# Flushing Car Fluids (Transmission/Coolant/Etc): Necessary? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 8, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flushing-car-fluids-transmission-coolant-etc-necessary/239023 "2004-04-08T20:21:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flushing-car-fluids-transmission-coolant-etc-necessary/239023/1 "2004-04-08T20:21:55Z")
I have owned my Saturn for 10 years, taken it for regular oil changes and suddenly now I am being asked every time if I want to flush my transmission and coolant and godknowswhatelse. They never used to ask me this question, and I am wondering if this is just something they do when they have some down time and need to increase the $$ flow in the cash register. They want something like $180 to do this. My questions: Is it really necessary? Does anyone else do this? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2004, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flushing-car-fluids-transmission-coolant-etc-necessary/239023/2 "2004-04-09T00:04:59Z")
Not sure of your actual location but I would say you are well past due for having both serviced. Even the best anti-freeze coolants made today are only good for 5 years. And it can be suprising how much better a transmission shifts and engages after a fluid flush. It all really depends on how long you intend to keep the car. If you plan to keep the car for a while longer, both would be a worthwhile investment in the future of your car. ---
**Author:** ![Bandanaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ab097/32.png) [@Bandanaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bandanaman)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flushing-car-fluids-transmission-coolant-etc-necessary/239023/3 "2004-04-09T00:26:18Z")
Absolutely. $180.00 is a bit cheaper than a tranny job, and to replace the radiator alone is probably around $150-$200, not including labour. My S/O has an old Merc, with about 130k on it. It would shudder like PeeWee at the movies whenever she tried to accelerate. I flushed it, and put in a new filter, and it runs like new. If you don’t have any experience at this, it’s best to let the professionals handle it. F’rinstance, just draining the tranny fluid, and changing the filter, which may be helpful, but the majority of the trans fluid is in the torque converter. If you don’t change _all_ the fluid, you’re wasting your time and money. JMExperience/O ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2004, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flushing-car-fluids-transmission-coolant-etc-necessary/239023/4 "2004-04-09T00:41:50Z")
The coolent should be changed a long time ago, you may have dammageed some parts already like the water pump impeller. As for the tranny fluid, I have heard conflicting reports. Sometimes a fluid change is followed by tranny failure, so YMMV. It does seem like a good price though. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2004, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flushing-car-fluids-transmission-coolant-etc-necessary/239023/5 "2004-04-09T02:11:30Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I have owned my Saturn for 10 years, taken it for regular oil changes and suddenly now I am being asked every time if I want to flush my transmission and coolant and godknowswhatelse. They never used to ask me this question, and I am wondering if this is just something they do when they have some down time and need to increase the $$ flow in the cash register. They want something like $180 to do this. > > My questions: > Is it really necessary? > Does anyone else do this? Absolutely. Do you think engine oil is the only fluid that breaks down? What sort of mileage do you have on the vehicle, and have you EVER done any servicing on the aforementioned systems? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2004, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flushing-car-fluids-transmission-coolant-etc-necessary/239023/6 "2004-04-09T06:33:38Z")
Read the maintenance schedule in your owners manual or accompanying booklet. Hang your head in shame that you are so greivously overdue for these services, and that instead of your being aware and requesting them as they came due, it took someone else’s prodding to get you thinking about them. Catch up on the rest of the overlooked maintenance for the car. > [@DMark](#): > > …suddenly now I am being asked every time if I want to flush my transmission and coolant… This probably means they got expensive new flushing machines and the manager wants them to ask everybody (you want fries with that?). Some places don’t even bother to see if you just had the service on your last visit.