What's up people,
So I was thinking that my car has a little over 48K miles on it. The dealership told me that I should do a brake and power steering fluid flush. They also told me that it would be 210 EACH !!!! Soooooo I def didn't do it. Had 2 questions : 1. Is this something that I should do ? 2. What other maintenance should I look to do ? I do normal oil changes, but I don't know what I should do other than that. I would really like to have this car for a while and I know maintenance is the way to do so. Thanks in advance.
Maintenance Question
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Ilya
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- Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
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Re: Maintenance Question
I would definitely do those two flushes (as well as the transfer case).
Change your air filter and possibly spark plugs (they don't cost a lot - and if you can do it yourself, doesn't hurt).
I'd also run a can of Seafoam through your gas tank and manifold (see the FAQ link in my signature for a howto).
Top off all other fluids.
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The alternative is to do a 'gradual flush' meaning take a turkey baster and suck out all the fluid from the brake/power steering tanks in the engine bay and refill with new fluid. Do this every other day until ALL of your fluid is nice and clean. That takes forever though.
Change your air filter and possibly spark plugs (they don't cost a lot - and if you can do it yourself, doesn't hurt).
I'd also run a can of Seafoam through your gas tank and manifold (see the FAQ link in my signature for a howto).
Top off all other fluids.
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The alternative is to do a 'gradual flush' meaning take a turkey baster and suck out all the fluid from the brake/power steering tanks in the engine bay and refill with new fluid. Do this every other day until ALL of your fluid is nice and clean. That takes forever though.
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svard75
- Posts: 1564
- Joined: Mon May 11, 2009 3:26 am
- Car: 06 M35x
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Maintenance Question
Is it normal for the fluid reservoir to fill on its own after sucking the old out?
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bluedevil30
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:24 am
- Car: 2009 M35X
265,000 miles - Location: Northern NJ
Re: Maintenance Question
Total scam - those "flushes" aren't in the car manual at all. If the brake fluid is dirty when you get your brakes done they will usually replace it.
Just follow the maintenance manual and you will be fine.
Just follow the maintenance manual and you will be fine.
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Larz
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Re: Maintenance Question
To call that idea a "total scam" is rather harsh, but the problem with alot of peeps who think this way? they're very often right!
If you disregard the advise from the dealer will your power steering unit explode, making your wheels fly off whilst driving at break-neck speeds on the highway? Doubtful. Could the car run forever with the original power steering fluid? Also doubtful.
To my mind, any fluid anywhere on my car must at some point begin to lose the properties and benefits for which it was installed - decreased lubrication, decreased viscosity, etc. I have NOT had my power steering fluid changed, but if you're in doubt - try googling a reliable automotive site that can provide the average lifespan of power steering fluid, recommended change intervals, etc and decide if you're comfortable leaving it unchanged.
As for the brakes, my brake fluid was completely black and felt thick/dirty between my fingers so I had the system flushed and re-filled when the rear brakes were replaced. It was about $100 extra, maybe less and most of that was the cost of the fluid (so I was told).
I would definitely have all the other fluids changed as Ilya recommended - especially if there is no record of it ever being done before you bought the car (assuming you're not the original owner). Otherwise - as bluedevil said - consult the maintenance schedule in your manual.
If you disregard the advise from the dealer will your power steering unit explode, making your wheels fly off whilst driving at break-neck speeds on the highway? Doubtful. Could the car run forever with the original power steering fluid? Also doubtful.
To my mind, any fluid anywhere on my car must at some point begin to lose the properties and benefits for which it was installed - decreased lubrication, decreased viscosity, etc. I have NOT had my power steering fluid changed, but if you're in doubt - try googling a reliable automotive site that can provide the average lifespan of power steering fluid, recommended change intervals, etc and decide if you're comfortable leaving it unchanged.
As for the brakes, my brake fluid was completely black and felt thick/dirty between my fingers so I had the system flushed and re-filled when the rear brakes were replaced. It was about $100 extra, maybe less and most of that was the cost of the fluid (so I was told).
I would definitely have all the other fluids changed as Ilya recommended - especially if there is no record of it ever being done before you bought the car (assuming you're not the original owner). Otherwise - as bluedevil said - consult the maintenance schedule in your manual.