Tag: fluids

59 Posts

is it worthwhile to replace my transmission fluid every time i change my oil
Aug 01, 2005

Is changing the transmission fluid every 3k miles overkill?

Dear Car Talk

I have a 1989 Jaguar XJ6. And every 3,000 miles when I change the oil, I also drain out 3 quarts of the automatic-transmission fluid by removing the transmission drain plug. Then I put in 3 new quarts of ATF to replace it. I'm...

transmissions fluids maintenance

why does the coolant system already need to be flushed at 30 k miles
May 01, 2005

Does "acid in the coolant" a reasonable diagnosis for a car with only 30,000 miles on it?

Dear Car Talk

We recently had our family's Honda Odyssey in for the -mile service at a Phoenix Honda dealer During the visit the service adviser counseled us that the coolant system contained acid and would require a complete flushing at a cost...

fluids maintenance dealers

does differential oil need to be changed and how much should it cost
Jan 01, 2003

Just because fluids are dirty it doesn't necessarily mean they need to be replaced.

Dear Car Talk

I recently took my Dodge Ram conversion van in for an oil change The shop did a full-service check of all my fluids and put a sample of each on a plastic card to compare the colors with those of...

fluids steering differentials

Dec 01, 2002

Hey guys, not ALL cars can mix different colored coolants.

Dear Car Talk

You wrote recently that different-colored coolants regular and long life can be mixed without danger Your info might be accurate regarding GM and Toyota coolant but as a Volkswagen Service Manager I can tell you that it's not true with...

coolant fluids Volkswagen

Nov 01, 2002

Oil in the power-steering-fluid reservoir: how bad is it?

Dear Car Talk

I hope you can help a beleaguered father I need to know how deeply I am mired in you-know-what I gave my -year-old son my old Isuzu Trooper when I got a new vehicle I knew that even though it...

steering fluids oil

Sep 01, 2002

What's the difference between red & green coolant?

Dear Car Talk

I drive a Toyota and do all of my own maintenance I have been using the regular green coolant that is frequently on sale and I change it every couple of years Recently I was told by a presumably knowledgeable...

coolant fluids

Sep 01, 2002

To flush or not to flush.

Dear Car Talk

I've got a Geo Prizm with about miles It's only been flushed once at about miles I was advised not to flush it as it might cause everything to come loose and I'd need a new radiator which I can't...

radiators maintenance fluids

Mar 01, 2002

Siphoning liquids without using your mouth?

Dear Car Talk

Is there a way to siphon liquids -- like gasoline and antifreeze -- from a car without putting your mouth on the siphoning tube -- Joyce RAY Yes When you're siphoning a fluid you need a way to fill the...

fluids gasoline DIY

Nov 01, 2000

Could this rough shifting transmission have the wrong fluid inside?

Dear Car Talk

My friend drives a mid- s Jeep Wrangler He took it in to get serviced a few weeks ago The service included changing the transmission oil After the service he noticed that the shifting had become rough Because the roughness...

fluids transmissions

Sep 01, 2000

What is the right way to bleed off excess hydraulic fluid?

Dear Car Talk

I need to do a brake job on my Mercury Grand Marquis and I want to know the correct procedure for bleeding off the excess hydraulic fluid Some mechanics have said that when you depress the caliper piston to make...

brakes ABS fluids DIY