Every driver knows the importance of regular oil checks and replacement. Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, and without it, the engine would cease to operate. Motor oil lubricates important engine parts, helps to regulate temperature, and works to keep your engine parts clean.
What many drivers may not know is that several of their vehicle’s systems also utilize fluids that share a similar purpose as oil does for the engine. While these fluids do not require the aggressive maintenance checks as oil, they do need to be serviced at some point in the lifecycle of the vehicle.
In this month’s blog, we examine system fluids, the importance of performing periodic flushes, and typical fluid replacement timeframes for these four vehicle systems:
- Cooling System
- Brake System
- Transmission
- Power Steering
What is a Fluid Flush?
A fluid flush within any of your vehicle’s systems involves draining out all the existing fluid and replacing it with clean, new fluid. In some instances, a service professional may even inject a cleaner into the system to thoroughly clean the system before adding new fluid.
While every system goes by a different maintenance interval, the purpose of a fluid flush is to increase the longevity of the vehicle by replenishing vital fluids that have picked up dirt, grime, and other contaminants while performing their function.
Cooling System
Your vehicle’s cooling system is the primary way that your vehicle cools the engine during operation. As coolant passes through the hoses within your system, it absorbs the heat from the vehicle and cools the engine. This process is continuous, and so the fluid used in the cooling system, the coolant, is a highly durable fluid subjected to extreme temperatures. Newer coolants are designed to last for five to ten years but that does not mean that a flush should not be done sooner. Dirty or low coolant will not only diminish the performance of your engine but will put it in jeopardy of overheating. If parts are not properly cooled, further damage can result.
The typical timeframe for a coolant flush is about two years, or 30,000 miles driven. If you drive more often, it’s advisable to have it checked when serviced, and consult with a service professional about the need to do a flush.
Brake System
If you have ever experienced a “soft” or “cushiony” feeling when depressing the brake pedal, this was probably the result of air in your brake line. Brake fluid provides the firmness of the brake pedal and controls the hydraulics of your brakes unless it is compromised by air or water in the lines.
Next to your vehicle’s oil, the brake fluid is the next most maintained fluid in your vehicle. Brake fluid plays an important role in keeping your brakes operating effectively, and if ignored, can easily become a safety hazard. Brake fluid tends to attract dirt, grime, and even condensation (water), so it requires periodic flushes to ensure your brakes are 100 percent effective. The typical timeframe for a brake fluid flush is about two years, or between 24,000 – 36,000 miles driven.
Transmission
The fluid within your vehicle’s transmission is a type of oil that can pick up dirt and grime, especially with heavy or frequent driving. Dirty transmission oil will coagulate, and cause clogs, resulting in damage to your transmission. Since your vehicle’s transmission is one of the most expensive components to repair, you want to make sure to keep the fluid clean and flowing. While most vehicle manufacturers advise a fluid flush every 75,000 – 100,000 miles, it is advisable to consider doing a flush closer to the 50,000 miles mark. More frequent flushes of your transmission fluid will help to maintain this hard-working system and keep repair costs down.
Power Steering
Many vehicle owners may go the entire lifecycle of their vehicle without doing a flush of the power steering fluid. However, the power steering fluid is susceptible to both heat and cold and can deteriorate over time. Bad power steering fluid can result in other damages to your vehicle – includes hoses, pumps, and specific seals in the steering system. To avoid problems, it is advisable to have the power steering fluid flushed in the system between 50,000 and 75,000 miles driven.
If you are unsure about any of your vehicle systems and the need for a fluid replacement, talk to our service professionals at Colonial Service Station. We are happy to inspect the primary systems and suggest a maintenance plan that makes sense for your vehicle and driving habits.
Don’t let neglect become a bigger problem for you and make sure to have your fluids examined at regular service intervals to determine if they require replacement.