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2010 Toyota Corolla electrical - high miles


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alvinoid
New User

May 24, 2016, 7:35 AM

Post #1 of 5 (1295 views)
2010 Toyota Corolla electrical - high miles Sign In

I'm giving my 2010 corolla to a relative. It has been an excellent vehicle, never requiring a garage visit, but has had several recall fixes. Within the last 6 months, I've noticed a little drop off in MPG, maybe a mile per gallon off my avg of about 39mpg. I have 156,000 on this relatively flawless vehicle.
Should I consider changing the plugs and wires?
Should I invest in new battery cables? (The battery itself was changed 2 years ago.)
Should I update the grounding on the vehicle throughout the engine compartment?
(I've read in the past that vehicle grounding deteriorates within 3 years of purchase, and renewing electrical grounding can achieve a 10% increase in efficiency).

Appreciate your thoughts and comments.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 24, 2016, 8:32 AM

Post #2 of 5 (1288 views)
Re: 2010 Toyota Corolla electrical - high miles Sign In

Forget ONE mile per gallon! Heck, changes in just fuel formulas can account for that.


Are you up to date with everything listed by time and miles in owner's manual? Things like timing belt if listed, transmission service if listed? You said NEVER to a garage so have to ask how much you did or just didn't do?


Grounding what? Depends on overall condition or corrosion. Just a spray with WD-40 or spray grease most stay good forever almost. Locks and hinges too with miles silly crap wears out.


Real kind of you to offer this car to your relative any which way. If going that extra step on your dime double check all is up to date as listed in manual as said,


Tom



alvinoid
New User

May 24, 2016, 9:20 AM

Post #3 of 5 (1283 views)
Re: 2010 Toyota Corolla electrical - high miles Sign In


In Reply To
Forget ONE mile per gallon! Heck, changes in just fuel formulas can account for that.


Are you up to date with everything listed by time and miles in owner's manual? Things like timing belt if listed, transmission service if listed? You said NEVER to a garage so have to ask how much you did or just didn't do?



alvinoid
New User

May 24, 2016, 9:24 AM

Post #4 of 5 (1280 views)
Re: 2010 Toyota Corolla electrical - high miles Sign In

I have only done the front brake pads once just last year.

Regular maintenance was only oil changes and air cleaner replacement. I had a 1995 Geo Prizm before this. I did do the timing belt on that one around 180,000 miles or so. The mechanic said the old one looked fine. The Prizm lasted 300,000 for me and was replaced because an unscrupulous repair shop said I needed major repairs when I discovered it did not after I had purchased the 2010 Corolla.

On the 2010 Corolla - I haven't replaced the spark plugs.

Because of repair shops around here goosing up the bills, I try to ask specific questions beforehand. In the past, I haven't had a lot of time. The job I had demanded an average of 60 hours per week on a swing shift schedule. I'm retired now as you are.

3 years ago, I took my 2010 to the dealership - I brought it in for an oil change. I had a coupon for the oil change. While I was there waiting, the service manager asked me about the little clip that locks the oil filter housing in place! The Toyota dealership did not know what it was - on a Toyota purchased there! At the same time, they claimed to have broken the housing - I suspect they broke it trying to remove the housing with the locking clip in place! They forced me to buy a new filter housing, otherwise they wanted me to drive away with no filter housing thus no oil! This is how they operated.

This being my most recent experiences with repair shops, I've avoided them. I do know one place local where I trust the guy - not the owner, but the guy who does the work. I worry about dirt getting into the cylinder when replacing the plugs, or extra expenses if the plug won't come out and breaks. I'm just trying to be proactive in keeping up with the maintenance as my relative doesn't know anything about cars.

I ask about grounding, because that is what I read and my only recent problems have to do with electrical - specifically the battery ground cable rotting away at the terminal.


(This post was edited by alvinoid on May 24, 2016, 9:28 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 24, 2016, 10:29 AM

Post #5 of 5 (1275 views)
Re: 2010 Toyota Corolla electrical - high miles Sign In

OK: You have had some rough dealings and understand. The real issue is IF most rubber timing belts do totally snap they also take out the valves and it's nasty expensive. Many could be timing belt driven and do rightfully suggest so the water pump as well at the same time if driven by the belt as well as either you lose valve timing and crunch valves.


That's all. I've seen some folks just ignore it and go ages over on miles and time and some not so lucky. I'm not convinced you can know for sure the life of all parts or if the new one is as good or better?


Plugs? IDK again. I'm now a very low mile driver and go way over by time - mega years but look now and then on my own if running new (they do) pull just one and decide. They can't get stuck in engines I have because of things I did when I did do them once (always used vehicles with some unknowns) so make my own history when acquired for keepers. Different game with me than you.


So, I'd just give it away with full understanding of any late items like that and let new owner decide knowing it.


Really, how could anyone be upset with a gift car? Just let them know and do your thing.


Side note is that you really seem much easier on cars than most which counts a lot IMO on how well a vehicle will behave for the long run.


You are already so nice to do this no matter what,


Tom







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