Draining versus Flushing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 488
Likes: 2
From: Fort Lauderdale Florida
Draining versus Flushing
Just had some work done on my car at the dealership and based on the number of miles that I have (100K+) he recommended that I have all my fluids flushed. Although I change more fluids regularly, I never 'flushed' anything.
Is this just semantics or is there a significant difference?
VETSTYL
Is this just semantics or is there a significant difference?
VETSTYL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
You will get a lot of different opinion on this forum. This is my opinion and others may not agree. Your profile does not say if you have a manual tranny or automatic. If you are running an automatic trans, I would recommend you have your transmission flushed every 2 years or 24K mi. Flushing a trans using equipment such as the machine made by BG products will flush all the fluid out of the trans and torque converter whereas a simple drain and re-fill will only change about 1/3 to 1/2 the fluid. With over 100K mi on your car, I would get the shop to evaluate your trans fluid before flushing. If it is nice and pink and looks new, I think you would be okay. IF it is brown or smell of varnish, leave it alone. Flushing it now will kill the tranny.
I also recommend flushing for your power steering and cooling systems. BG makes flush equipment for these systems as well. If you are running Dexcool coolant, you can go 4 - 5 years before needing a flush. I would flush the PS every 3 years or so. Brake fluid can be changed using a power bleeder and should be changed annually or at least every 2 years. Good luck with it.
I also recommend flushing for your power steering and cooling systems. BG makes flush equipment for these systems as well. If you are running Dexcool coolant, you can go 4 - 5 years before needing a flush. I would flush the PS every 3 years or so. Brake fluid can be changed using a power bleeder and should be changed annually or at least every 2 years. Good luck with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Flushing fluids like in the automatic transmission can be good if you do it regularly. However, if you wait too long, it can actually end up causing problems by breaking loose old deposits.
but it don't hurt to flush the cooling system
