Hey guys, I'm new to the forums but have been watching and reading for the last 2 years, and now that I have my very own 02 pro ES I feel like I finally belong. I do have 2 problems maybe I can get some help, first my bottom left tail light is out, but I'm not sure how to change it, I used the owners manual, but that only help a llittle, any help would be appreciated, next, when I drive I hear rattling, it does not happen all the time but I hear it enuff to begin to wonder about it, I read in anotheer section of the forums that some people have had some problems with rattling, but my baby is all stock, any reason behind it? Anyway thanks for any help.

 

Where's the rattle coming from? Suspension? Interior? Shifter?


Sorry, I can't help you out with the tail lights because I only know how to change 'em in a wagon. I'd probably pull out some of the plastic trim in the rear of the trunk and take a peek.

 

Welcome.

Yeah, what Natey said about the rattle. Can you try & pinpoint it a little better?
As for the taillight, I haven't had to do mine, but it should be easy enough. Those plastic panels all come off. Just do it gently because the fasteners are plastic, too and can break easily.

 

Service manual in pdf format here: http://protege5.ugly.net/

 

The sounds seems to come from the dash at times but its not really loud so its a bit hard to tell, at first I thought it was my daughters child-seat tether but I checked that, I even check my license plate and holder tightened the screws and all, the unusual thing is I don't hear the sound all the time it seems to pop up once ina blue. Thanks for the link to the worskhop manual , but I'm very unfamiliar with working with cars so I'll just take it to the mechanic to change it for me, I don't wanna mess around and break anything.

 

when the rattleing comes, are you at a higher rmp by any chance?
taking sharp turns?


it would be wierd if your plain driving. kinda hard to configure
as a 1st grade suggestion something might be loose
nuthin like gettin behind the noise to find out what exactly it is though

 

Hey I'm back, haven't taken the car to the mechanic as yet , butI've been listening to the sound, from what I've been hearing it sounds like something is loose, its a kind of sqeek rattle kind a sound very low and distinctive, I ususally hear it at low rpms at about 30mph and at at about 50mph, I don't drive any faster or harder, so if that helps. Also I wanted to know what would be best when I do an oil change, I plan on using sythetic oil, but I am unsure as to which brand would be best, and what would be a good oil filter to use?

 

the light should be pretty easy to change.I have the mp5 but its all the same,you should have to remove the round pop-out covers for the nuts that hold the tail light assembly and remove the whole assembly.then its cake from there.As far as oil,i use Amsoil synthetic with an Amsoil Ea filter.Its really good **** and depending on how hard you drive you can go up to 25,000 miles or 1 year before you need a change.of course i only go about 12,000 but if you want to research it,go to amsoil.com.hope that helps.