Replacing Fluids

[jake75]

I read in a recent WStJ auto column that transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid should be replaced at 3-5 years and every two years after that. Seems excessive.

[keithvibe]

two wordsMoisture/breakdown like the Nike ad "Just do It"

[engineertwin2]

My philosophy with fluids is that they are almost as simple to drain and replace as it is to rotate tires. It never hurts to replace them more often than recommended, so you shouldn't freak out about it being "excessive".To add to keithvibe's comment, it's heat and moisture that cause breakdown. For the most part, the savings are negligible compared to the damages that can be incurred if the fluid breaks down.

[Caretaker]

wow, that is totally excesive. I'm not sure you could even find a crooked mechanic that would recommend that schedule. Fluid breakdown???? OK, let's see a show of hands..... how many people have had a mechanical failure due to fluid breakdown??? I'm not saying it isn't real. I'm saying the schedule that was posted here is a needless drain on your wallet.

[ColonelPanic]

I have never replaced brake or power steering fluid... Nor have I had any issues. That's not to say that it couldn't be a problem, it's just not been an issue for me. Transmission fluid, yes - change that stuff even if the mfg. says it lasts forever. Although if you wait too long to change the fluid, you might as well leave the old junk in there as you'll be buying a new transmission shortly after it gets fresh fluid circulating inside it.

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I read in a recent WStJ auto column that transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid should be replaced at 3-5 years and every two years after that. Seems excessive.I agree. I have an '87 Chevy Nova (Corolla clone) with 250,000 miles which has never had any of the mentioned fluids changed. Based on their recommendation it should have had about 10 changes by now and if I had had them done at a dealer it would have cost me a few thousand dollars. But AFAICT, the car runs fine and has suffered no ill effects from these fluids getting a little older. All are in contained systems where there shouldn't be much intrusion by moisture, nor do they run very hot (the brake fluid can, but I use the brakes sparingly).

[keithvibe]

true it may be a sealed system... but ever hear of condensation? look at your overflow containers. they are not filled to the top so there is air in there.

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »true it may be a sealed system... but ever hear of condensation? look at your overflow containers. they are not filled to the top so there is air in there.Yes, maybe about 10 ml worth. Now do you care to figure out how much water that much air can hold? (It's not much even at 100% humidity and we live in a very dry climate.) The caps aren't completely airtight, but they are designed to keep any air transfer to a minimum

[keithvibe]

ok.. fine leave it in there see if i care. it's apparent how you feel about it.. the saying goes, "nothing lasts forever"I will agree to disagree with you.

[ou.grizzly]

Does a system that is sealed really have moisture in it, what would the time line be and how long does it take for it to break down to create moisture or does it absorb it? I know a container of brake fluid is only so long because it ABSORBS moisture from the air, but the system itself is sealed. Unless you are changing and bleed the brakes, add new fluid, and etc. But even then, the cap to the reservoir has a gasket/seal on it. Exposure to the atmosphere for 5 minutes really going to absorbed that much? Shift from old technology on power steering to the new system?

[pljenkins]

The Brake system isn't "truly" sealed, but for purposes of moisture intrusion, it's negligible, provided you don't get into the habit of popping the cover to peer inside exposing the fluid to new air or drive around with the hood off exposing it to sunlight. There's a reason why the brake fluid container in your car is opaque, and it's so you don't have to keep opening the darn thing to see the level!Yes, eventually it's a good idea to change all the fluids in your car, but I can't see a reason to change the brake fluid of a properly maintained brake system "just because".There are clues as to when it's time to change the fluid. Popping a caliper off the system for whatever reason necessitating a bleed would be a good time (exposure to atmosphere, mixing of old and new fluid), if the brakes change in feel or effectiveness (water in the fluid, making it more "compressible"), or obvious damage to the system (leak, change in fluid color, overheat). Beyond this, screwing with it might just introduce problems that weren't there to begin with.Just my opinion...

[jamesmetairie]

is it true that changing fliud on a 2003 vibe for the first time at 90,000 miles would be a death sentence for the transmission? i,m having nightmares about the $4000.rebuilt transmissions.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by jamesmetairie »is it true that changing fliud on a 2003 vibe for the first time at 90,000 miles would be a death sentence for the transmission? i,m having nightmares about the $4000.rebuilt transmissions.I will have changed mine 3 times in the time frame. LOLLeaving the burnt or old fluid is worse than switching. change it asap.I personally have changed out all the fluids on my wife's car that is 8years old during the summer and every fluid was black, brake fluid, power steering, cooling(although that wasn't black it did need be be changed along with all the hoses). I did the transmission last year and that was brown-ish and her car had less than 50,000miles on it.50-100bucks worth of fluids and 8-10hrs of your time *to flush all fluids* is better than 4000.oo+ of possible damage.Your choice.

[jamesmetairie]

i also have a 98 lumina. on another forum 99% of the guys swear if you late change tranny fluid it,s garanteed to need a tranny in a few short months. the old fluid acts as a kind of sealant. we bought the vibe pre-owned with 70k+ miles on it.

[bodhi_tree777]

Quote, originally posted by jamesmetairie »i also have a 98 lumina. on another forum 99% of the guys swear if you late change tranny fluid it,s garanteed to need a tranny in a few short months. the old fluid acts as a kind of sealant. we bought the vibe pre-owned with 70k+ miles on it. i'm definitely no expert, but that sounds hinky to me. If your transmission is going to fail it's going to fail. I don't see how keeping your old funky fluid in there will prevent that. I understand the logic behind it, mind you, and I've heard the same about oil (switching from reg to synth) but I'm of the opinion that if you're not changing your fluids because you're afraid you'll spring a leak somewhere that you're just delaying the inevitable. I may put this theory to the test, as I have a 90 VW that I'm restoring and the fluids in that beast are getting swapped out pretty soon. It's got 226k miles on the clock.I guess I'd rather have good fluid, functioning properly, and if a seal or something is going to bust then so be it. $4000 sounds steep for a trannie rebuild, by the way. I'm sure you could find one used for much cheaper.

[ColonelPanic]

$4,000 for a rebuild is pretty steep... When the transmission went out on my Vibe it was something like $4,000 (in parts) new at the dealer.

[kunkstyle]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »$4,000 for a rebuild is pretty steep...That's exactly what I was thinking. Glad this thread popped up. Reminded me that mine is due for some fluid changing this summer.

[keithvibe]

not if your going to the dealer for the rebuild and when i said 4k i was talking all components in the engine that use fluids, brakes, steering, trans, transfer cases... ect.BUT i can see how some though I was talking trans alone being the question was for the trans alone.

[kunkstyle]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »when i said 4k i was talking all components in the engine that use fluids, brakes, steering, trans, transfer cases... ect.I was going off of jamesmetairie's price estimate. 4k for all fluid components sounds about right. @ Kieth : How often do you usually change the fluids? (with exception of oil)

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by kunkstyle »@ Keith : How often do you usually change the fluids? (with exception of oil)Because I am lowered now once a year in my car. I would rather spend 60-100bucks on piece of mind.which is about 10-12 thousand miles