Don't Flush Your Auto Maintenance Money Away!

In case you hadn't noticed, auto makers are stretching their recommended service and maintenance intervals with every new model year. Oil changes which used to be slated for every three months or 5,000 km are now routinely set at 6 months or 10,000 km. And for those vehicles with automated service reminder systems, frequently the time and distance span can exceed one year or over 20,000 km. Part of this stems from improvements in vehicle design and construction. And in the very competitive world of vehicle sales, auto makers with less expensive maintenance schedules have a decided advantage in the consumers' eyes. Advancement in automotive chemicals and fluids have also reduced the need for certain services. Consider long-life red engine coolant (good for 5 years or 100,000 km) or the increasing popularity of synthetic engine oils.But while consumers are saving money and time with all this progress, more and more dealership service departments are looking for ways to fill the gaps in their appointment schedules and to bring back revenue these new maintenance schedules have drained away. Welcome to the world of fluid flush treatments. While enginecoolant, transmission oil, brake and power steering fluid replacements have been around for years, they've never be recommended at service counters everywhere like they are today. And don't forget fuel injector purge treatments and hot motor oil flushes. Just about every repair shop, from the small corner garage to the largest new car dealership has a equipment room full of power flush stations with hoses and fittings of all description and sizes.But what do you really need to keep your faithful chariot on the road? Remember when you're getting a recommendation from your service advisor or consultant that their firstjob is to look out for their employer's interests and in many cases they're being paid a bonus or commission for every additional service you purchase. Generally speaking and for most passenger vehicles (check your own owner's manual to be sure), coolant changes are only required every 5 years or 100,000 km if your vehicle is supplied with long-life red coloured anti-freeze (2 years/50,000 km if it uses normal green coolant). Brake fluid flushing is recommended by most car makers every two to three years with no additional requirements due to distance traveled. Automatic transmission oil changes range from 50,000 km to 75,000 km depending on your vehicle's nameplate and even less frequently for continually variable transmissions. If the transmission has a replaceable filter, it should be changed with the fluid. Power steering fluid replacement isn't recommended by any main stream auto manufacturer and neither is fuel injection purge cleaning. Differential or axle fluid changes for four wheel drivers or light trucks range widely depending on the maker, so dig out that dusty owner's manual.All it takes to save a lot of money on these services is a few minutes spent perusing your vehicle's owner's manual or maintenance guide and then if your favourite service rep is suggesting something additional you will be prepared to ask the following questions;If you're suggesting this service that isn't listed in my vehicle's manual, why should I be getting it done?If I decline to have this service done, will it affect my car's warranty or its dependability?What are the proven and documented benefits of having this particular service done?If your service provider is really interested in customer satisfaction and values your business, they won't have any trouble answering these questions. If they do, seek out the department manager or owner and ask him or her this question; Why should I continue to bring my vehicle here?