Advice - fluid changes?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
Advice - fluid changes?
I have an '07 PT Cruiser convertible (my dd). It has just over 70K miles on the odometer. It has been a very faithful vehicle because I do scheduled maintenance. But I ran into a situation the other day, while having an oil change/tire rotation done at a local GY.
The Mgr. comes up to me and says my car is in "great shape" but asks me when/if the brake/power steering fluids have ever been changed? I said never. He then tells me it is a "manufacturer's requirement" that they be changed every 60K miles. Well, I was a bit dumbfounded because I do read my owners' manual and it says no such thing. So, of course, I took out my manual and confirm with him that he is wrong. So then he says I really should do this maintenance. Still sounds fishy to me. I leave and call my local Mopar dealership and they basically tell me the same thing (not necessary).
Any other mechanics out there that have an opinion on this, it would greatly be appreciated? Do keep in mind, I get that the coolant needs changing (which I'm due soon). Also, because my automatic tranny is a sealed system (Chrysler/Mercedes tranny, I've been told), it does not need to be changed. Thanks, in advance.
The Mgr. comes up to me and says my car is in "great shape" but asks me when/if the brake/power steering fluids have ever been changed? I said never. He then tells me it is a "manufacturer's requirement" that they be changed every 60K miles. Well, I was a bit dumbfounded because I do read my owners' manual and it says no such thing. So, of course, I took out my manual and confirm with him that he is wrong. So then he says I really should do this maintenance. Still sounds fishy to me. I leave and call my local Mopar dealership and they basically tell me the same thing (not necessary).
Any other mechanics out there that have an opinion on this, it would greatly be appreciated? Do keep in mind, I get that the coolant needs changing (which I'm due soon). Also, because my automatic tranny is a sealed system (Chrysler/Mercedes tranny, I've been told), it does not need to be changed. Thanks, in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Absolutely, the brake and power steering fluid should be changed every so often. I use a turkey baster to remove the power steering fluid (and then add enough to fill) every 5 years or so and then the following year or less. Brake fluid retains water so it should be flushed at every pad change or every 5 years at the most.
Sealed auto tranny fluid? I would never let an auto tranny go more than 30,000 miles (cars older than the mid 2000s) and don't believe in 100,000 changes.
Sealed auto tranny fluid? I would never let an auto tranny go more than 30,000 miles (cars older than the mid 2000s) and don't believe in 100,000 changes.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
Absolutely, the brake and power steering fluid should be changed every so often. I use a turkey baster to remove the power steering fluid (and then add enough to fill) every 5 years or so and then the following year or less. Brake fluid retains water so it should be flushed at every pad change or every 5 years at the most.
Sealed auto tranny fluid? I would never let an auto tranny go more than 30,000 miles (cars older than the mid 2000s) and don't believe in 100,000 changes.
Sealed auto tranny fluid? I would never let an auto tranny go more than 30,000 miles (cars older than the mid 2000s) and don't believe in 100,000 changes.
According to my owners manual, the auto tranny is sealed (for life), so no changes are necessary. I've checked this out with many mechanics and apparently this is a Mercedes/Chrysler hybrid auto tranny (it works like new, actually).
It's interesting and noteworthy you believe in flushing/changing these fluids. I understand your logic, since both brake & ps fluids would probably attract moisture over time. But I would use the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" logic for both fluid systems, relative to changing. Maybe that is why my owners manual doesn't call for either of these? Fyi, I did replace the pads/rotors at around 50K miles. But I am noticing a bit of soft "whine" in the ps mechanism. If it's going to fail, it would be a bit wasteful to replace the fluid now? Or do you believe if I flush & replace this fluid, it would buy me more time with the present ps mechanism?
Thanks again.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
^
Hahahaaa.. Yea mercedes use to do the lifetime BS till their trans started blowing up under warranty. Now I think its 38k? My E350 has less than 45k on it and it already has problems.
But I agree the trans fluid should at least get a drain and fill every 30k.
Hahahaaa.. Yea mercedes use to do the lifetime BS till their trans started blowing up under warranty. Now I think its 38k? My E350 has less than 45k on it and it already has problems.
But I agree the trans fluid should at least get a drain and fill every 30k.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
Truth be told, I have just over 70K miles on this tranny and it works fine (just like it did when it was new). I've heard lots of older Chrysler trannies and most of them make a "rattling" noise when they come to a complete stop, just before they give out. Mine hasn't/doesn't do that.
While I don't doubt the validity of draining/changing other auto tranny fluids, I see no need to do mine. But I do thank you for your comments.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
Thanks for your inputs.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Thanks for this info.
According to my owners manual, the auto tranny is sealed (for life), so no changes are necessary. I've checked this out with many mechanics and apparently this is a Mercedes/Chrysler hybrid auto tranny (it works like new, actually).
It's interesting and noteworthy you believe in flushing/changing these fluids. I understand your logic, since both brake & ps fluids would probably attract moisture over time. But I would use the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" logic for both fluid systems, relative to changing. Maybe that is why my owners manual doesn't call for either of these? Fyi, I did replace the pads/rotors at around 50K miles. But I am noticing a bit of soft "whine" in the ps mechanism. If it's going to fail, it would be a bit wasteful to replace the fluid now? Or do you believe if I flush & replace this fluid, it would buy me more time with the present ps mechanism?
Thanks again.
According to my owners manual, the auto tranny is sealed (for life), so no changes are necessary. I've checked this out with many mechanics and apparently this is a Mercedes/Chrysler hybrid auto tranny (it works like new, actually).
It's interesting and noteworthy you believe in flushing/changing these fluids. I understand your logic, since both brake & ps fluids would probably attract moisture over time. But I would use the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" logic for both fluid systems, relative to changing. Maybe that is why my owners manual doesn't call for either of these? Fyi, I did replace the pads/rotors at around 50K miles. But I am noticing a bit of soft "whine" in the ps mechanism. If it's going to fail, it would be a bit wasteful to replace the fluid now? Or do you believe if I flush & replace this fluid, it would buy me more time with the present ps mechanism?
Thanks again.
I once spoke to the manager of an all-German auto shop about the extended oil change intervals BMW, Mercedes and others recommend. He told me that he has had to replace many of their transmissions because the owner would believe the "every 15,000 mile" oil change intervals. The engines, he told me, were full of sludge because the owners didn't drive often or far, producing a breeding ground for sludge.
Sadly, many car owners who sell their cars before any maintenance (lack of) issues arrive, simply trade the car in to a dealership. This is why I buy my used cars from private owners. I can get a good feel for how well the car will hold up just by asking the right questions. If I'm buying an auto tranny car and the owner tells me he or she has never had the coolant, tranny fluid, or brake fluid changed and the car has more than, say, 80,000 miles, I walk away.
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Melting Slicks
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Fyi, I did replace the pads/rotors at around 50K miles. But I am noticing a bit of soft "whine" in the ps mechanism. If it's going to fail, it would be a bit wasteful to replace the fluid now? Or do you believe if I flush & replace this fluid, it would buy me more time with the present ps mechanism?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
I also change my fluid based on age as well. I have a low mileage vette that although I don't put many miles on it, I still change these fluids (power steering, brake and anti-freeze) every couple of years regardless of miles. An ounce ($) of prevention is worth a pound ($$$$) of cure!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
There are a lot of car manufactures that have recommended power steering change intervals that are documented in their manuals (most are around 50,000 - 60,000 miles. A good rule of thumb that I follow is to monitor the color of this fluid. As you put miles on your car that fluid will start to discolor from heat generated by the pumps internal components and pick-up contaminants. The soft whine could be signs of your pump starting to go bad or that your current fluid is not lubricating as well as it use to when it was new. I would spend a few bucks now and replace your fluid rather than wait for the noise to get worse or your pump to fail.
I also change my fluid based on age as well. I have a low mileage vette that although I don't put many miles on it, I still change these fluids (power steering, brake and anti-freeze) every couple of years regardless of miles. An ounce ($) of prevention is worth a pound ($$$$) of cure!!!
I also change my fluid based on age as well. I have a low mileage vette that although I don't put many miles on it, I still change these fluids (power steering, brake and anti-freeze) every couple of years regardless of miles. An ounce ($) of prevention is worth a pound ($$$$) of cure!!!
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
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From: Woodlands TX
I have over 130,000 miles on my 07 Vet and like to change all the fluids & filters every 30,000 miles or every March. Is it needed? No, but I like to do it anyways. I bought the car with 2 miles off the show room and plan on keeping it for many many years.