Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
that both systems be flushed.

I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
it appears to be a nice profit generator?

Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.

Dave

 

On 12/28/06 4:14 PM, in article MPG.1ffdfdbcda71ac0298a13d@207.14.116.130,
"Dave Garrett" <dave@compassnet.com> wrote:

> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?

When the transmission fluid is changed with the drain and fill method, it
has to be done several times to actually change all the fluid. Normally
three drain & fills will get it all. The service manual specifies that the
procedure be repeated until the fluid is the right color and smell.
Apparently, your dealer only did it once and that did not replace enough of
it to clean it up.

Unless the guidance has changed recently, Honda does not recommend flushing,
but rather repeated drain & fill until it cleans up.
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>

There is nothing in the service schedules for any of my cars (including the
'06 Honda) about periodically changing power steering fluid & I've never
changed any. I've seen this come up occasionally just in the past couple of
years. Does anybody know what is prompting this new maintenance issue?

> Dave
>

 

On 12/28/06 4:14 PM, in article MPG.1ffdfdbcda71ac0298a13d@207.14.116.130,
"Dave Garrett" <dave@compassnet.com> wrote:

> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?

When the transmission fluid is changed with the drain and fill method, it
has to be done several times to actually change all the fluid. Normally
three drain & fills will get it all. The service manual specifies that the
procedure be repeated until the fluid is the right color and smell.
Apparently, your dealer only did it once and that did not replace enough of
it to clean it up.

Unless the guidance has changed recently, Honda does not recommend flushing,
but rather repeated drain & fill until it cleans up.
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>

There is nothing in the service schedules for any of my cars (including the
'06 Honda) about periodically changing power steering fluid & I've never
changed any. I've seen this come up occasionally just in the past couple of
years. Does anybody know what is prompting this new maintenance issue?

> Dave
>

 

On 12/28/06 4:14 PM, in article MPG.1ffdfdbcda71ac0298a13d@207.14.116.130,
"Dave Garrett" <dave@compassnet.com> wrote:

> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?

When the transmission fluid is changed with the drain and fill method, it
has to be done several times to actually change all the fluid. Normally
three drain & fills will get it all. The service manual specifies that the
procedure be repeated until the fluid is the right color and smell.
Apparently, your dealer only did it once and that did not replace enough of
it to clean it up.

Unless the guidance has changed recently, Honda does not recommend flushing,
but rather repeated drain & fill until it cleans up.
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>

There is nothing in the service schedules for any of my cars (including the
'06 Honda) about periodically changing power steering fluid & I've never
changed any. I've seen this come up occasionally just in the past couple of
years. Does anybody know what is prompting this new maintenance issue?

> Dave
>

 

On 12/28/06 4:14 PM, in article MPG.1ffdfdbcda71ac0298a13d@207.14.116.130,
"Dave Garrett" <dave@compassnet.com> wrote:

> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?

When the transmission fluid is changed with the drain and fill method, it
has to be done several times to actually change all the fluid. Normally
three drain & fills will get it all. The service manual specifies that the
procedure be repeated until the fluid is the right color and smell.
Apparently, your dealer only did it once and that did not replace enough of
it to clean it up.

Unless the guidance has changed recently, Honda does not recommend flushing,
but rather repeated drain & fill until it cleans up.
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>

There is nothing in the service schedules for any of my cars (including the
'06 Honda) about periodically changing power steering fluid & I've never
changed any. I've seen this come up occasionally just in the past couple of
years. Does anybody know what is prompting this new maintenance issue?

> Dave
>

 

Dave Garrett wrote:
>
> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>

A power steering flush is a fairly common procedure. A standard
recommendation is to do it every 5 years or 50,000 miles. The procedure is
outlined in the Helm factory service manual. It uses the power steering
pump to flush the fluid and not an external machine so there is no danger of
forcing fluid through the system in a way for which is was not designed.

With regards to the transmission flush, I would avoid it and follow the
recommendations of the other posters. Three to four fluid changes, drain
and refills, should get most of the old fluid out.

Eric

 

Dave Garrett wrote:
>
> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>

A power steering flush is a fairly common procedure. A standard
recommendation is to do it every 5 years or 50,000 miles. The procedure is
outlined in the Helm factory service manual. It uses the power steering
pump to flush the fluid and not an external machine so there is no danger of
forcing fluid through the system in a way for which is was not designed.

With regards to the transmission flush, I would avoid it and follow the
recommendations of the other posters. Three to four fluid changes, drain
and refills, should get most of the old fluid out.

Eric

 

Dave Garrett wrote:
>
> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>

A power steering flush is a fairly common procedure. A standard
recommendation is to do it every 5 years or 50,000 miles. The procedure is
outlined in the Helm factory service manual. It uses the power steering
pump to flush the fluid and not an external machine so there is no danger of
forcing fluid through the system in a way for which is was not designed.

With regards to the transmission flush, I would avoid it and follow the
recommendations of the other posters. Three to four fluid changes, drain
and refills, should get most of the old fluid out.

Eric

 

Dave Garrett wrote:
>
> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>

A power steering flush is a fairly common procedure. A standard
recommendation is to do it every 5 years or 50,000 miles. The procedure is
outlined in the Helm factory service manual. It uses the power steering
pump to flush the fluid and not an external machine so there is no danger of
forcing fluid through the system in a way for which is was not designed.

With regards to the transmission flush, I would avoid it and follow the
recommendations of the other posters. Three to four fluid changes, drain
and refills, should get most of the old fluid out.

Eric

 

Flushing machines are cash cows at the dealers. Flushing can force
particles into valve bodies I wouldn't do it on any car. Three repeated
drains and refills over short intervals should do the trick. On for
cars with removable pans, drop and clean the pan and change the
filter/strainer.

PS flush is outlined but I'm not aware of any recommendation to do so.
What I had done was siphon the fluid out of the reservoir every other
oil change. It's not much, but quick and easy.


Dave Garrett wrote:
> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>
> Dave

 

Flushing machines are cash cows at the dealers. Flushing can force
particles into valve bodies I wouldn't do it on any car. Three repeated
drains and refills over short intervals should do the trick. On for
cars with removable pans, drop and clean the pan and change the
filter/strainer.

PS flush is outlined but I'm not aware of any recommendation to do so.
What I had done was siphon the fluid out of the reservoir every other
oil change. It's not much, but quick and easy.


Dave Garrett wrote:
> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>
> Dave

 

Flushing machines are cash cows at the dealers. Flushing can force
particles into valve bodies I wouldn't do it on any car. Three repeated
drains and refills over short intervals should do the trick. On for
cars with removable pans, drop and clean the pan and change the
filter/strainer.

PS flush is outlined but I'm not aware of any recommendation to do so.
What I had done was siphon the fluid out of the reservoir every other
oil change. It's not much, but quick and easy.


Dave Garrett wrote:
> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>
> Dave

 

Flushing machines are cash cows at the dealers. Flushing can force
particles into valve bodies I wouldn't do it on any car. Three repeated
drains and refills over short intervals should do the trick. On for
cars with removable pans, drop and clean the pan and change the
filter/strainer.

PS flush is outlined but I'm not aware of any recommendation to do so.
What I had done was siphon the fluid out of the reservoir every other
oil change. It's not much, but quick and easy.


Dave Garrett wrote:
> Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
> that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
> came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
> transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
> that both systems be flushed.
>
> I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
> dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
> fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
> still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
> auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
> against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
> anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
> it appears to be a nice profit generator?
>
> Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
> really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
> is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
> to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
> oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
> that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
> have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.
>
> Dave

 

E Meyer wrote:
> There is nothing in the service schedules for any of my cars (including the
> '06 Honda) about periodically changing power steering fluid & I've never
> changed any. I've seen this come up occasionally just in the past couple of
> years. Does anybody know what is prompting this new maintenance issue?
>
=====================================

Ummm, Dealers realized they were _mi$$ing an opportunity _ to lighten
the customer's wallet just a little more?

My be$t Gue$$

'Curly'

 

E Meyer wrote:
> There is nothing in the service schedules for any of my cars (including the
> '06 Honda) about periodically changing power steering fluid & I've never
> changed any. I've seen this come up occasionally just in the past couple of
> years. Does anybody know what is prompting this new maintenance issue?
>
=====================================

Ummm, Dealers realized they were _mi$$ing an opportunity _ to lighten
the customer's wallet just a little more?

My be$t Gue$$

'Curly'