What Fluid Flushes Does Your Car Need?
Over time, your vehicle's fluids and the chemical compounds in them that prevent parts from wearing out degrade.
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to keep your car running smoothly for longer and improve safety and comfort on the road is to flush the fluids in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance.
When you flush a fluid, you take additional work between emptying the old fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid.
As part of a fluid flush, all of the previous fluid is discarded. When replacing the anti-freeze, it's best to flush the system first by filling the radiator with clean water, running the engine, and then flushing out the water.
Find out more about fluid flushes and their effects here.
Coolant
A mixture of water and antifreeze, called coolant, runs through the cooling system and engine to keep everything at a comfortable temperature for the working components.
Over time, anti-freeze loses its protective qualities, including its ability to stop rust and corrosion and act as a lubricant. Because of this, the engine overheats, and the heat is not distributed well.
It's possible to find antifreeze in a wide range of colors. It's time to flush the coolant if it's cloudy or sludgy or if you see rust deposits in the radiator, under the radiator cap, or in the coolant reservoir tank.
Power Steering Fluid (PSF)
If you want to know whether or not flushing the PSF is recommended for your car, look at the instructions. PSF fluid should be reddish or light brown in color; if not, the PSF system has to be checked.
Over time, power steering fluid deteriorates due to factors such as temperature, wear, pressure, and the failure of individual parts.
In the event of fluid contamination, such as a blackening of the fluid due to deteriorating rubber hoses or a silvery sheen as a result of internal parts grinding against each other, it is necessary to flush the system.
If your power steering becomes loud or harder to turn, you should also flush it.
Brake Fluid
Even in an airtight system, brake fluid can collect moisture from the air due to its hygroscopic nature. Brake parts rust, wear out, and fail when fluid is contaminated with moisture.
Brake fade, in which the pedal travels farther in response to the same amount of pressure, is another sign of impure fluid.
Motor Oil
The best approach to keep your engine in good shape is to change the oil and filter on a regular basis.
Flushing the motor oil and engine crankcase is an option if you notice that your oil has become thick, black, or chunky.
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
The ideal color for ATF is soft pink. When ATF gets dirty (dark red to dark brown), it stops working as a lubricant and a heat transfer fluid.
That leaves room for filth and varnish to build up, which can lead to sliding, severe shifting, and even part failure.
Conclusion
To avoid damaging your car, it's important to have the right fluids for your specific make, model, and the year before doing a DIY fluid flush.
At Euro Car Doctor, we have ASE-certified technicians that can help you to flush different fluids for your car.