Today I replaced
the serpentine belt.
Steps:- remove the radiator's auxiliary fan (sounds like a lot, but it's actually four clips, a plug and a bit of wiggling) to give you some more slack. Easy-peasy and worth it in my opinion. Took the chance to clean the fan and the engine front thoroughly with brake cleaner. Instructions here:
- I found this video on how to proceed:
I also installed the
rear hatch strobe/flashing light trick when braking. Product here:
GS-100A Car LED Brake Stop Light Strobe Flash Controller Module. The thingy will make your LED centre brake light blink rapidly for a couple of seconds, then two longer flashes, and after that the usual red brake light.
How to: - Open lift gate.
- Remove bolt underneath a round plastic cover placed at the closing handle (on the right).
- Using a plastic tool, thrust it in the outer side of the plastic cover and carefully slide it along the frame. You will feel it "pop" several times all the way round.
- Remove bottom plastic cover.
- Locate two screws -one per side on the upper plastic cover that will give you access to the LED third brake light. Remove them and repeat prying procedure using the plastic tool. When reaching the centre, bend it, take a peep inside, and you'll see two straight plastic tabs -one on each side of the LED brake light. Pry and wiggle softly: the inside plastic window frame will eventually come out.
- LED connector is on the left. Pull gently, disconnect and splice.
- The gadget has an IN and OUT direction. Weld/connect the red wire to the blue one (live) and the black wire to the brown (ground).
- Reconnect the plug.
- Test that it works before reassembly.
- Reassemble and brake at will.
A shower and to work now!