I got my oil changed today and they recommended fuel injection service, transmission fluid and radiator fluid change. I have a 2000 Honda Accord with 62,500 miles. I had my transmission and radiator fluid changed at 43,000 miles and never had my fuel injection serviced. My mechanic said I didn't need it yet, but the Honda dealer and Grease and Go say I do. Should I just get my fuel injectors cleaned and hold off on the two fluids?
How often to change fluids?
- Thread starter twopu
- Start date
White95Max
New member
I don't think fuel injection service is really necessary. Most gasoline contains ethanol, which will clean the injectors continuously. You can also buy fuel injector cleaner at the local store for a couple bucks, and dump that in your tank if you want.
I changed the Maxima's coolant/antifreeze every two years, and I changed the Protege's manual tranny fluid to synthetic last fall. I just bought the car in July, and I believe it hadn't been changed since 2002. I don't think I'll change the tranny fluid again, because I'll probably be selling the car in a couple years, for a Mazda6s or similar vehicle.
I changed the Maxima's coolant/antifreeze every two years, and I changed the Protege's manual tranny fluid to synthetic last fall. I just bought the car in July, and I believe it hadn't been changed since 2002. I don't think I'll change the tranny fluid again, because I'll probably be selling the car in a couple years, for a Mazda6s or similar vehicle.
imported_Neothin
New member
I haven't had the tC long enough to really figure out any of fluid change intervals, but I think ill replace trans fluid @ 30,000, oil every 3,000, radiator fluid 1x a year (the summers here put a strain on the cooling system, rather safe than sorry), throw a bottle of fuel system cleaner 2x a year, change the fuel filter 1x a year, ummm brake fluid idk, anything else that i missed?
Wasatch
New member
When I had my injector's clean, they also clean the throtle body and the MAF which is nice.
twopu said:
i dont know bout the fuel injection service, many ppl think its a gimmick. to clean the injectors like the *claim* to, they would have to remove them = alot of work. I agree, rather change your fuel filter and add some fuel injection cleaner which you can buy at any auto store, just follow the label any maybe buy a funnel to minimze spills :furious: as for the coolant change you can wait 10k. Keep in mind that flushing your coolant is alot more effective than draining and filling, so if they dont hook up your car to a machine they are not flushing and you so drain and fills should be done more regularly. I bet you noticed a huge difference when you changed the tranny fluid :grinno: it really helps.anyways I tend to do the following when it comes to fluids
radiator flush - 6 months
coolant drain(complete engine) - every yearly
oil - 3k miles (synthetic)
brake fluid - (yearly)
clutch fluid - (yearly)
power steering - (yearly)
manual tranny fluid - (yearly)
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Holy crap, jchetty...radiator flush every 6 mos??? Most cars it's 2 years or 30 months/24,000 miles, something like that...my Acura says 10 years (!). I personally think injector cleaning is a gimmick, but I really only have long term experience with GM cars; I would recommend some Techron first (if you are actually having problems, or maybe as a preventative service if you're not).
imported_flatstick
New member
Neothin said:
Dude what kind of oil are you using that you change at 3,000 ? take a trip over to BITOG and see that the 3,000 oil change is a thing of the past with todays modern oils. one thing you will learn at BITOG is that all oil filters are not created equal, they have done extensive testing on them and you will be suprised what the results were. also I would get an UOA ( used oil analysis) to get you started on you OCIS ( oil change intervals) as far as the tranny 30,000- 50,000 is the norm, unless you are towing a lot. I have not heard about any differentials being changed here.... hope people are doing that, especially if you have a new car with all the break in shavings in the rear :nono
I hate those oil change shops, they are always trying to con you into more than you need. The one I used to go to told me I needed a radiator flush because my fluid was brownish. Well, I actually did a radiator flush on the truck and filled it with new fluid 30 minutes before I went for my oil change. I never went back. Just do what the manufacturer recommends and you will be fine. And don't go for that fuel injector service crap. In all of my cars I have had an injector go bad and it was on a ZX2 that had more problems than anything. Your Honda will go 300,000 miles without needed any sort of fuel injector service. 
Setec Astronomy said:
one is 6month old the other is year old antifreeze :think: i did mine and a friend who was over asked me to do theirs, i couldnt say no. some cars take that orange antifreeze which supposedly lasts longer..i wonder if that to is a gimmick..hmmm :nixweiss
***edit***as for the frequent changing of fluids i do my own oil changes. :clap: and when the car is on jackstands i might as well changing the tranny fluid...tranny fluid change takes me all but 6 minutes tops, the hardest thing is filling it. and for oil changes, better safe than sorry, kinda of like how someppl ask me why I wash my car at least weekly or why i wax it monthly....i say im an autopia :grinno: the craziest thing is radiator flushes on my car, i dont need to put it on jackstands
, that takes bout 10 minutes topsSetec Astronomy
Well-known member
Danase said:
Don't get me started, I was busy and didn't feel like messing with the brakes on my car, so I went to [insert name of national tire mfr/service chain] and told them that I wanted the brakes done. So I'm sitting there waiting and I see my car drive by and out into the street. So I ask the guy at the counter what's going on, and he says that it's standard for them to take the car for a test drive before they work on it--so I tell him I know it needs brakes, and I just want to get that done, and they don't need to be checking out my car beforehand; he told me that's just their normal practice. So the car comes back, they put it on the lift, and tell me I need brakes (duh), and oh, by the way, when the technician was driving my car, he noticed that the windshield wipers needed to be replaced (it was a completely dry, sunny summer day, and of course the wipers were fine anyway). I just looked at the guy and said "You're kidding, right? I come in here for brakes and you're trying to sell me windshield wipers? Do people really fall for that? No, I don't want windshield wipers." He was basically speechless. (Before you guys start on me, I know that's a standard upsell, but please, they should save that for the housewives, it's not going to work on me)
Oh...and I generally try to stick to the standard drain interval even when using Mobil 1, both for warranty purposes, and because I look at it as an extra insurance policy...I don't put a lot of miles on my cars, so the extra cost isn't a huge amount of dollars for the added peace of mind.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
jchetty said:
Is that the same brand antifreeze? And from the same car? I have noticed in the past that different brands can have markedly different colors.
imported_flatstick
New member
Danase said:
Well that is your choice but to be honest, not busting you chops but you really can not tell if an oil is used up by the color of it. however I use a UOA to tell me where I stand on an oils properties. it also found an intake manifold leak that would not have been found otherwise. saved my motor so for me it works. to each their own, whatever works for you. as long as yous are happy doing that how could one argue, it is your car after all :bigups
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Flatstick, you really can't overemphasize the value of finding a coolant leak or a stuck/leaky fuel injector by UOA. That being said, UOA is really a hardcore tool for serious motorheads, it's like trying to tell your neighbor he should wax his car every month.
Setec Astronomy said:
yeah i agree :spot they try to upsell, you'd be suprised on how often they can get ppl
most ppl dont know to much bout cars, when the last time someone went to a major electronics store to purchase a $100+ tv and not be **pressured** to ge the exteneded warranty which usually isnt worth the paper its worth on :chuckle: and yeah i hate hate....can i say hate again when ppl say oh you shouldnt change your oil every 3k miles :argue i mean if you put 2k miles a year on a car you shouldnt change the oil at least yearly :think2 i put 12k miles a year on my car so i do think changing my oil + filter at least 4 times a year is good idea :sign and please dont take it the wrong way that is not directed at no one here, someone was yelling at me because i wasnt being enviromentally friendly 
driving and mileage arent the only thing that causes oil to wear
Bill D
Hooked For Life
All this talk of fluid changes has me reaching for my oil ( and other fluid) extractor 
. I have seperate hoses for each type of fluid and boy, does it help! It can get every last drop of coolant out of the recovery tank and brake fluid from its reservoir.
. I have seperate hoses for each type of fluid and boy, does it help! It can get every last drop of coolant out of the recovery tank and brake fluid from its reservoir.**edit***used wrong quote earlier
yeah the same i only useprestone...i cant believe ppl buy the premix :sadpace: .. i mean if you gonna do it urself than buy 2 gallons of distilled water, one to mix to make 2 gallon of antifreeze and 1 gallon to flush. yeah i will give you 2 guesses who changed the entire fluid (block as well), his names starts with j and ends with chetty :chuckle:
Setec Astronomy said:
yeah the same i only useprestone...i cant believe ppl buy the premix :sadpace: .. i mean if you gonna do it urself than buy 2 gallons of distilled water, one to mix to make 2 gallon of antifreeze and 1 gallon to flush. yeah i will give you 2 guesses who changed the entire fluid (block as well), his names starts with j and ends with chetty :chuckle:
Bill D
Hooked For Life
J :wavey,
Yep, I stocked up on the original Prestone last year and now all they sell is this extended mix and/or premix stuff. Until I learn otherwise, and I searched BITOG extensively last time I drained, I have great reservations about starting to use this stuff in my car that has ben seeing the old stuff for 16 years.
My understanding is the the off brand, car parts store label coolants are still the old kind.
Yep, I stocked up on the original Prestone last year and now all they sell is this extended mix and/or premix stuff. Until I learn otherwise, and I searched BITOG extensively last time I drained, I have great reservations about starting to use this stuff in my car that has ben seeing the old stuff for 16 years.
My understanding is the the off brand, car parts store label coolants are still the old kind.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
What??? You can't buy Prestone undiluted now? Oh...you mean you can't buy the "traditional" stuff, only the green 5 year stuff...I read about it...seemed ok to me, seemed like they updated their additive package to be more in line with the current thinking on cooling system life, which was to move away from the silicates.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
jchetty said:
Well, I would never be changing mine twice a year, but if it only takes you 10 minutes like you say, and I can't argue with your overall maintenance plan, your car looks like it is still in the showroom--no cleaner than the showroom! (from your pictures a month or two ago) I also have done the routine with taking out the drain plugs in the block...but I have to confess it's been a while since I've done that.