To Flush or Not to Flush That is the Question
It seems many of you take advantage of the convenience of the common "Quickie Lube" type shops for your regular oil services. They advertise that you can pull right in and the kids will scurry around doing whatever it is they do and before you know it you are on your way. Then the inevitable visit to the waiting area by the worker or check in person comes to tell you that some kind of extra thingy or flush is needed or you and your family will have to wash windows at the intersection you stalled at to pay for the tow back to the shop. So the question is: "How do I know for sure I even need the thingy or flush they are selling me?" Is this flush something my car needs or is it a "wallet flush" that makes me feel like I did something good for my car but merely lined someone else's wallet with my money?
I wish there were simple answers for you. Truthfully it is somewhat complex but I will try to shed some light on it for you.
The good news is: modern vehicles require less service than ever before! The fluids used by the vehicle manufacturers were not just old liquids they found laying around! Engineers pick those lubricants, fluids and coolants for specific properties that help your vehicle last, perform, and be environmentally friendly. Many fluids used now, while more expensive initially, are actually changed less frequently and work better to keep your vehicle on the road longer than ever before. In fact changing your oil too frequently with the wrong oil will actually ruin your catalytic converter therefore costing you hundreds to over a thousand dollars to repair! Many modern engine antifreeze types (your vehicle manufacturer picked) can go 3 to 4 years between services and still maintain proper protection against freeze, cavitation, ph levels and electrolysis. Most manufacturers have gone to transmission fluids that they claim last the life of the vehicle. There is much more information on this subject but you may already be bored to tears so I will stop over-explaining.
Almost all "Quickie Lubes" (and other general repair shops for that matter) struggle to even use the correct fluids in a car. Before switching to some "universal" fluid whose amazing properties work in every mechanical device ever constructed by man please consider the source of that information. It is expensive to stock all the correct fluids for every car being driven in your area. In addition it also requires more effort and education to determine the correct fluids than some places are willing to expend. They have a tendency to try applying the same services to every vehicle made (a one size fits all approach). While simpler for their less experienced workers it isn't always the best thing for your vehicle or budget.
The best sources of information about your vehicles service requirements are found in the owner's manual or the factory repair manuals. The same applies to other service items like spark plugs and even proper tire pressure settings (often overlooked). Keep in mind that what type of driving you do and what climate conditions you drive in can change your service intervals. Many manufacturers have what they call "normal service intervals" and "severe service intervals." Practical experience and training will prove invaluable also when the engineers overestimated the durability of the fluids, filters or components. Access to factory service bulletins and professional technician forums are invaluable for finding the service types and intervals needed to keep your car purring along reliably, safely and comfortably. Check for your service provider to have ASE and other industry certifications, extensive experience and obvious professionalism.
To sum it up: Modern cars are complicated in order to perform great and be environmentally friendly. So make sure those servicing your second or third largest investment are up to the task and are on your side.
Thanks for letting me take the wheel....
Robert