Maintenance / Performance Tips

[LJ4174]

Hello...

My 2005 Explorer has about 57000 miles on it now and I think it's time for some routine maintance, other than my oil changes... Thinking probably a new serp. belt, transmission flushed, transfer case and differentail fluids changed... Do I need to worry about spark plugs and wires at this point? I think the manual says about 100000 miles for this, but it does idle kinda rough...

Also thinking of an air intake for better performance and hopefully gas mileage, getting ready to tow a camper with it, perhaps just a K&N filter??? Would better plugs and wires help with any of this?

Anything else anyone could suggest?

Thanks...

LJ

 

[moparbob65]

Maintenance/Performance Tips

I recently obtained a 2002 Mounty with the 4.0 engine, with 60K miles. The vehicle is really in excellent shape, but I have checked some things which I will share. I first changed the auto transmission fluid; the stuff had apparently never been changed. The dealer changed the all-wheel drive takeoff unit fluid when they replaced the viscous clutch (when the vehicle was purchased). I checked the spark plugs, not because of performance; the plugs were out of spec gap-wise, so they were replaced.

As a result, the transmission shifts better, but the 2-3rd shift is still not smooth under light throttle conditions. The transfer unit works well. After the plug change, the fuel mileage has increased about 1 mpg.

Be sure to check the serpentine belt; it may have been changed already - ours had. The belt deterioration signs are well known.

Hope this helps.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

Spark plugs are cheap, and cannot hurt. Be sure to swap the transmission filter.

Other stuff to consider on top of your list: coolant flush, power steering fluid flush, brake fluid flush, air filter, and check the battery.