What Does It Mean to Get a Fluid Flush?
When you get a fluid flush you are literally draining fluids out of one of the systems in your car, truck SUV, or minivan that require fluids to function correctly, then replace the old fluid that was drained with clean, new fluids to restore efficiency to those systems. Even an oil change is a type of fluid flush. Oil is drained out of your engine and your old oil filter is removed. A technician replaces the old filter and then fills your oil reservoir with clean, new oil so your engine functions more efficiently.
Types of Fluid Flushes
There are several different fluid flushes, and each one has different recommended timetables for when they should be performed. More than that though, the frequency of each flush is also different based on the model, the year, and the make. For best results, you should check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations, but there are some guidelines to follow based on the type of flush needed:
- Transmission Flush: Transmission fluid is a specific type of oil that is used to lubricate the gears in the transmission system. This same fluid picks up dirt and grime and carries it away from the gears, so gear shifting is seamless. A good guideline to follow for this fluid flush is to have it done about every 30,000-50,000 miles. Failure to change this fluid may result in more costly repairs down the road where you’ll need to spend thousands of dollars to replace a damaged transmission.
- Anti-Freeze Flush: Your engine generates enough heat to destroy itself. Coolant helps lower the engine’s temperatures, but in time the coolant loses effectiveness and needs to be flushed and replaced.
- Power Steering Flush: If this fluid gets contaminated, it can damage hoses, pumps, and seals. A flush is recommended every 50,000-75,000 in many vehicles.
- Brake Fluid Flush: Next to oil, this is one of the most common and frequent flushes recommended, because it is easy to get air in the lines and to lose brake fluid. Failure to flush this system may result in very dangerous situations because your brakes may be rendered ineffective. Have this done about every 24,000-36,000 miles.
- Fuel Injection Flush: Cleaning and flushing this system improve your vehicle’s gas mileage; this is recommended every 30,000-35,000 miles.
- Rear Differential: Only necessary in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, recommended every 30,000 miles.
