Coolant/fluid changes based on age not mileage
07-05-2011, 04:37 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 56
Coolant/fluid changes based on age not mileage
So I have a 2000 Camaro SS that doesnt see alot of use because of where I live. It has 29,000 miles on it and is almost 11 yrs old. I have owned it from day one.
Every winter I store it just with stablized full fuel tank, park it on thick rubber mats and hook up to a battery charger.
Now come spring I always get a synthetic oil change for the summer and maybe put 1500 or 2000 miles on it before storing it again.
I have replaced brakes and tires and that is about it.
My question is on the fluids - are they all still good after 10 years or need a complete flush? They are in a sealed system, no? I know when I got the brakes down the mechanic had to replace the brake fluid (maybe not flush).
But is power steering neccessary?
What about the coolant? Should I flush and change it - it is that dex cool which is supposed to be good for 150,000 miles (or 5 years). The shop I asked about says I shouldn't use "dex clog" (as he called it) coolant and change and switch to regular stuff. Manual says to always use dex cool.
Do I really need to worry about these fluids with such low miles?
Thanks in advance !
Every winter I store it just with stablized full fuel tank, park it on thick rubber mats and hook up to a battery charger.
Now come spring I always get a synthetic oil change for the summer and maybe put 1500 or 2000 miles on it before storing it again.
I have replaced brakes and tires and that is about it.
My question is on the fluids - are they all still good after 10 years or need a complete flush? They are in a sealed system, no? I know when I got the brakes down the mechanic had to replace the brake fluid (maybe not flush).
But is power steering neccessary?
What about the coolant? Should I flush and change it - it is that dex cool which is supposed to be good for 150,000 miles (or 5 years). The shop I asked about says I shouldn't use "dex clog" (as he called it) coolant and change and switch to regular stuff. Manual says to always use dex cool.
Do I really need to worry about these fluids with such low miles?
Thanks in advance !
07-05-2011, 05:48 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 95
Re: Coolant/fluid changes based on age not mileage
I've heard dex cool eats aluminum and thus it becomes 'clogged' not sure... and I'm kind of in the same boat as you.. I have a truck for the SNOW, and two motorcycles alongside my z28 drop top... I have more trouble with everything based on 'LACK OF USE' than anything... got to get a bigger garage and have it setup for this problem... trickle charge all of them... drain bike fluids for winter/ pull batteries... but the car and truck I think trickle and rotate frequently.
Curious as to what other people have to say about fluids for this situation!
Curious as to what other people have to say about fluids for this situation!
07-06-2011, 06:59 AM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: upstate New York
Posts: 439
Re: Coolant/fluid changes based on age not mileage
Read your owners manual- the manufacturer specifies intervals for mileage OR age- i.e., 50,000 miles OR 5 years. Lots of the various fluids have additives and stabilizers that break down over time, and need to be replaced.
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