Accord Transmission Fluid & Brake Fluid Problems ?

Discussion in 'Accord' started by Robert11, Feb 11, 2007.

  1. Robert11

    Robert11 Guest

    Hello:

    My son has a 6 cyl 2005 Accord.
    Has 28,000 miles on it.

    He brought it in to the Honda Dealership for an oil change, and they told
    him that the
    Brake Fluid, and also the Transmission Fluid, was "dark and dirty", and both
    should be replaced next time he comes in for an oil change (probably after
    another 7,500 miles)

    I have always felt that this Dealership has a tendency to "milk" maintenance
    items.

    Do the two fluid problems they mentioned sound reasonable after only 28K ?

    If so, what might be the causes of ?

    BTW: just a thought here, but how could they even see the brake fluid
    without bleeding the lines ?
    Can one tell from the fluid in the reservoir ?

    Thanks,
    Bob
     
    Robert11, Feb 11, 2007
    #1
  2. It's a good time to change the transmission fluid, but the brake fluid
    should still be in fine shape. Looking in the reservoir, the fluid should be
    light colored and clear.

    Regular fluid changes are important to Honda automatic transmissions, and
    genuine Honda ATF should always be used.

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Feb 11, 2007
    #2
  3. Robert11

    jim beam Guest

    i say milk.

    unless the transmission is in hard service, i wouldn't change it at that
    mileage. read the owner manual and follow that schedule, not the dealer
    schedule. or if you're experiencing harsh shifting.

    regarding brake fluid, it needs to be changed either annually if you're
    in a wet weather location, or every two years if not. absorbs moisture
    from the air, regardless of usage.
     
    jim beam, Feb 12, 2007
    #3
  4. Robert11

    Em3 Guest

    Brake fluid should be flushed at least every 2 years. Brake fluid absorbs moisture
    out of the air and eventually corrodes the lines, calipers and master cylinders.

    I do the same interval on my automatics too. If you want to make them last forever that is.
     
    Em3, Feb 12, 2007
    #4
  5. Robert11

    Tek Guest

    i say milk.
    If you wait to feel hard shifting before changing the Trans fluid you
    waited to long and probably did some damage. Your transmission fluid
    should be changed every 30,000 miles. As for the brake fluid I would
    hold off for one more year. When you get your brake fluid changed
    make sure that your technician flushes or bleeds the entire brake
    system not just changing the fluid in the reservoir. Changing your
    power steering fluid next year would probably be a good idea also. If
    you have any doubts look at your manual it has an entire section
    devoted to the proper maintainence of your car.

    Just for reference; Severe Conditions as descibed in your manual is
    stop and go driving, a short commute, high polution areas(like parts
    of California), severe temps(AZ, NV, AK), dusty/dirty
    areas(construction sites, desert areas). I don't know your sons
    driving habits but if he is like me a lead foot counts as well.
     
    Tek, Feb 13, 2007
    #5
  6. Robert11

    jim beam Guest

    i like to take good care of my cars, but at the same time, premature
    changes are just a waste. an 88 accord belonging to friends had over
    350k on the clock, original transmission fluid from new. my crx has
    101k on the clock, original fluid from new. buy a bmw, you can't even
    /change/ the fluid, it's sealed for life. there's way too much
    unfounded "tradition" in lube psychology - this is not the 50's and
    we're not driving detroit hunk-o-junks.
    that's another example. fluid absorption is hygroscopic. look at
    absorption charts in tech publications like the bosch automotive
    handbook [available at your local library]. it needs to be changed
    annually in wet climates.
    there's no service interval specified by honda. there's no source of
    contamination like with motor oil and there's no significant load or
    potential for thermal degradation like transmission fluid.
    indeed - the section on service intervals in particular.
     
    jim beam, Feb 13, 2007
    #6
  7. Robert11

    Tek Guest

    i say milk.
    I don't know how you treat your vehicles or how Robert11's son treats
    his but I use to work for a Honda dealer and now work for Acura and I
    have to say I have never seen a vehicle come into the shop with a
    transmission problem and be filled with clean fluid. Im not telling
    this to try to take your money. Im telling you this is the schedule I
    use on my own vehicle. Look in your manual the interval use to be 30k
    they might have changed it in 2005 if Honda moved to the Maintaince
    Minder system (I moved to Acura in early 2004). Preventative
    maintance is exactly that, preventative.
    As for the Brake Fluid, you are correct. In wet climates it should be
    flushed more often. The area I live in I flush mine every 2-3 years.
    You shouldn't let the dealer push you into something unnessary, but
    don't think they are just trying to rip you off either.
     
    Tek, Feb 15, 2007
    #7
  8. Robert11

    John Horner Guest


    I'm with the dealer on this one. Brake fluid changes once every two
    years and transmission fluid changes once every 30k miles are an
    excellent idea.

    John
     
    John Horner, Feb 18, 2007
    #8
  9. Robert11

    jim beam Guest

    prevent what? the longevity of my friend's accord? the longevity of my
    crx?

    my point is, there's no science behind the obsession we have with
    changing oil. when i get a postcard form a tire shop telling me that
    "according to their records, it's time i came in for my 3,000 mile oil
    change", it's pure hocus pocus. they don't know my actual mileage.
    they don't know what my use history is. they don't even analyze oil
    when they service vehicles to find out what the schedule /should/ be!
    no, it's all about lightening the wallet. if tires weren't subject to
    visible wear, they'd be subject to completely unnecessary change
    schedules too.

    on the subject of repairs with zero visibility, when one of my friends
    gets "urgent" calls from sf honda when his car's in for routine service
    saying that the braking system [master cylinder, disks, calipers] needs
    to be urgently replaced, is that ok? how about if i tell you the car
    has only 45k miles? how about i tell you this vehicle had exactly the
    same "urgent" repairs done only 15k miles ago?

    another data point: don't know about the accord, but the 2000 civic has
    a 90k mile transmission fluid change schedule. much more likely that
    factory schedule is closer to that than 30k.
     
    jim beam, Feb 19, 2007
    #9
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