I went into EZ Lube today to get a oil change and they mentioned to me that I need to change my rear differential oil and also my flush out my driving steering fluid....when is the correct time to change out both of these componets?

I am just about to hit 80,000 miles on a 05 any other recommendations that I should change in the near future?


Thanks alot!

 

I just took a quick review of my '07 Ford 'Scheduled Maintenance Guide' and I found where they recommend changing 2wd rearend fluid at 150k miles. I believe they use a synthetic fluid so unless you do lots of towing you can probably get away with going that long. I changed mine at 100k tho.

I could not find any reference on changing power steering fluid. But I like to suction out old fluid with a turkey baster around 30K. I remove all the fluid, refill, drive around neighborhood for a while then repeat process until fluid looks clean. I guess you could remove the 'return line' and insert it into a bottle and have someone run the car, and rotate wheel and then let engine pump old oil out as you add fluid at same time.

 

Me personally i change my rear diff oil every 15k my power sterring fluid on the other hand about every 30K i would just do it anyway its not that hard and it wouldnt hurt and its not that expensive the gear oil is like 5$ a quart

 

rear diff oil every 15k is extremely excessive... sure, it wont hurt, and is surely good for it, but how dirty can it really get in that short a time?

i could see every 50k, but 15... you own the used cars that people only dream of buying..

 

What's wrong with that?!

I need to change mine... it's at 33k and I know it needs it. :o

 

You're wasting your money. Today's gear oils are designed to last much longer than 15K.

 

well i do alot of off roading you would be surprised how nasty it is everytime i change it

 

Well if you are submerging the rear end in water/mud, then I could see the need for changing that often.

 

That was an important point, too important to leave out.

 

makes sence now...

when ever i go in water over my axles, be it on a quad, truck, golf cart, i always check or change my gear oil.... it is well worth it in that scenario to just change it out rather then drive 50,000 miles with the pumpkin full of water....

i might even do it sooner if you do a lot of water crossings....

but to the average person who doesnt leave pavement, don't think you need to change it anywhere near that often...

 

The only time you need to change the differential oil is when it is contaminated or it has been subjected to severe duty for a long period of time. The only time you need to change the PS fluid is if it gets contaminated. You are being sold a bill of goods. If you fall for it, they will know you are a good target and sell you blinker fluid or windshield wiper treatment next time.

I've been driving for 47 years and have never changed either without contamination and have never had a problem. Many of my vehicles had far over 100,000 miles on them. there is a reason there is not a specified change interval for them.

 

yeah but here is my point agian, it wouldnt hurt to do it anyway, new fluids are always good, so you can avoid sludge and build up and it makes people feel better when they know they have new fluids in their vehicles

 

Of course it 'wouldnt hurt to do it anyway.'

wouldn't hurt to replace your tires every 10,000 miles.
wouldn't hurt to replace your head lights every year.
wouldn't hurt to replace your breaks every 10,000 miles.
wouldn't hurt to top the gas off every morning.
wouldn't hurt to top off the windshield washer every Saturday.
wouldn't hurt to wash it daily.
wouldn't hurt to check your tire pressure every time you drive it.
wouldn't hurt to trade it in for a new one every year.

 

wouldnt hurt

 

No they are not ripping you off. Gear oil is usually changed every 60-100k. Go with synthetic gear oil.

Power steering doesn't have to be changed. But I'd still do it atleast every 100k to extend the life of the pump and keep it from whining. Ask them how they change it. Would be worthless to pay someone to change if they are just changing the fluid in the reservoir, and not all the fluid.