BiggieFries Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Whenever I get my oil changed the guys that work there always try to upsell some other service such as coolant flush. How important are these? Here's what Da Man is always trying to sell me: Coolant flush Change automatic tranny fluid Some break fluid service Blinker fluid I already do the normal things like change oil/filter, tires, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefjay Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 (edited) Whenever I get my oil changed the guys that work there always try to upsell some other service such as coolant flush. How important are these? Here's what Da Man is always trying to sell me: Coolant flush Change automatic tranny fluid Some break fluid service Blinker fluid I already do the normal things like change oil/filter, tires, etc. You know the place I go to is pretty good about telling me accurate information. I know my 03 needs a coolant change, light's been coming on and off for a while and the very next time I took it in for an oil change he said I should get my coolant changed which I will do. I'm at 90k in miles so I know it needs it. When I took my 04 Van in to the same place with significantly less miles on it and thus may not need the coolant flush he didn't even mention it but on both cars he mentioned the gas filter. He did not mention the air filter on either which I had recently changed. So that alone makes me feel good about the info they provide. Obviously every place and person is different. Bottom line is you have to know your car a little bit to know what's BS and what's not. Blinker fluid is a must though, can't operate the blinkers without good fluid. Edited March 11, 2008 by chiefjay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furd Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Blinker fluid is a must though, can't operating the blinkers without good fluid. Well, the reservoir for the blinker fluid is adjacent to the Fetzer valve, so you'll want to hire a professional to change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furd Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 (edited) With respect to the other stuff, your owner's manual should tell you how often to flush the radiator and change the transmission fluid. If it says never with respect to the latter, ignore it. It depends on how you drive and driving condition. if I had an automtic transmission, I'd probably change it every 30k or so, depending on a variety of factors. It might say something about the brake fluid. You can't tell if the brake fluid is good by looking at it. I've seen different recommendations as to when you should replace it. 40k. 70k. More. Less. The only thing that I would have done at a 10 minute oil change place is changing the oil and oil filter. Edited March 11, 2008 by Furd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chappy Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 (edited) Whenever I get my oil changed the guys that work there always try to upsell some other service such as coolant flush. How important are these? Here's what Da Man is always trying to sell me: Coolant flush Change automatic tranny fluid Some break fluid service Blinker fluid I already do the normal things like change oil/filter, tires, etc. Most of that stuff is BS if the car is new or has low mileage. The blinker fluid, now that's funny stuff. The normal stuff you do is all you need to do. The rest is just an attempt to rake you over the coals. Now there is a time to do the coolant flush and tranny fluid change just not every time you get an OC. And the break fluid service is BS too. Edited March 11, 2008 by Chappy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 The newer coolants are supposed to be changed every 100k. You may not have this type of coolant. ATF fluid should be changed every 30k. I get mined completely flushed out and filled and I go 50k between changes. I also use a synthetic motor oil and filter and go 10k between those changes. As far as the brake fluid, I siphon the old stuff out of the master and fill every year. IMO, no need for a complete flush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 i bleive Puddy has transmission fluid , lube oil , coolant in his medicine cabinet so i beleive he is best person to ask paging Puddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Thread for a car parts catalog for items like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbimm Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 With respect to the other stuff, your owner's manual should tell you how often to flush the radiator and change the transmission fluid. If it says never with respect to the latter, ignore it. It depends on how you drive and driving condition. if I had an automtic transmission, I'd probably change it every 30k or so, depending on a variety of factors. It might say something about the brake fluid. You can't tell if the brake fluid is good by looking at it. I've seen different recommendations as to when you should replace it. 40k. 70k. More. Less. The only thing that I would have done at a 10 minute oil change place is changing the oil and oil filter. Very good info here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 On my Hondas at least, those sorts of things are only done like every 30k or so. There should be a maintenance schedule in your car manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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