Flushes recommended by dealer - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Cincy10SSRS · 12-20-2011, 01:57 PM

We have our 2008 Cadillac SRX V6, which has virtually the same engine/transmission as the C5 auto V6's (LLT) in at the dealership for correction of an unrelated issue. It just now hit 50,000 miles and they are recommending it also get a transmission flush and coolant system flush and injector cleaning, each for about $125!
I take good care of my vehicles and don't normally cheap out on them but I don't think any of these "services" are really necessary, are they? In the owner's manual that I just pulled up online (I'm at work, not with the Caddy) GM doesn't even say these are necessary until 100K and 150k miles respectively.
I've heard in the past that the flushes can actually do more harm than good. Plus, with always buying "good" gas that has injector cleaning additive in it the injectors should be in OK shape, true or not?

Jay'SS Ride · 12-20-2011, 02:17 PM

You would have to look at the owner's manual to verify this but, transmission flush really isn't necessary until the 100k mile mark. At the earliest 75k if your driving is more harsh, but in my opinion 50k is too soon.

Cincy10SSRS · 12-20-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay'SS Ride

You would have to look at the owner's manual to verify this but, transmission flush really isn't necessary until the 100k mile mark. At the earliest 75k if your driving is more harsh, but in my opinion 50k is too soon.

Exactly, and the coolant system not until 150K miles, even according to the Cadillac owners manual. Pisses me off that this locally reputable Caddy dealership is trying to tell my wife we need to spend about $400 on services that aren't even recommded by GM for many more miles.

Rock-It Man · 12-20-2011, 02:54 PM

The service intervals are in the manual, as you found out.

Injector cleaning? I have never needed this, and I keep cars for 200,000 miles.

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 12-20-2011, 03:54 PM

cincy, if you want to lodge a formal complaint against the dealer let me know. I'll take care of it for you. I'm sorry you didn't get the service you were expecting.

Jeff Morris, Chevrolet Customer Service

Cincy10SSRS · 12-20-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Svc

cincy, if you want to lodge a formal complaint against the dealer let me know. I'll take care of it for you. I'm sorry you didn't get the service you were expecting.

Jeff Morris, Chevrolet Customer Service

I don't know how formal it has to be but it is Thomson MacConnell Cadillac, Inc., in Cincinnati. It's where we bought the SRX. Ticks you off though when a place that's been around forever and has radio and TV ads done by our longtime Reds broadcaster tries to recommend/sell your wife (she dropped it off since it's her DD) expensive services that aren't really needed or even recommended by GM itself for many more thousands of miles.

ron10 · 12-20-2011, 05:53 PM

they just want your money.

mulletman · 12-20-2011, 08:03 PM

The sad part is people that trust this dealer will have these unnecessary things done.

JDP Tech · 12-21-2011, 12:05 PM

There's usually a big difference between people who maintain their car, and people who care for their car. Of course most of this is dependent on a higher performance vehicle, but I've never even seen the maintenance section of my owners manual, and never will. GM doesn't know how I drive my car, they don't know what my fluid looks like in the future. These things are listed in there for a couple reasons, at the top of the list, to keep cost of ownership down, and a recommendation of when to do certain services, to keep their warranty intact.

That being said, the dealership doesn't know the above things either, unless they actually inspected them (which they probably didn't). They are just going off of things they have seen on other cars.

If you keep good gas (brand, not octane: no costco, maverick, walmart, etc) then you are probably fine, and don't need a fuel injection service, although adding a bottle of cleaner here and there isn't a bad idea.
They probably hit you up for a combustion chamber cleaning (might have been part of the fuel injection cleaning), if you have a catch can, then that is not really needed, but if you do not have a catch can, then it can be very helpful. The burning oil will deposit inside your engine, and can eventually cause problems.
Transmission fluid can go bad way before the 100k, or even 50k mark, depending on how you drive it. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164430
Same with differential fluid.
The manufacturers of coolant recommend changing it every 100k miles, as the different ingredients can deteriorate over time and use.

So yes, they just want your money, but its because of things they have seen in the past, from people who just maintain their cars.
Have them show you the fluid, compared to new fluid, and you make the call.

- Jeremy

MRGOODWRENCH3 · 12-21-2011, 12:06 PM

I think you guys are taking the 100K Coolant and 100K Transmission Fluid way to serious. The best way to get a automatic transmission to live is to change the fluid regularly. I do all my vehicles at 30K intervals. My dad has a Tahoe with 315K miles, original engine and transmission. It gets serviced regularly and it has lived a long life.
On my 2010 Camaro I pulled the transmission pan down at 5500 miles. The fluid was already noticeably dirty. I installed a high flow filter and used Amsoil Synthetic ATF.

Fluids break down with time and mileage. Brake fluid gets contaminated from moisture, transmission fluid gets contaminated from clutch material, etc. The dealership is in the business to make money. Recommending services does not mean they are trying to rip you off.

mulletman · 12-21-2011, 12:38 PM

I remember Mr. Goodwrench 1. He was baldheaded with black framed glasses and a pencil thin mustache. I did not trust him. You did not address the "recommended" fuel injection cleaning and antifreeze change. They are rip offs. I do not have a dog in this hunt.

JDP Tech · 12-21-2011, 01:10 PM

If you use crap gas, fuel injection service can be absolutely worth it (again brand, octane has nothing to do with it). I've seen many a car that had problems due to dirty/clogged fuel injectors, and were cleaned up with this type of service. Care for it and it won't happen.
Antifreeze is good for 5 yrs or 100k miles, after that, it is not protecting your engine like it is designed.... Sure it will keep the engine temperature down still, but again, if you like your car, you gotta care for it.

- Jeremy

clg_98ta · 12-21-2011, 02:04 PM

IMO, AT flushes are optional. One thing I've consistently heard is either do them every 30K miles, or don't do them at all. Something about problems caused when old fluid (i.e. > 50K miles) is flushed.

wrt coolant, if you're running DexCool, you MUST flush it after 5 years regardless of mileage. It breaks down and forms sludge after 5 years. Google "dexcool class action" if you don't believe me.

phantomblackgto · 12-21-2011, 10:16 PM

AT flushes involve high pressure which can cause older vehicles to begin leaking. I'm guessing that's probably what you are talking about. It's still a good idea to drop the pan, change the filter and top off with new fluid every 30-50K. That's all I've ever done to any AT vehicle I've ever owned and never had an issue. My '75 Monte Carlo had over 300K on it when it finally died in a demolition derby (and that was the engine, not the transmission).

12-20-2011, 01:57 PM	#1
Cincy10SSRS Drives: 2010 2SS RS M6 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati area Posts: 1,522	Flushes recommended by dealer We have our 2008 Cadillac SRX V6, which has virtually the same engine/transmission as the C5 auto V6's (LLT) in at the dealership for correction of an unrelated issue. It just now hit 50,000 miles and they are recommending it also get a transmission flush and coolant system flush and injector cleaning, each for about $125! I take good care of my vehicles and don't normally cheap out on them but I don't think any of these "services" are really necessary, are they? In the owner's manual that I just pulled up online (I'm at work, not with the Caddy) GM doesn't even say these are necessary until 100K and 150k miles respectively. I've heard in the past that the flushes can actually do more harm than good. Plus, with always buying "good" gas that has injector cleaning additive in it the injectors should be in OK shape, true or not? Last edited by Cincy10SSRS; 12-20-2011 at 02:16 PM.

12-20-2011, 02:17 PM	#2
Jay'SS Ride Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37S Join Date: May 2011 Location: SacTown Posts: 236	You would have to look at the owner's manual to verify this but, transmission flush really isn't necessary until the 100k mile mark. At the earliest 75k if your driving is more harsh, but in my opinion 50k is too soon. __________________ Sold but not forgotten

12-21-2011, 02:04 PM	#13
clg_98ta Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,698 View My Garage	IMO, AT flushes are optional. One thing I've consistently heard is either do them every 30K miles, or don't do them at all. Something about problems caused when old fluid (i.e. > 50K miles) is flushed. wrt coolant, if you're running DexCool, you MUST flush it after 5 years regardless of mileage. It breaks down and forms sludge after 5 years. Google "dexcool class action" if you don't believe me. __________________ Black 2SS ordered 1/4/2010, received 2/19/2010

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12-20-2011, 02:54 PM	#4
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	The service intervals are in the manual, as you found out. Injector cleaning? I have never needed this, and I keep cars for 200,000 miles.

12-20-2011, 03:54 PM	#5
Chevrolet Customer Svc Drives: GM Vehicles Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,327	cincy, if you want to lodge a formal complaint against the dealer let me know. I'll take care of it for you. I'm sorry you didn't get the service you were expecting. Jeff Morris, Chevrolet Customer Service

12-20-2011, 05:53 PM	#7
ron10 Drives: 2010 2SS IOM L99 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: LOUISVILLE,KY.. Posts: 7,545	they just want your money.

12-20-2011, 08:03 PM	#8
mulletman Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: southern Illinois trailer park Posts: 636	The sad part is people that trust this dealer will have these unnecessary things done.

12-21-2011, 12:05 PM	#9
JDP Tech Drives: 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS/RS 429 LSX/F1X Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sandy, UT Posts: 429	There's usually a big difference between people who maintain their car, and people who care for their car. Of course most of this is dependent on a higher performance vehicle, but I've never even seen the maintenance section of my owners manual, and never will. GM doesn't know how I drive my car, they don't know what my fluid looks like in the future. These things are listed in there for a couple reasons, at the top of the list, to keep cost of ownership down, and a recommendation of when to do certain services, to keep their warranty intact. That being said, the dealership doesn't know the above things either, unless they actually inspected them (which they probably didn't). They are just going off of things they have seen on other cars. If you keep good gas (brand, not octane: no costco, maverick, walmart, etc) then you are probably fine, and don't need a fuel injection service, although adding a bottle of cleaner here and there isn't a bad idea. They probably hit you up for a combustion chamber cleaning (might have been part of the fuel injection cleaning), if you have a catch can, then that is not really needed, but if you do not have a catch can, then it can be very helpful. The burning oil will deposit inside your engine, and can eventually cause problems. Transmission fluid can go bad way before the 100k, or even 50k mark, depending on how you drive it. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164430 Same with differential fluid. The manufacturers of coolant recommend changing it every 100k miles, as the different ingredients can deteriorate over time and use. So yes, they just want your money, but its because of things they have seen in the past, from people who just maintain their cars. Have them show you the fluid, compared to new fluid, and you make the call. - Jeremy

12-21-2011, 12:06 PM	#10
MRGOODWRENCH3 Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Park City, Utah Posts: 670 View My Garage	I think you guys are taking the 100K Coolant and 100K Transmission Fluid way to serious. The best way to get a automatic transmission to live is to change the fluid regularly. I do all my vehicles at 30K intervals. My dad has a Tahoe with 315K miles, original engine and transmission. It gets serviced regularly and it has lived a long life. On my 2010 Camaro I pulled the transmission pan down at 5500 miles. The fluid was already noticeably dirty. I installed a high flow filter and used Amsoil Synthetic ATF. Fluids break down with time and mileage. Brake fluid gets contaminated from moisture, transmission fluid gets contaminated from clutch material, etc. The dealership is in the business to make money. Recommending services does not mean they are trying to rip you off.

12-21-2011, 12:38 PM	#11
mulletman Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: southern Illinois trailer park Posts: 636	I remember Mr. Goodwrench 1. He was baldheaded with black framed glasses and a pencil thin mustache. I did not trust him. You did not address the "recommended" fuel injection cleaning and antifreeze change. They are rip offs. I do not have a dog in this hunt.

12-21-2011, 01:10 PM	#12
JDP Tech Drives: 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS/RS 429 LSX/F1X Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sandy, UT Posts: 429	If you use crap gas, fuel injection service can be absolutely worth it (again brand, octane has nothing to do with it). I've seen many a car that had problems due to dirty/clogged fuel injectors, and were cleaned up with this type of service. Care for it and it won't happen. Antifreeze is good for 5 yrs or 100k miles, after that, it is not protecting your engine like it is designed.... Sure it will keep the engine temperature down still, but again, if you like your car, you gotta care for it. - Jeremy

12-21-2011, 10:16 PM	#14
phantomblackgto Drives: 2011 Summit White V6 RS Coupe Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 10	AT flushes involve high pressure which can cause older vehicles to begin leaking. I'm guessing that's probably what you are talking about. It's still a good idea to drop the pan, change the filter and top off with new fluid every 30-50K. That's all I've ever done to any AT vehicle I've ever owned and never had an issue. My '75 Monte Carlo had over 300K on it when it finally died in a demolition derby (and that was the engine, not the transmission).