Changing the various car fluids

[Bob]

So I’ve seen most of the ericthecarguy videos and I’ve learned quite a bit. Especially about changing radiator fluid and brake fluid. I intend to do both of those on a used car I just got because it kind of looks like it needs it. I’m not sure if it’s old fluid or stop leak but it looks dirty and brown and there’s “gunk” in the coolant reservoir so I plan to do a flush of the radiator and brake lines(looked slightly dirty and I have no idea if it’s ever been done but I doubt it).

I’ve got a pretty clear idea of how to do the radiator on this lumina as I’ve done it before on a sunfire. And I’m helping a friend change her radiator on her ford truck tomorrow. The brake flush seems pretty straightforward too after watching eric’s videos.

I read in one suggestion thread that someone wanted to know more about flushing power steering fluid. Eric replied that it is important and often overlooked and that he might do a video on it sometime.

So I’m just wondering if there is anything else that should be flushed regularly. I can’t really think of anything besides oil, coolant, brakes, power steering, transmission. Am I missing anything? I seem to remember eric saying he didn’t like changing transmission fluid in one of the videos so I’m a bit hesitant to mess with that since I don’t have any issues with it.

I just need to find the bleeder for the coolant. I swear I’ve looked everywhere!

Topic

[Damien Hill]

If your flushing your radiator, it might be worth inspecting the thermostat while your at it. Just to make sure the old coolant hasn’t gummed it up overtime. As for the brake fluid remember to check your owners manual or on lid of the brake master cylinder for the correct fluid. It will say something like DOT3 or DOT4 so just make sure you get the correct type. As far as transmissions go, it is really hit and miss… from my experience if your fluid is still a clean pink/red color then your usually fine to drain and re-fill. However if your transmission fluid is brown or black, just leave it alone. If your transmission is still shifting fine then I wouldn’t bother messing with it.

[college man]

In my opinion all fluids need to be changed on some schedule.
especially the transmission. Do all the fluids at the same time.
This way you know when a fluid is needed they all need it.

[Bill]

Ford trucks don’t have a bleeder valve.

[Bob]

I didn’t clearly specify in my original post but it’s the 1999 chevy lumina where I was looking for the bleeder.

Although I did look at her truck today and eric’s advice on now throwing parts at things without investigating first held true. Once I had a chance to look at it, it just needed the upper hose replaced.

[EricTheCarGuy]

‘Flushing’ is not really a maintenance procedure. You usually flush a system if you suspect a problem or have a bunch of debris in it. For maintenance, you normally change the fluids. This usually consists of a drain and refill with the proper amount of whatever fluid you’re changing. As for when to change the fluid, your owners manual should have that information. I do hope to make the PS fluid video at some point. I just haven’t gotten to it yet.

[Author]

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