Changing Fluids?

[ITSSLOW]

How often you guys do it? I got into a drunken discussion last night with a friend of mine and somehow it leaded to maintenance on a car. I want to get a puppy this summer and it led to car maintenance.

Well it turns out her 2001 Cavalier (2.2 auto 2door) she got new on her 16th birthday, 6 years ago, has never had the trans fluid changed and the car has 84k miles on it. Would you guys even change it? I've always been taught going that much over you can do more harm then good. Trans doesnt slip and flip doesnt smell burnt at all (I checked it like 20 minutes ago)

How often and for what fluids. Also, what brans/kinds you run?

Personally I'm anal about this but I'm also an automotive service/management.

Fluids depend on the car considering I do so many but my rule of thumb is...

Oil - Grand Marquis 4,000 (90% of driving is highway) with dyno oil, 3,000 in toys with synblend

Trans Fluid (auto or manual) - 50k with whatever it calls for, and always a trans filter and full flush, Toys every spring.

Rear gear fluid - 50k on DD, Toys every spring with synthetic

Coolant Flush/Thermostat change - 50k on DD, Toys every spring

Brake Fluid - Every spring just for $#!ts and giggles

Power Steering (yes I actually change it) - Once again every spring

I'm probably really anal but I'm just me I guess. I'd rather drop $200 in fluids/parts and have a safe, warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Plus I like to really look at the fluids for metal chunks, colors, smells, and feel.

[JoeliusZ28]

everything but engine oil do as i see it needs. I keep an eye on stuff.

Engine oil I use mobil 1 in my truck and my camaro. I also use Lucas Oil Stabilizer (helps on cold starts) and nothing but WIX filters. I change the truck every 3500 and Ive changed the camaro every 3000 but im gonna start changing that more often, it gets driven harder.

[DanO]

you have to change fluids? since when?


Anyways, i always change my washer fluild every 2,000 miles or 2 months.. whichever comes first..

[kammi10]

basically im with joel on this one. if i see it shoudl use a change i swap it but oil i do every 2500 expecially inthe camaro with the new motor

[Orange Terror]

you have to change fluids? since when?


Anyways, i always change my washer fluild every 2,000 miles or 2 months.. whichever comes first..

I change my oil in the Camaro twice a year, once in the spring and once in late july early august. I run Royal Purple and WIX or K&N oil filters only now ( I was running fram till I found out how much they suck.) I too like Joel run Lucas Oil Stabilizer, It's made a difference in startup on every motor I've put it in. I also keep an eye on all my fluids. I changed the trans fluid and filter right after I bought it with the first oil change. I changed the differential fluid last spring at 67k. Figured it was time, that got Royal Purple as well (I love that stuff, worth every penny). Everything else I've just kept an eye on.

My DD gets Mobil 1 full synthetic. Seeing as the recommended oil change intervals are 7500 from the factory with dino oil, I change the synthetic at 6000 miles. Been doing this for years with synthetic, no problems yet. Again running WIX or STP filter. I also run about half a quart of Lucas in this too. I haven't changed the tranny fluid yet but I'm closing in on 100k so that will happen soon. However, its a manual and it's always shifted fine so I haven't had any reason to worry.

I guess my thought is while I think you are maybe going a little overboard changing all that stuff every spring, I also think it can't hurt anything and agree that its a great way to check the status of your car. Vehicles are an investment and taking care of them should be a top priority. However we all know that doesn't happen with most. People just use and abuse them. What a waste of money. Anyway, I'd change the fluid in that car, it's getting up there.

[ITSSLOW]

I guess my thought is while I think you are maybe going a little overboard changing all that stuff every spring, I also think it can't hurt anything and agree that its a great way to check the status of your car. Vehicles are an investment and taking care of them should be a top priority. However we all know that doesn't happen with most. People just use and abuse them. What a waste of money.

Exactly why I do it. The $500 I put in my cars a year in maintenance parts to me is well worth it when ignoring them could lead to a $2000 trans, $3000+ engine, or a brake failure.

Anyway, I'd change the fluid in that car, it's getting up there.

Think 94,000 isn't to late to do the FIRST trans fluid and filter change? I've heard from alot of people that if they havent been cracked open for that many miles the new fluid can actually break loose crunks of crud and clog things like pistions and solenoids. Maybe new fluid is acidic before it starts to break down??

[pHEnomIC]

I agree with joel, i just check things and change as i feel necessary. I change the fluids right away when i get a car just so i know there is good stuff in there.

Oil: 3,000 miles
Trans/Rearend/Brakes/Steering: Maybe 15,000 miles
Washer fluid: Never, i just don't use the stuff.

[Orange Terror]

Think 94,000 isn't to late to do the FIRST trans fluid and filter change? I've heard from alot of people that if they havent been cracked open for that many miles the new fluid can actually break loose crunks of crud and clog things like pistions and solenoids. Maybe new fluid is acidic before it starts to break down??

Oh I agree, but the alternative is to just keep letting it go. If it where me I'd change it, run it a couple thousand miles then do it again. Should be fine. Yeah, I can maybe see new fluid doing that, cause tranny fluid is full of detergents to keep things clean. So it could. Did you know that if you don't have any hand cleaner you can acutally use tranny fluid (unused) to clean your hands? Buddy of mine does it all the time, I've had to once in awhile.

[ITSSLOW]

Did you know that if you don't have any hand cleaner you can acutally use tranny fluid (unused) to clean your hands? Buddy of mine does it all the time, I've had to once in awhile.

Wow, thats pretty cool. Did you know if you have grease stains in yours pants you can spray WD-40 on the paints to activate the grease remove it then you use orange, pump, hand cleaner to get the WD-40 out? Works better then any of those things you can buy in the store. Oh, and you have to do it before you was the pants. It doesnt work so hot if the stain has been in there for like 6 months and washed 15 times.

[Orange Terror]

Wow, thats pretty cool. Did you know if you have grease stains in yours pants you can spray WD-40 on the paints to activate the grease remove it then you use orange, pump, hand cleaner to get the WD-40 out? Works better then any of those things you can buy in the store. Oh, and you have to do it before you was the pants. It doesnt work so hot if the stain has been in there for like 6 months and washed 15 times.

Yeah because then the grease/oil is already gone and isn't there to lift the dirt out and you are stuck with embedded dirt!!! Good tip, I may have to use that.

Did you also know that WD-40 will take away arthritis pain? I saw an older guy that was a mechanic spray it all over his hands once and then rub it in as he was talking to me. He told me that it completely relieved his arthritis pain in his hands!!!!

[ITSSLOW]

Did you also know that WD-40 will take away arthritis pain? I saw an older guy that was a mechanic spray it all over his hands once and then rub it in as he was talking to me. He told me that it completely relieved his arthritis pain in his hands!!!!

Also, a good lubricant in a pinch *wink wink*

[Orange Terror]

Also, a good lubricant in a pinch *wink wink*

I'm gonna leave that one alone, while I'm sure it is, I can't believe that's a good idea, lol.

[ITSSLOW]

I'm gonna leave that one alone, while I'm sure it is, I can't believe that's a good idea, lol.

Yeah sure, works great on rusted bolts, corrosion, squeaky hindges, latches, etc......get your mind out of the gutter!

[zspot98]

Trans fluid is also a good alternative to buying power steering fluid.

[Orange Terror]

Trans fluid is also a good alternative to buying power steering fluid.

Yep, I've used it many many times for that. Cheaper.