When to change fluids in a Z06?

[SWO]

I bought a 2003 Z06 this Spring that now has 24,000 miles. I don't believe any of the fluids except for the oil have ever been changed. I think the owners manual recommends changes after a certain amount of mileage, not time past. How critical is it to change the coolant & other fluids in a relatively low mileage 8 year old car like mine? A local mechanic told me to wait to change the coolant until I need a new water pump, but I don't know if that is correct.

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by SWO

I bought a 2003 Z06 this Spring that now has 24,000 miles. I don't believe any of the fluids except for the oil have ever been changed. I think the owners manual recommends changes after a certain amount of mileage, not time past. How critical is it to change the coolant & other fluids in a relatively low mileage 8 year old car like mine? A local mechanic told me to wait to change the coolant until I need a new water pump, but I don't know if that is correct.

I would change the coolant now so that I may not have to replace a waterpump in the future. Eight years is a long time to leave coolant in, I would change it out. I would do all the fluids front to rear including power steering and brake fluids if it were mine. GM is in the business of selling vehicles, so their fluid interval changes are either very long or non existent to lower the overall cost of vehicle ownership, as are all the manufacturers now. I am in the business of repairing and maintaining vehicles, so I have a much different view of the subject. Good luck with your choices. :)

[jtward]

Originally Posted by LLC5

I would change the coolant now so that I may not have to replace a waterpump in the future. Eight years is a long time to leave coolant in, I would change it out. I would do all the fluids front to rear including power steering and brake fluids if it were mine. GM is in the business of selling vehicles, so their fluid interval changes are either very long or non existent to lower the overall cost of vehicle ownership, as are all the manufacturers now. I am in the business of repairing and maintaining vehicles, so I have a much different view of the subject. Good luck with your choices. :)

I have to agree with LLC5, when my 2003 reached the five year mark, I took it in and had the DexCool drained,flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Likewise we flushed out the brake fluid with new, and the differential fluid was changed. The Automatic transmission fluid is good to about 50 thousand miles, but if you have a 6 speed, you must change the clutch fluid, it needs to be changed at the minimum of once a year. If you do a lot of city driving, twice a year. You can't believe the heat and pressure the clutch fluid is under. The GM master tech who does the State inspection and oil and filter change on my 2003 told me that 4 out of ten clutch jobs he gets are fixed by just flushing the fluid out of the system, or just a slave cylinder but the clutch is fine. But it's always best to spend the small amount on fluid changes than say pulling out the clutch and pressure plate. that takes a lot of man hours and is very expensive.

There use to be a oil company that had a commercial that had a mechanic holding a quart of motor oil, and a banner over his head saying "Pay me now, or pay me later!" indicating the car in the background and is smoking to make the statement. But it is very true. Spending $60.00 to flush out the clutch system is a lot cheaper than replacing the clutch. All the other fluids are the same story.

[Boeingdriver]

A great post and totally appropriate for my '03 Z with 24k. I keep everything else changed and fresh but have never flushed the clutch slave. Is there a DIYS link to this procedure? I understand that it is involved but I'd like to consider it rather than go to the dealer. Thanks.

[Boeingdriver]

After this post I researched the fluid change procedure. I just needed to refresh my memory on this.

[JBsZ06]

I agree..5 years on dexcool....same for brake fluid...

the clutch fluid I have switched out every two years...

Low mileage preowned vehicles are great but changing the fluid is on a timetable as opposed to mileage ......IMO

Enjoy that beautiful car!

JB