing as several brands are equally good.

Regards,

Edited November 5, 2009 by BReyes