03/22/2019
Vehicle Fluid Flushes
The bottom line about vehicle flushes is that it all comes down to how long you want your vehicle to last. All fluids have a life span. If your vehicle was purchased brand new and is less than 3 years old or below 30,000 miles, you more than likely will not receive a return on investment with having your vehicle’s systems flushed. But, if your vehicle is older then 3yrs or has more then 30,000 mile or you purchased a pre-owned or used vehicle and don’t know if it was properly maintained you should definitely have your fluids checked to determine if the fluids need to be flushed or changed at all.
In many cases, vehicle owners are not aware that their vehicle contains a lot of fluid in it besides oil. These fluids are for the transmission, engine cooling (coolant), power steering fluid, brake fluid, fuel injection systems, transfer cases and rear-differential flush. It’s important that you take care of all the fluids in your vehicle, to ensure the operational longevity of your vehicle to ensure you receive the biggest return on investment with your vehicle purchase and the maintenance of it with these fluid flushes.
A fluid flush is the process of ‘flushing’ out all the bad fluid that is at end-of-life, sludgy, contains containments, or just either clogging your system or not performing the way the fluid should be for the system it is operating within, in your vehicle. If you don’t know if the fluids have been flushed in your vehicle. Relax. It’s okay. We just recommend you schedule an appointment to have your fluids inspected and to determine if you need a fluid flush, which you more than likely will if your vehicle has high miles with no fluid flushes being completed through the life of the vehicle.
Types of Vehicle Flushes
Transmission Flush
We recommend having your transmission fluid flushed every 30,000-60,000 miles and ensure that the transmission filter (most vehicles) is changed during this flush as well. Automakers may have the recommendation of around the 75,000-100,000 mile mark to have this service completed. However, transmission fluid is actually an oil, and like any oil it breaks down after awhile. With transmissions and their costly repair, we recommend to error on the side of caution since the transmission flush cost is quite a bit less than a full transmission repair!
Engine Cooling (Coolant/Anti-Freeze) Flush
This is a combination recommendation as vehicles 2011 and newer are using 5-year to 10-year coolant/antifreeze, greatly reducing the need for an engine coolant flush from the ordinary antifreeze. However, we are ‘weary’ of the 5-year to 10-year claim and still think you should check the quality of the fluid over the miles and is why we still recommend getting your fluids checked every 30,000-35,000 miles as it can also determine if something is wrong with the system before something major happens.
Power Steering Flush
Many automakers claim that this fluid can last for a ‘lifetime’ but power steering systems are exposed to engine bay heat and sub-zero winter temperatures that can breakdown the consistency of the fluid and could slowly damage and erode the steering gear seals, pump and/or hoses that can eventually lead to failure. Therefore, we recommend a power steering fluid service flush every 50,000-75,000 miles.
Brake Fluid Flush
This is an important fluid for your vehicle as it’s the reason you can stop your vehicle. But, many automakers seldom have a recommended replacement interval for brake fluid. However, we recommend to have your brake fluid checked because brake fluid addresses the reduction of the water content in the fluid, as with the age of the brake fluid water can be introduced into the brake system via condensation. Brake fluid should be clear or translucent, if the fluid is rust-colored it means that moisture has or is getting into the system and a flush is needed, if the brake fluid is black or burnt smelling, contact a mechanic immediately as your brake system is failing!
Fuel-Injection Flush
We all know the importance of gas mileage, and having a dirty fuel system can prevent you from reaching your vehicles optimal gas mileage performance. That’s why you should get a fuel system cleaning every 30,000-35,000 miles and this done by a Technician utilizing specialized equipment that hooks up to the fuel rail to clean the injector screens, Injector tips as well as the engine valves and combustion chamber. A separate cleaning is done on the intake manifold, throttle body and IAC.
Rear-Differential Flush
This is one of the most overlooked maintenance flushes for all rear-wheel drive vehicles. In a rear-wheel-drive vehicle the rear-differential has its own lubrication and keeping all the moving parts in the rear-differential healthy prevents ‘slipping’ or complete wear down that would require full replacement of the rear-differential which is not a cheap repair. We recommend changing this oil at least every 30,000-35,000 miles and should not really exceed 50,000 miles.
Vehicle Flush Conclusion
Lastly, if you need more convincing, here are a few more reasons why automotive fluid flushes are important:
• Odds are your vehicle is worth significantly less now compared to when you bought it. If you financed it and don’t have money saved for a down payment on a newer vehicle, you’ll be driving it until your loan is paid in full or even after your loan is paid off;
• Any system that uses fluid will need a flush, that means transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid – they’re all different, and just like everything else in this world, it wears out and needs replacing;
• These are major systems and are EXPENSIVE to replace;
Finally just remember, that all these system flushes don’t really cost much to ensure your vehicle is being maintained to remain at optimal performance. Schedule your appointment today to have your fluids checked and/or flushed!
