# 1995 Ford Econline - keeping in good running condition?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-ford-econline-keeping-in-good-running-condition/72058>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** e250, ford\
**Created:** [April 22, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-ford-econline-keeping-in-good-running-condition/72058 "2012-04-22T22:20:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Doggone-GA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/35a633/32.png) [@Doggone-GA](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Doggone-GA)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-ford-econline-keeping-in-good-running-condition/72058/1 "2012-04-22T22:20:51Z")

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I have a 1995 Ford Econline E-250 that I have had since it rolled off the factory floor. It has about 225,000 miles on it. I don’t use it much any more, but I want to keep it in good running condition - because I do use it occasionally. I had it checked out, nose to tail, and the only thing the mechanic found that needed to be fixed was that it need new ball joints and an ABS switch. I have had that work done.

My question is this: how often, how far, and at what speed should I plan to drive it to keep it in good running condition?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-ford-econline-keeping-in-good-running-condition/72058/2 "2012-04-22T23:23:29Z")

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If I were you, I would do the following:

> Connect a battery tender to the battery to keep it charged.  
> In good weather, take it out on the highway for a moderate-speed (45-50 mph) drive of about 45-60 minutes once a month–after checking tire pressure, oil level, trans fluid level, etc. And then, make sure that you change the oil at least once a year. Twice would be better.  
> Continue to maintain the vehicle–using elapsed time rather than odometer mileage–as your key to when to perform each maintenance function. For example–if the factory maintenance schedule says something like…every 3 years or 30,000 miles…make sure that you use 3 years as your guide.

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**Author:** ![Doggone-GA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/35a633/32.png) [@Doggone-GA](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Doggone-GA)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-ford-econline-keeping-in-good-running-condition/72058/3 "2012-04-24T02:54:14Z")

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Thanks! That’s definitely doable!