<p>If the car is driven regularly at least ten miles before stopping 5,000 miles is a good number. Oil changrs are cheap and it cleans all the crap out of the system. Not a big fan of Jiffy Lube either. Their filters are not good. Use a factory one or good aftermarket. After the first 1,000 or so don’t be afraid to give a go up to about 80% of redline AFTER it is fully warmed up. Never run a cold engine hard. Enjoy. All the other breakin advice is right on–vary speed and letting engine slow while in gear helps to create a vacuum that seats the rings better.</p>
<p>ucsd_~</p>
<p>'twas NJ’s idea, but I <em>loved</em> it too!!! :)</p>
<p>Nj - great idea on the plate, and berurah - great concurrence! I also think that plate should provide a perfectly valid excuse if caught driving just a bit too fast.</p>
<p>
<em>ROFL</em>!!! Great approval of the initial idea <em>AND</em> the concurrence. I shall commend your commendation! 
And OMG, I hadn’t even thought of how ready an excuse it would be for law enforcement! Touché!!! 
</p>
<p>LTS~</p>
<p>That’s it. You have no further choice in the matter. Your plate for your new baby MUST be L82SKL!!! And yes, we ARE the last word on the matter!!! :D</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>LOLOLOL!!! I absolutely LOVE the license plate idea! That’s hilarious. And perfect excuse for law enforcement. Especially considering this car just makes its own decisions about how fast to go. Berurah I made it to Kansas and drove right by your house - but I couldn’t bring myself to ease off the accelerator, and certainly couldn’t imagine applying the brakes - so unfortunately I did not stop. But I’ll try again on the way back, o.k.? </p>
<p>Edad, thanks for that. D suggested we drive over and through the middle of the state - adds an hour to the trip but guarantees we have lots of variation, vs. routing through the everglades, where we would do 75 mph for three - four hours straight, and no hills and no variation at all. So I think that’s what we’ll do. I worried that the cat would be unhappy because it’s one more hour he’s stuck in the car in his pet carrier, but she said if we stop meowing at him and talking to him (and provoking him to meow back at us) he’ll go to sleep and won’t know the difference. </p>
<p>UCSD<em>UCLA</em>Dad, thank you so much for your post, that’s incredible. I am very excited to see if I can do what you do and keep this car forever. Later this week I am going to choose a car cover. As a matter of habit I always park at the most remote distances from bulldings, regardless of what I’m driving. I don’t like being cramped in close to other people and their cars, and walking is fun. </p>
<p>D decided she wants a mustang too, so, unless her grad school application results end up with her in NYC, we’re going to take some time to look around, to see if we can find a used one in nice condition.</p>
<p>
Look, LTS, if you even just S-L-O-W down on the return trip, I shall make a LEAP!! However, if I ride around with you TOO much, you’ll have to switch the plate from L82SKL to ALWAZL8 'cause I don’t think I’ve EVER been on time to ANYTHING!!! ;)</p>
<p>~b.</p>
<p>Berurah - the cutest license plate I’ve seen lately is WZNT ME. LOL! Too bad it’s already taken. </p>
<p>Quick question for UCLA<em>USC</em>Dad - or anyone else who has done this - is there some safe guaranteed way to get the dealer’s sticker off the back without damaging the finish? It seems to be on there pretty good, and I’m afraid to attempt it without some way to be sure that I can get it all the way, completely off without doing any damage. I’m afraid to just choose a corner and start trying to peel it off…</p>
<p>Also, D bought me some Armorall products for cleaning the interior, which I’m afraid to use. The owner’s manual says buy Motorcraft cleaning supplies, but I have no way to know that that’s just a marketing ploy. The service department says don’t ever use Armorall - they claim that once you start, you have to use consistently, forever, otherwise it destroys the interior finishes. I give up. What is safest to use?</p>
<p>Good advice on the armorall. Armorall will not prevent the dash cover from cracking due to sunlight and may make it worse. Armorall will also vaporize and put a nasty, waxy film on your windows. The best thing you can use on the dash is a cloth dash cover. I recommend 303 aerospace protectant for treating door and window gaskets and all exterior plastics and rubber. You can also use it on interior plastics, but if you put it on the dash you may see an annoying reflection in the windshield. The 303 has a strong UV block and lasts quite awhile. Eventually, even the 303 will deteriorate and form a whitish film. You can either re-apply or wash it off. I have never seen 303 in auto supply stores. Usually it is available in marine supply stores.</p>
<p>Griots carries a full line of great autocare products. I use many of them as do many others in the car clubs I belong to.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1006&SKU=11169[/url]”>http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1006&SKU=11169</a></p>
<p>late:</p>
<p>I don’t know where the sticker is but I can’t stand stickers on cars - especially paint. I start with the least volatile stuff I can and avoid too much rubbing. I’ve used water, goo-be-gone, or acetone on some things without damaging the surface but whatever you use, I suggest starting in a small section first. I think 3M makes an adhesive removal product for this as well that can be found in auto parts stores. For bird droppings, just wet it a lot and keep a saturated cloth on it if need be to re-hydrate the stuff and it usually comes off. Make sure to do it asap since it’s acidic and will leave permanent marks in no time. </p>
<p>I don’t like Armor-all interiors. It gives it a greasy look and feel that isn’t natural. If you keep the car out of the sun as much as possible (garage, car cover), the dash and seats should last decades without cracking. I actually just use a damp cloth to get the dust off and if really needed, will use soap and water.</p>
<p>Here’s a link for a goo-gone product that might work (I haven’t tried it though) - <a href=“http://www.homaxproducts.com/products/cleanersremovers/13/index.html[/url]”>http://www.homaxproducts.com/products/cleanersremovers/13/index.html</a></p>
<p>Hi also from So Cal…saw the Mustang thread and had to join!
usd<em>ucla</em>dad
If you are in socal l.a. area would love a referral for a trustworthy mechanic for '65 Mustang. My d has one and loves it, but needs some work. She has it with her at Pepperdine and limits her driving, but would never part with it!
latetoschool
I’m sooo jealous! So wanted a new Mustang for me, but keeping old Honda until D out of college!</p>
<p>JC:</p>
<p>Sorry - I’m in the San Diego area and I don’t even know of any mechanics here to recommend since I do most of the work on them myself. They’re pretty simple cars to work on so any reliable place could do it although it’s best to take it to someone who ‘appreciates’ old cars.</p>
<p>Way cool car! CONGRATS!!! Wish you lots of luck with it. It’s so much fun to love what you are driving. Have a wonderful New Year. And thumbs up for your D - thumbs down for your neighbor, who I am sure is jealous!</p>