settle debate
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: White Heath Ill
settle debate
hello, i have a 2001 coupe with auto trans.,. car has 52000 miles and has no problems. Friends are telling me to change the auto trans fluid, brake fluid and rear diff fluid. I have always gone with if it aint broke dont mess with it.... are my friends right, or am i.,.,. thanks
Pro
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 670
Likes: 358
From: Windsor, CT
I do not believe you will find a specific answer, but instead you will receive a lot of strong opinions one way or another. On the one hand, your owners manual specifically will state mile specific intervals at which points fluids should be serviced. On the other hand these fluids are potentially 20 years old and quite possibly have deteriorated.
Car manufacturers in recent years have stopped putting only miles driven as estimates for fluid changes, but also add time intervals as well.
Brake fluid is one that should be freshened up every several years at minumum. Brake fluid absorbs moisture, and as air tight as the system is, after 20 years you can bet it has accumulated moisture. Not only does this lessen braking performance over time, but it facilitate the lines and other braking components to corrode from the inside out. I have seen old brake fluid cause failures on a 1999 Chevy Express van (My dads) and on a 2001 Blazer that I owned. These vehicles are not that much older than yours. Brake fluid is easy to check, if the fluid in your reservoir is dark, and not transparent like water, then it's time to change.
As for my opinion, I vote for fresh fluids. Add coolant to your list and flush out your power steering as well.
Car manufacturers in recent years have stopped putting only miles driven as estimates for fluid changes, but also add time intervals as well.
Brake fluid is one that should be freshened up every several years at minumum. Brake fluid absorbs moisture, and as air tight as the system is, after 20 years you can bet it has accumulated moisture. Not only does this lessen braking performance over time, but it facilitate the lines and other braking components to corrode from the inside out. I have seen old brake fluid cause failures on a 1999 Chevy Express van (My dads) and on a 2001 Blazer that I owned. These vehicles are not that much older than yours. Brake fluid is easy to check, if the fluid in your reservoir is dark, and not transparent like water, then it's time to change.
As for my opinion, I vote for fresh fluids. Add coolant to your list and flush out your power steering as well.
Last edited by Markolc1981; Jul 31, 2024 at 01:58 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,170
From: Dyer, IN
hello, i have a 2001 coupe with auto trans.,. car has 52000 miles and has no problems. Friends are telling me to change the auto trans fluid, brake fluid and rear diff fluid. I have always gone with if it aint broke dont mess with it.... are my friends right, or am i.,.,. thanks
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 486
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
If that stuff has not been changed in 23 years I side with your friends. Whenever I get a used car that is 10 years or older, I change the fluids. Have not had any issues due to this level of maintenance....better to be safe than sorry.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
hello, i have a 2001 coupe with auto trans.,. car has 52000 miles and has no problems. Friends are telling me to change the auto trans fluid, brake fluid and rear diff fluid. I have always gone with if it aint broke dont mess with it.... are my friends right, or am i.,.,. thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 4,359
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I flush my brake fluid and clutch fluid every year. Even then, it has color by the next cycle. Hydraulics seem to lap up moisture and find every speck of dirt.
Coolant should last a few years, but a shop can test it while they change the engine oil. Definitely change your differential oil annd and trans fluid. Like mentioned above, do not have it power flushed, just pull the pan put in a new filter and fill it. Every other year, or when it isn’t translucent, is a good schedule.
Coolant should last a few years, but a shop can test it while they change the engine oil. Definitely change your differential oil annd and trans fluid. Like mentioned above, do not have it power flushed, just pull the pan put in a new filter and fill it. Every other year, or when it isn’t translucent, is a good schedule.
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