Vehicle manufacturers sometimes deem regular fluid flushes as unnecessary - but let's not forget their goal is to sell more cars every year. Fluid flush services however are designed by world-class engineers to keep your car on the road.
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Are you planning on keeping your vehicle?
The truth is that the job of a vehicle manufacturer is to sell more cars every year. It's counter-intuitive for them to promote regular fluid exchange services. On the other hand, the engineers who have researched, developed, and tested these specialized fluids are incentivized with the opposite goal in mind - to keep your car on the road for as long as possible.
Are you planning on selling your vehicle?
Car buyers are now empowered with information technology to make educated purchasing decisions. Without question, every informed car buyer will review your vehicle's CarFax history. This tool, which all reputable shops in North America use, documents all the vehicle activity and service records.
By ensuring regular maintenance on your vehicle, which includes fluid flush services, you will secure the highest return on investment when you sell your car.
Here are 5 fluid flushes you should be doing regularly
Below is a breakdown of the features and benefits, costs, and risks from negligence of each fluid.
1. Brake Fluid Flush
Recommended every 30,000 miles
Brake fluid attracts moisture from the air. If unchanged, the moisture builds-up and causes corrosion in the brake lines, calipers, master cylinder and other brake components. This is not only a safety hazard but also leads to costly repairs.
BRAKE SYSTEM PROTECTION COST: $2.99 PER 1,000 MILES
AVERAGE COST FOR BRAKE REPAIRS: $300.00 - $500.00
2. Power Steering Fluid Flush
Recommended every 30,000 miles
With time, power steering fluid becomes contaminated with metal and rubber particles which circulates throughout the system. If unchanged, these particles will destroy the pumps, gears, and hoses and cause hundreds of dollars of damage.
POWER STEERING PROTECTION COST: $2.99 PER 1,000 MILES
AVERAGE COST FOR POWER STEERING REPAIRS: $380.00+
3. Engine Coolant Flush
Recommended every 30,000 miles
With time, coolant becomes contaminated with debris which causes substantial rust, scale and sludge to form. If unchanged, it leads to hose failure, leaks, and in worst cases engine overheating. As you can imagine, engine repairs are quite costly.
ENGINE PROTECTION COST: $3.99 PER 1,000 MILES
AVERAGE COST FOR ENGINE REPAIRS: $400.00 - $1,000.00
4. Transmission Fluid Flush
Recommended every 30,000 miles
With time, transmission fluid loses its ability to maintain your transmission components due to contamination from unwanted particles and fluid breakdown from the heat. If unchanged, transmission components will prematurely breakdown and cause gears to slip, engine stalls, and in worst cases, failure.
TRANSMISSION PROTECTION COST: $4.99 PER 1,000 MILES
AVERAGE COST FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS: $900.00+
5. Fuel Induction Service
Recommended every 15,000 miles
With time and heat, your engine builds-up carbon and varnish which soaks-up fuel and restricts necessary air flow. If unchanged, aside from poor emissions, your engine's most critical components will undergo undue stress and prematurely breakdown.