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

 

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.

 

It's not a debate if you understand oils, which ones are hygroscopic, etc. No rocket science here. Fluids degrade over time, not just from use. Fluids collect contaminants and metal particles, and moisture. Just make sure you do a fluid/filter swap on the A4, not a power flush.

 

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.

 

 

Gets better every year.....

 

Indeed.

 

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.