Alright folks, time to spill the beans on what actually went down when I decided to tackle some basic GT upkeep myself last Saturday. Woke up knowing I couldn’t put it off any longer – that oil looked blacker than my morning coffee and the brakes were squeaking like a rusty gate.
Getting My Ducks in a Row
First things first, I raided my garage shelves. Dug out my trusty floor jack, because let’s be real, those little scissor jacks that come with the car? Forget it, felt safer crawling under with proper lift. Found the jack stands too – safety ain’t optional. Grabbed:
- Oil drain pan (that old plastic basin I keep meaning to replace)
- Fresh oil filter (the exact one the GT folks recommend)
- Five quarts of oil (expensive stuff, winced buying it)
- New crush washer for the drain plug (those pennies matter)
- Tire pressure gauge (the digital one that beeps)
- Basic wrench set and a good filter wrench
- Some old rags (lots of ’em, I mess up)
- A headlamp – garage lighting is garbage
Parked the GT on the flattest bit of concrete I could find. Chocked the rear wheels tight with some chunks of firewood – didn’t fancy it rolling anywhere. Lifted the front end slow with the floor jack until it felt solid, then slapped the jack stands under those strong lift points. Shook the car hard before crawling under. You gotta know it ain’t going anywhere.
The Messy Business Underneath
Crawled under. Damn, that exhaust is always hot, bumped my arm – lesson learned, wait longer after driving! Spotted the oil drain plug. Slid the drain pan right underneath. Got the correct size wrench and cranked it loose. Last turn with my fingers… and WHOOSH! Thick, dark oil poured out like old molasses. Let it drip forever, seemed like. Reached up top, took off the oil filler cap – helps it drain faster, they say.
While it dripped, tackled the oil filter. That little bastard was on TIGHT. Slipped the filter wrench around it, leaned into it hard, felt it finally give with a groan. Oil went everywhere as I spun it off – shoulda had the pan right there. Dripped all down my arm, fantastic. Quickly wiped the new filter’s rubber seal clean and smeared fresh oil on it. Hand-tightened the new filter until snug, then gave it just a tiny bit extra with the wrench. Went back to the drain plug. Wiped the plug clean, popped that new crush washer on, screwed it back in firmly (didn’t Hulk-smash it, just solid).
Tweaking the Small Stuff
Crawled out from under, finally. Lowered the car off the jack stands slow. Double-checked my tools were cleared. Time for oil! Popped the hood, funneled in four and a half quarts of that expensive golden stuff. Ran the engine for a minute. Shut it off. Waited a nerve-wracking five minutes then pulled the dipstick, wiped it, checked it twice. Perfect level? Perfect level. Closed the cap.
Got the tire gauge out. Checked all four pressures cold – two were definitely low. Pumped ’em back up to that magic number on the door sticker. That satisfying PSHHH sound as the pump filled them felt good.
Snuck a peek at the engine air filter. Pulled it out – looked dusty as heck. Gave it a few good whacks against the trash can outside, watched the dust cloud. Couldn’t hurt until the new one arrives.
The Final Test Drive
Gave the brakes a quick look – pads still had meat. Listened while rolling back and forth for any grinding; just that damn squeak when cold. Made a mental note: brake pads soon. Took it for a short spin around the block. Came back, checked under the car fast with my headlamp – no new oil leaks. Sweet relief. Felt smoother, quieter. Didn’t magically add 50 horsepower, but feels sorted. Total cost? Just fluids and filter, beat the dealership price by a mile.
