Toyota Corolla Notes.

4-25-10:

Changed the oil. What I thought was going to be a quick and simple oil change, ended up turning into a near nightmare. All was going well until I was tightening the oil pan bolt. Righty tighty with too much force caused the threads to strip in the oil pan. With the help of my brother he was able to back the bolt back out using a screw driver and socket wrench. Looked up how to fix online and found out that I didn't totally ruin the car. Bought a bolt with the same diameter but wider thread pattern and screwed it back in slowly. Lucky for us, it bit and tightened well. Note to self: do not use too much force to tighten the oil pan bolts.

5-31-10:

• Brother added anti squeaking substance to front brake pads which seemed to do the job! Thanks brah!
• Need to replace brake pads.

10-9-10:

• Brother changed front brake pads with Toyota brand pads.
• Oil changed with Toyota oil filter and Mobil 1 Clean 5000 5W-30 oil.
• Mileage: ~82,000 miles. (wow! 2006 model)
• Thank you very much Brah. Couldn't have done it myself. You are awesome.
• Note: Do not over tighten the oil bolt. May strip.

March 2011:

• Oil plug fell out and wife barely got home with some oil in the car.
• Brother fixed poor Corolla by installing a new oil pan with threads still intact. Got it from his old MR2 engine. Used a glue type gasket material to make it air tight.
• Works like a charm! Thanks brah!

July 2011:

• Battery died while we were watching Transformers Dark of the Moon at the theaters.
• Luckily we had emergency road side assistance and had a tow truck come to give us a jump start.
• Tried to charge battery but it was dead. Bought a Die-Hard battery from Sears and installed by myself. Works like a charm.
• Also bought heavy duty jumper cables from Wal-Mart.
• Tires rotated at Costco.

10-8-11:

• Oil changed.  103,000 miles.  Thanks bro!

11-5-11:

• Engine light came on.  Took to dealership and they said needs new charcoal canister and gas cap. They were going to charge ~ $430!  We said no thank you and fixed it ourselves.
• Fuel cap ~ $20 replaced on my own.
• Engine air filter ~ $18 replaced on my own.

11-26-11:

• New tires purchased from Costco installed.  
• Bridgestone Potenza's all season tires. 
• $331 total. 
• Turned check engine light off.  

12-14-11:

• Replaced windshield wipers with Ancon brand from Walmart.
• Replaced windshield washer fluids.  Took an entire gallon!

1-26-12:

• Replaced drivers side low beam head light with GE brand.  Original part was a Sullivan.  $19.95 from dealer.  Ouch.