Low Mileage on an '06 and Fluids

[ElPietro]

I have an '06 GT I got off the Biz new, and I barely drive as it only just hit 25k kms this month lol.

Anyway, the dealership has been suggesting that I change my transmission fluid and brake fluid before the winter comes this year. It's an automatic if that matters.

I was at Speedtech the other week, and Andy had responded that it probably doesn't need changing as the car has very low mileage, but was just wondering if mileage is the only factor? I know with oil even if you don't drive much, it should be changed after a certain length of time.

I was thinking of making the change to full synthetic anyway, although, Andy had said he always recommends OEM fluids, but I see everyone on these boards raving about synthetic, so now not sure.

Is the dealer just trying to squeeze some more cash out of me, or should I really get these fluids changed. They have never been changed before obviously, well other than the oil of course.

Thanks!

[yearoftherat]

The dealership is trying to grab money from you. B/c your car has very little mileage in it ( I wish mine was that low) , I wouldn't change the transmission fluid yet. The brake fluid should be fine and I'd keep using reg oil since you dont use the car that much, you won't really see the benefits if switching to synthetic.


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[Nova 3 GT]

Assuming you have an automatic tranny, as long that the ATF doesn't smell burnt, you're ok. :)

[Flagrum_3]

I have an '06 GT I got off the Biz new, and I barely drive as it only just hit 25k kms this month lol.

Anyway, the dealership has been suggesting that I change my transmission fluid and brake fluid before the winter comes this year. It's an automatic if that matters.

I was at Speedtech the other week, and Andy had responded that it probably doesn't need changing as the car has very low mileage, but was just wondering if mileage is the only factor? I know with oil even if you don't drive much, it should be changed after a certain length of time.

I was thinking of making the change to full synthetic anyway, although, Andy had said he always recommends OEM fluids, but I see everyone on these boards raving about synthetic, so now not sure.

Is the dealer just trying to squeeze some more cash out of me, or should I really get these fluids changed. They have never been changed before obviously, well other than the oil of course.

Thanks!

The point here is that obviously your car sits quite often, this makes your vehicle fluids/oils prone to excessive moisture build-up...I would suggest sticking to the "time" schedule in your case, which means oil changes every season.Definately have your tranny fluid changed as your already 5 years.Also have the engine coolant checked for acidity, as it may be shot and deteriorating your complete cooling system prematurely.:.02:

_3

[ElPietro]

Lol, so one saying don't bother, one saying change it, and another saying take a "sniff". :D

The reason I was thinking synthetic, at least for my next oil change, is that I've read that synthetic is fine "sitting" for longer. So wondering if by making the change, it's better for the engine as well as allows me to get away with only 2 oil changes per year, instead of 3 or 4.

The reason for the question on synthetic for everything else is similar to the above, as well as the fact that if I don't drive often, it's not like it will add significant cost since even if I change it now, most likely I will be selling the car before the next time any changes are required.

[Flagrum_3]

Lol, so one saying don't bother, one saying change it, and another saying take a "sniff". :D

The reason I was thinking synthetic, at least for my next oil change, is that I've read that synthetic is fine "sitting" for longer. So wondering if by making the change, it's better for the engine as well as allows me to get away with only 2 oil changes per year, instead of 3 or 4.

The reason for the question on synthetic for everything else is similar to the above, as well as the fact that if I don't drive often, it's not like it will add significant cost since even if I change it now, most likely I will be selling the car before the next time any changes are required.

Do whatever you like.But remember for every service there is a time and mileage limitation.They are not there for no reason.Switching to synthetic will not help if the car sits.It's not a miracle fluid and is prone to moisture build-up as anyother fluid.The only benefit to having synthetic in there is for cold starts, as it will pump quicker to the top of your engine.

_3

[McGuyver_3]

The point here is that obviously your car sits quite often, this makes your vehicle fluids/oils prone to excessive moisture build-up...I would suggest sticking to the "time" schedule in your case, which means oil changes every season.Definately have your tranny fluid changed as your already 5 years.Also have the engine coolant checked for acidity, as it may be shot and deteriorating your complete cooling system prematurely.:.02:

_3

+1 Just because a car has low mileage does not mean the fluids are still ok.
The oil if you do not change every 4 months 8k km and you drive very little you will have gas build up in the oil depending on how often you start and stop the car. If you drive 20km 1 way trip you should be ok. But you drive from home to the corner store every day your oil will be diluted. It can also break down over time of just sitting.
Transmission fluid I dont see that beeing to much of an issue, but it doesnt hurt to change it.
Coolant I would deffinatly flush, as the water even though mixed 50/50 can do harmful things to the internal components and can lead to further unnecesary repair expenses.Also coolant has a life expectancy of about 5-7 years depending on manufacturer.
Brake fluid is a deffinate yes as it can have moisture build up in the lines and start damaging them. My old honda (which i sold before i licenced it) had not been bled in so long it had particles of the line in the fluid when i flushed it.

[stock3]

Another vote to change the fluids. Especially coolant and brake fluids. ATF is a toss up, if it doesn't look dark and smell burned and the transmission shifts fine then it's probably OK, however given that it is 5 years old I would change it as well.

I'm usually the first one to criticize dealerships for their upsell tactics, but in this case I think the dealership gave is reasonable in suggesting these services.

[sol_searchin]

Just because your car hasn't been driven doesn't mean the fluids don't break down over time, same thing as oil changes they give you KM or time to change it, same idea for transmission/brake fluid. Your fluids are at the very least 5 years old so it's about time, I would change them for the peice of mind.

[standsideways]

Just because your car hasn't been driven doesn't mean the fluids don't break down over time, same thing as oil changes they give you KM or time to change it, same idea for transmission/brake fluid. Your fluids are at the very least 5 years old so it's about time, I would change them for the peice of mind.

+1. Change the fluids...

The dealership is not trying to steal your money, they have to go by what mazda says and thats the bottom line..

Ive had cars at my wOrk with 3000kms That are on there 5th oil change...
But conventional oils break down over time and need to be replaced..

I drain and fill my trans fluid every other oil change and i do 5000km oil changes..
Coolant once a year.
Brake fluid once a year(after winter)

I also have family members who own 3's and they do NOTHING but oil changes.

To each his own, but my car will always have good fresh fluids.

[McGuyver_3]

+1. Change the fluids...

The dealership is not trying to steal your money, they have to go by what mazda says and thats the bottom line..

Ive had cars at my wOrk with 3000kms That are on there 5th oil change...
But conventional oils break down over time and need to be replaced..

I drain and fill my trans fluid every other oil change and i do 5000km oil changes..
Coolant once a year.
Brake fluid once a year(after winter)

I also have family members who own 3's and they do NOTHING but oil changes.

To each his own, but my car will always have good fresh fluids.

wow you are overkill on the tranny and the coolant

[standsideways]

wow you are overkill on the tranny and the coolant

Its free for me, i could care less!

[McGuyver_3]

Its free for me, i could care less!

LOL so be it

[notthesnail]

New ATF is a bright, strong red that you can still see through, just like a candy apple. Over time and with use it gets worn and dirty, going dull, then murky and brown, then taking on the burnt smell of worn friction component dust. If it's still red and not too dull, and doesn't smell burnt, then you can probably leave it until next year. ATF is also used in your power steering, but because it isn't under the same stress, it wears out a lot slower. I wouldn't worry about it unless it looks really bad.

Brake fluid absorbs water, which does two things. It will start to corrode your brake components, like lines and calipers, causing leaks and seizing pistons. Water will also boil when the brakes get hot, creating bubbles of steam in your brake lines. These bubbles are compressible, which makes for a spongy pedal. Enough bubbles and you could have brake failure. It should be changed every two years, more often if you're hard on the brakes.

Coolant reacts with the metals of your engine and cooling system over time, causing corrosion and leaving deposits. This makes your cooling system less effective and could lead to premature failure of parts, like the water pump. The contamination also lowers the boiling point and raises the freezing point, which can lead to overheating or system damage. It's very easy for them to check the condition of the coolant, so there's no need to change it blindly. Just have them check it and make a recommendation.

Engine oil that just sits is not susceptible to moisture build-up of any real consequence. Drive it occasionally, though, and the heating and cooling will cause condensation. Just take it on short trips and the engine will not get the oil hot enough, for long enough, to burn off this moisture, or any fuel that might be mixed in. This is why there is a time limit for oil changes. By switching to synthetic, you are using an oil that is less affected by contact with moisture and fuel, so will last longer in low use engines, requiring fewer changes based on time (and use). By switching to certain formulations of Amsoil, you can also get a guarantee of up to a year between changes.