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Okay, seriously, the only thing I routinely change is the oil (frequently) and transmission fluid (infrequently). Everything else gets checked regularly and changed if needed. Usually a blown brake line, PS hose, or radiator hose along the way necessitates the changing of those fuids through attrition anyway.
I don't see any downside to changing fluids more frequently, other than the cost, but I tend to run most of my vehicles up to or over 200K miles without any issues relating to fluid changes so I'll stick with what I'm doing for the time being. If my experience chages, likely my philosophy will follow suit.
Our Vehicles rust out before 200k, so I don't worry about much more than oil changes. The salt they put on the roads in the winter is a killer.
Oil changes every 5000 or 6000 miles. Transmission flushed after hard pulls. Cooling system serviced at the beginning of hot weather, flush and fluid, hoses if necessary. Brake fluid changed when it gets contaminated. Gear boxes flushed every 50,000 miles. Wheel bearings packed when the brakes get repaired.
Engine oil, trans fluid, differentials, power steering, brake fluid, clutch fluid, etc etc.... Well before recommended and with OEM or better replacements.
I've put 150K on my latest car doing "excessive" maintainence and it's still running like new
I buy all my cars with at least 150K already on them for around a thousand dollars, and they're running fine when I buy them, and I typically get around 50K more out of them. I've had a couple that I got 245K and 230K. I consider it very unlikely that ANY fluids in them have ever been changed, except the oil. They might not all run "like new", but none have ever failed to get me where I was going, including Panama (and back) in a Corolla with over 200K (needed struts along the way)..
I buy all my cars with at least 150K already on them for around a thousand dollars, and they're running fine when I buy them, and I typically get around 50K more out of them. I've had a couple that I got 245K and 230K. I consider it very unlikely that ANY fluids in them have ever been changed, except the oil. They might not all run "like new", but none have ever failed to get me where I was going, including Panama (and back) in a Corolla with over 200K (needed struts along the way)..
Well if you are spending $1K on a car, then you don't have much to lose then if end of usable life is at 180K, or 250K.
In my situation, i paid $42K for the car, and put that 150K miles on it myself. I feel better spending the $20-30 to put Mobil 1 differential fluid in at 150K miles than just letting it go and taking my chances. I like my car (infiniti G35x), it's paid off and reliable and tend to be proactive with maintainence, cleaning, and overall care.
How exactly is one proactive with cleaning? Do you wash it before it gets dirty?
Well i guess you can consider it that.
I realize this was more tongue-in-cheek, but in a way I do clean it while it's still clean. For example, it's easier to clean and condition the leather or shampoo the carpet when it's relatively clean vs waiting until someone drops Honey BBQ sauce on the carpet and puts the floor mat over it for a couple weeks.
Being as I AM NOT an engineer, I do not feel qualified to determine what is a "better" fluid for my vehicles...
I use what the factory (and their many engineers) recommend!
(Note: People who install "better" spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filters, etc. are all over the internet complaining about car troubles - due to their not following manufacturer recommendations.)
Being as I AM NOT an engineer, I do not feel qualified to determine what is a "better" fluid for my vehicles...
I use what the factory (and their many engineers) recommend!
(Note: People who install "better" spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filters, etc. are all over the internet complaining about car troubles - due to their not following manufacturer recommendations.)
Yes and no, it's grey. I am running Iridium plugs on my old Corolla that came with copper and it runs better. I tend to put OEM spec or better fluids back in all cars. But yes there are some that don't know Toyota radiators don't like phosphate and find themselves in trouble with some aftermarkets.
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