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re: How To Handle Maintenance On A Low Mileage Car?

Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:45 pm to
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
79884 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:45 pm to
quote:

Where does the moisture come from?


It doesn't, technically it works under a vacuum, but the fear off water disappears when you realize it will boil off.

Should you change it or not? Depends on your belief.
Posted by Front9Bandit
Member since Dec 2013
15432 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:47 pm to
quote:

Fuel pack is service to throttle body, Intake Decarb and Fuel Injection Service.


I wouldn't do this on any import, a lot of them, mainly Nissan and Mitsubishi for sure have a plastic inlay gasket in the throttle body and an intake service will frick it up pretty bad.
Posted by The First Cut
Member since Apr 2012
14817 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:48 pm to
I've never changed brake fluid, ever. Moisture in brake fluid is only a concern for storage of containers that have been opened. No auto manufacturer, that I have ever seen, calls for this service.
Posted by Agforlife
Somewhere in the Brazos Valley
Member since Nov 2012
20102 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:48 pm to
quote:

Where does the moisture come from?




From the atmosphere, there are rubber seals around the pistons in the calipers that moisture can seep through. The master cylinder cover has a seal that moisture can get past, as well as all threaded connections in the system. Not to mention the brake booster which operates on vacuum and is open to the master cylinder piston with only an o ring to seal out moisture.





Eta: to finish last sentence
This post was edited on 9/7/15 at 6:54 pm
Posted by The First Cut
Member since Apr 2012
14817 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:50 pm to
No way. Any air, any air in a hydraulic system will render brakes completely ineffective. You have to bleed the air out of the system for your brakes to work at all.
Posted by Agforlife
Somewhere in the Brazos Valley
Member since Nov 2012
20102 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:51 pm to
quote:

I've never changed brake fluid, ever. Moisture in brake fluid is only a concern for storage of containers that have been opened. No auto manufacturer, that I have ever seen, calls for this service.





Have you ever removed brake lines that has rust inside them because I have. That rust came from somewhere.
Posted by Agforlife
Somewhere in the Brazos Valley
Member since Nov 2012
20102 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:52 pm to
quote:

No way. Any air, any air in a hydraulic system will render brakes completely ineffective. You have to bleed the air out of the system for your brakes to work at all.




No kidding but if you don't think moisture can get by seals and work it's way into the system you are mistaken.
Posted by The First Cut
Member since Apr 2012
14817 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:52 pm to
Changed brakes many times, never seen rust in the fluid.
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
79884 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:54 pm to
quote:

e never changed brake fluid, ever. Moisture in brake fluid is only a concern for storage of containers that have been opened. No auto manufacturer, that I have ever seen, calls for this service.



Nor have I. Inadvertently have done it while upgrading brakes and having too add fluid and bleed them.
Posted by Agforlife
Somewhere in the Brazos Valley
Member since Nov 2012
20102 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:54 pm to
quote:

Changed brakes many times, never seen rust in the fluid.



Good for you, I have seen it. I'm not saying it happens to all vehicles but it does happen.
Posted by 756
Member since Sep 2004
15998 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:54 pm to
First get a new mechanic who is honest to care for your car.- If you like dealers- find a new one- yours is a ripoff

Two- switch to synthetic oil-

Three- other posters are correct about brake fluid- change it every 4-5 years

There is no need to do other maintenance except mileage as suggested in your owners manual

Now this is the most important thing. Your biggest danger is LACK OF USE. Drive your car at least once a week for 25 miles or more to warm up the engine and lubricate everything. Run the AC, in fact utilize all your car features --roll windows up and down, etc

Your biggest danger is drying out seals and gaskets.

I trust you are storing your vehicle inside. Keep it washed and clean

Posted by N2cars
Member since Feb 2008
40409 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:56 pm to
Rubber and plastic allow moisture to be absorbed into a "closed" system. The moisture will allow the fluid to have a lower boiling point and not be as effective.

A six-year old vehicle like the OP has is probably fine, but given the lack of heat in his short trips, I would definitely change it.

I have seen brake fluid intervals as long as 10 years, some much shorter if tracking a vehicle or severe duty.

Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
79884 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:56 pm to
quote:

ave you ever removed brake lines that has rust inside them because I have. That rust came from somewhere


Maybe you should upgrade your lines to stainless.
Posted by weadjust
Member since Aug 2012
15818 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 6:57 pm to
I have a low mileage 46 year old car I have had for 34 years. I haven't change the brake fluid since 1981. Brakes work fine for drum brakes. I'll change the fluid when one of brake cylinders goes out if I don't die in a fiery crash
Posted by N2cars
Member since Feb 2008
40409 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 7:00 pm to
from cars.com:

Changing brake fluid can be a slippery subject. Some manufacturers include it in their maintenance schedules and others don't.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, says brake fluid should be replaced every two years or 20,000 miles, and Volkswagen says that should be done on most of its models every two years regardless of mileage. Subaru recommends fresh brake fluid every 30,000 miles.

More Car Maintenance Coverage

On the other hand, most Chevrolets can go 150,000 miles or 10 years, according to Chevy's maintenance schedule, and many Ford, Chrysler and Toyota vehicles don't list brake fluid as a regular maintenance item.

Check your car's owner's manual to see what the manufacturer recommends. You might also want to discuss the slippery subject of brake fluid with a trusted mechanic if the manufacturer doesn't give any guidance. Don't be surprised if a mechanic suggests replacing the brake fluid periodically, because mechanics probably have seen what can happen if you don't.

What can happen? Even though brake fluid dwells in a sealed system it still can absorb moisture over time, and that can lead to corrosion in the brake system. Moisture also lowers the boiling temperature of brake fluid, and that can reduce braking effectiveness in repeated hard stops.

If the manufacturer lists a 10-year interval or none at all for replacing brake fluid, how often should you have it done?

Every two or three years is probably too often, though if it helps you sleep at night, then go for it. Just be aware that some service shops, especially those that make their living by replacing fluids, might try to
. Just be aware that some service shops, especially those that make their living by replacing fluids, might try to scare you with dire warnings that disaster is imminent unless you flush all your vehicle's fluids long before it is necessary.

Unless the manufacturer calls for it sooner, we would wait four or five years and have it done at the same time as other brake work, such as replacing pads or rotors. Replacing brake fluid is cheaper than replacing brake lines or a master cylinder that has corroded, so don't automatically dismiss the recommendation of a mechanic as just salesmanship.

And no matter who suggests fresh brake fluid, make sure they're replacing it with the type that is called for by the vehicle manufacturer. Some vehicles require DOT 3 fluid, others a different variety, such as DOT 5, so consult your owner's manual before you give the go ahead.

Posted by N2cars
Member since Feb 2008
40409 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 7:01 pm to
quote:

die in a fiery crash


RIP.







Posted by Gevans17
Member since Dec 2007
1135 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 7:04 pm to
change the brake fluid and add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to the gas tank next time you fill up.
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
79884 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 7:05 pm to
quote:

st be aware that some service shops, especially those that make their living by replacing fluids, might try to


This is the scary part. Tried getting my diff fluid replaced a couple weeks ago. Four shops said they could do the oil, but none could do the diff fluid. The guys who can change diff fluid only work during the week.

Took five minutes worth off work in my Dad's driveway before heading back home. Literally the same exact process as an oil change, just less fluid and no filter.
This post was edited on 9/7/15 at 7:06 pm
Posted by N2cars
Member since Feb 2008
40409 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 7:07 pm to
That is the deal. They all want the easy stuff.

I have a few low-mileage vehicles so I'm always messing with crap like this.

My cars are like my dogs, they show up at my house and I can't get rid or 'em.
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
79884 posts
Posted on 9/7/15 at 7:14 pm to
Besides two 75 mile trips in the past 10 months I have put less than 30 miles on the Jeep.

The wife walks to work/store/everything else, so her car moves about twice a month.

Hopefully the Jeep situation changes shortly.
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