Change power steering fluid / radiator coolant

[Hyun]

hi all, just been told by autobacs i need to change power steering fluid / radiator coolant.

1) they said my radiator coolant a bit dirty, better to do a flush and change.

2) power steering fluid low - they didn't say dirty but they sort of suggested flush and change as well.

 

car is a 3 year old hatchback, not sure if i've changed these stuff before, maybe not.

 

do i just buy the oil and stuff and top up? follow their flush advice at a garage?

 

thanks!

[Route88]

The best is to do it at the garage,need to do total flush,bleed the system.

They have the necessary equipment and compressor .

Stamford also can do.

[Robin]

if its dirty, then better to flush and change

 

if not dirty can top-up, using the same fluid/coolant

[Mzrmazda3]

Better do in a garage as they have the required tools & equipment

Edited May 15, 2008 by Mzrmazda3

[Siyexcalibur]

Radiator coolant dirty, you should flush and change. However it also show that you undermaintained your coolant or you used the wrong type of coolant.

 

Power steering fluid you can top up but you have to monitor for leaks. Can try STP power steering fluid and stop leak.

[Hyun]

thanks all, i'm not familiar with this part of car stuff.

 

like "undermaintained" my coolant - coolant requires checking of levels, topping up,... anything else? how regular? i was following my car manual and .. heh, didn't read much about coolant maintenance there.

 

ok so looks like i better flush bleed the coolant thing. power steering doesn't sound like it needs flush/bleed so i suppose i'll just top up.

 

now to find out whether which is a better price, stamford, autobacs, small-time shops ..etc.. any ideas? buy my own coolant & powersteering fluid before going there?

[Blackbird749]

The best every two years or 50k mileage ,change all the basic fluids like coolant ,brake fluid ,ATF ,power steering fluid etc.it goes a long way in protecting your investment(car). .All these items will have a life span(wear and tear),due to our hot climate in S'pore etc.Best get rid of all old stuff and change it to new one .At least have a piece of mind for the next 50k or two years.

If you want to save a bit of money ,can buy all the parts or fluids you need and go to any workshop to get it change .Only pay for the labour only. Check for any good workshop recommend by our bro here like Thomson caltex etc.Check those old topics for details lah.cheer

[Siyexcalibur]

I am very sure that for all cars, you have to change the coolant every X km or Y months whichever comes first, X could be 40K km or 60K km or more and Y should be 2 years to 3 years. Coolant contains rust inhibitors, lubricants as well as ethylene glycol (anti-freeze). If your coolant indicates rust, it shows that the rust inhibitors has been depleted otherwise it should be very clear green or blue or red. This should never happen if the coolant is changed at the correct interval unless you are using extremely poor and/or unsuitable coolant for example some very cheap american formulated coolant from NTUC etc. My advice is to stick with well know brand coolants.

 

The exact time/mileage interval can be found in your car manual. If you lost your manual, you can try changing coolant at 40K.

 

On the other hand most car manuals do not indicate that the power steering fluid have to be flushed and bleed regularly.

Edited May 15, 2008 by Siyexcalibur

[Hyun]

thanks! if buy fluids, coolant sounds like universal ethylene glycol type. any brand to recommend? one bottle can fill many times cos it is diluted with water? can be used for other makes of cars too right?

 

steering fluid is dexron 2 or 3. daihatsu uses ATF. and MEG coolant.

 

they charge $45 for fluids and labour. good?