# 2004 Toyota Corolla - Decarbonize, or not to decarbonize?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-corolla-decarbonize-or-not-to-decarbonize/150567>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** toyota\
**Created:** [October 12, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-corolla-decarbonize-or-not-to-decarbonize/150567 "2019-10-12T03:47:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jessica25](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jessica25/32/17910_2.png) [@Jessica25](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jessica25)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-corolla-decarbonize-or-not-to-decarbonize/150567/1 "2019-10-12T03:47:27Z")

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I’m thinking of buying my aunt’s car.  
It is a 2004 Toyota Corolla with only  
21,000 miles on it.  
Top speed for her in all the years she’s owned it has probably been 40 but I’d say most of it’s life it’s been driven at 25 MPH.  
I’ve read both views of engine decarbonization and am now totally confused.  
Can you enlighten me on this subject?

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**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 12:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-corolla-decarbonize-or-not-to-decarbonize/150567/2 "2019-10-12T12:32:41Z")

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If it’s running well, don’t go looking for trouble.

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**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 1:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-corolla-decarbonize-or-not-to-decarbonize/150567/3 "2019-10-12T13:47:38Z")

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Why haven’t you bought it yet ?

If it’s running fine, don’t worry about carbon build up.

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**Author:** ![Jessica25](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jessica25/32/17910_2.png) [@Jessica25](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jessica25)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-corolla-decarbonize-or-not-to-decarbonize/150567/4 "2019-10-12T21:40:17Z")

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Thank you!

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 10:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-corolla-decarbonize-or-not-to-decarbonize/150567/5 "2019-10-12T22:54:04Z")

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But I would change all fluids including brake fluid.

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**Author:** ![Jessica25](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jessica25/32/17910_2.png) [@Jessica25](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jessica25)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-corolla-decarbonize-or-not-to-decarbonize/150567/6 "2019-10-13T23:36:24Z")

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Thank you. The car has been regularly serviced since it was bought by our local Toyota dealership.  
I will check the fluids and replace or replenish as needed. Appreciate the reminder.