Cars And Fluids: Why You Don’t Need To Flush

Fluids and flushes (in your vehicle)… this is an area of the automotive industry that continues to give dealership service centers and auto repair garages a bad name. And they’re earning it. In the old days, cars were built a lot simpler. There weren’t as many electronic parts and components, and your father could probably fix most of the problems under the hood. Back then, flushing the radiator or transmission was a great idea.

However, things have changed. Today, your vehicle is likely loaded with technology that precludes that kind of flushing. But, that hasn’t dissuaded mechanics and auto technicians from recommending it. In this article, I’ll explain why they’re so aggressive in suggesting that you flush your vehicle’s parts. I’ll also describe why it’s no longer necessary.

The Repair Garage’s Perspective

Think about some of the work that mechanics perform. Brake jobs, timing belt replacements, fuel line and water pump repairs, fixing cooling systems, and more. Those things take a lot of time and carry a lot of potential liability. Now, consider fluid flushes. They’re extremely profitable and take very little time, by comparison. What’s more, they’re easy to perform, so there isn’t much opportunity for making a mistake. If you were a mechanic and you had to choose between performing conventional repairs and flushing all day, you’d probably choose the latter.

And that’s exactly why repair garages push flushing services. It’s easy, it’s profitable, and drivers buy into the pitch all the time. Now, let’s take an objective look at the parts that your technician wants to flush.

Transmissions, Radiators, And More

Your car’s transmission, radiator, power steering, and differential are all targets. The problem is, it’s nearly impossible for a person to tell, just by looking at the transmission fluid, when it was changed. So, the mechanic who looks at the fluid and stares at you with that “you’re car is about to die” look is probably just trying to sell a service you don’t need. Auto technicians are also fond of recommending annual radiator flushes. They’re not necessary. As long as you keep the coolant level high, you’ll be fine.

How about flushing the brake fluid? Again, it’s usually unnecessary, unless your owner’s manual specifically recommends the service. Same with your differential. The guy at the repair garage might say your entire family is 1 step away from meeting with disaster if you don’t have your differential serviced. But, don’t believe him.

In the end, always follow your owner’s manual. Trust me, if the car manufacturer thought that flushing certain fluids was important, they’d list the service in the manual. If you don’t see it there, take a pass on it.

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Learning The Basics Of Car Recalls

Hundreds of problems can occur within the parts that should otherwise make your vehicle run properly. The transmission can fail, the engine might stall, the alternator may malfunction; each component carries the potential for going bad. Sometimes, it happens as a result of normal wear and tear. Other times, it’s due to maintenance neglect. Now, let’s set those things aside for a moment and consider vehicle recalls.

Occasionally, car manufacturers make mistakes. Faults in design or production can cause certain components to fail; they can impact safety during collisions; they can dramatically reduce a vehicle’s performance. When this happens, the automaker will issue a recall. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at what they are, how they work, and what you should do when they’re issued for your make and model.

What Is It?

They’re not complicated. If there’s a major problem with a vehicle (for example, the air bags aren’t deploying consistently), a recall is issued and owners are informed of it through the mail. Those owners can then take their cars to the dealer to have the problem fixed.

How Does It Happen?

It’s nice to imagine that automakers would be proactive if they know there’s a problem in one of their vehicles. Unfortunately, they often need a little prodding. Here’s how the process typically works…

A bunch of people begin noticing that their cars are having a specific problem. Some of those folks call the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to lodge a complaint. Over time, the NHTSA identifies a trend and starts an investigation. If they can reproduce the problem consistently, they’ll release their test results and contact the automaker. If the manufacturer doesn’t issue a recall, the NHTSA will.

What Should You Do?

As noted above, if a recall is issued for your make and model, you’ll be notified through the mail. You’ll receive an official notice from the car manufacturer or the NHTSA. That notice will contain specific instructions regarding the steps you’ll need to take in order to have the defect repaired. In nearly every case, you won’t be responsible for paying for the repairs. That’s the automaker’s job; after all, it was their mistake that led to the problem in the first place.

It Can Happen To Anyone

Your car might handle like a dream and perform like a stallion. But, that doesn’t mean a defect isn’t hidden in the morass of parts and systems under the hood. The truth is, a recall can be issued for any make and model that is less than 8 years old. If you receive one, follow the instructions contained on the official notice to have the defect remedied.

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4 New Features You’ll Find In The Latest Cars

If you’re driving an older model vehicle, you may be surprised to discover the types of features that new cars are being designed with. Admittedly, some of them are superfluous; they’re nice to have and brag to your friends about, but won’t add much practical value. Others are extremely useful. They offer better safety, more convenience, and a more enjoyable time behind the wheel. The next time you visit a dealership, some of these new features may not even be optional. Below, I’ll give you a quick overview of 4 of the most interesting and promising.

#1 - iPod Integration

Plugging your iPod into your vehicle isn’t a new technology, but automakers are aggressively pursuing ways to make the experience more convenient. From inexpensive ports to seamless docking stations, car manufacturers continue to leverage the popularity of the world’s favorite MP3 player. The latest systems will allow you to control your iPod through controls that are installed directly into your steering wheel.

#2 - Rear View Cameras

Over the past decade, automakers seemed dedicated to producing ever-larger vehicles to sate the marketplace’s insatiable appetite for them. Massive SUVs began to litter the roads. The downside is that the driver’s blind spot behind the vehicle expanded, leading to hundreds of fatalities as unobservant motorists unwittingly backed up upon those who were behind them. Rear view cameras are gaining popularity. Initially, they were only available in SUVs, but today, cars and trucks can be equipped with them at the factory.

#3 - Bluetooth Technology

It was only a matter of time until legislation was drafted to reduce cell phone-related traffic accidents. Bluetooth technology has been available in vehicles for a few years. However, as state and federal governments pass laws restricting drivers’ use of cell phones, automakers are including this feature in larger portions of their inventory. As long as your cell phone is already “Bluetooth enabled,” you can simply say, “Call parents” to dial and connect hands-free.

#4 - Keyless Entry And Ignition

This is more of a “nice to have” feature, but can be valuable if you struggle with your keys. Most new cars come with key fobs. Press a button and the doors unlock. Press it again and it activates the locks. Pretty simple. The only problem is that you still need to actually press a button (yes, very inconvenient). The latest incarnation of these key fobs is that they will automatically unlock your vehicle as you approach it. The key fob sends a signal to a receiver in your car, telling it to let you in.

Once you’re in the driver’s seat, you simply press the ignition button to start your car; Your keys can remain in your pocket or purse. It’s hard to rationalize this feature as a “must have,” but it’s still impressive.

Welcome To The New World

The automotive world has changed dramatically over the past several years. Not only are vehicles designed and built better, they come with a host of exciting new features that promise to make our driving experience safer, more enjoyable, and convenient. When the time comes to retire your old vehicle and buy a new one, some of these features may no longer be optional.

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