No. Here's the full story, that I wrote up for others.

I had scary episode with my 15-year-old truck when the brake line from the master cylinder decided it could not hold back Michigan rust any longer as I approached a lighted intersection. Thankfully no cars were in front of me. This came only a couple days after the trucks automatic transmission did not want to shift into 2nd gear. I had lengthy chat about both issues with the seasoned mechanic at our local Goodyear store after he replaced the brake line. I began by blaming the previous owner for poor maintenance. After all, the truck only has 86,000 miles on it. I put the blame on his not changing either fluid. To my surprise this mechanic totally disagreed. He does not recommend changing either on older vehicles unless you have to. He felt new fluids dislodged the protective films on the internal parts. He claims time and again vehicles would come back for follow up service following preventive maintenance. For example, a brake fluid change can result in leaking brake cylinders later on. The situation with automatic transmission is worse. He felt it might take several thousand miles for the combined new-old mixture to work it’s evil but the outcome too often is a total transmission failure. He said they refuse to do transmission fluid changes on anything with 100,000 miles or more for that very reason. The next day I was telling this story to my barber who shared he had his truck’s transmission fluid changed at 100,000, followed by a total failure 15,000 miles later. In my case I had a filter and fluid change 30,000 miles earlier. Hum, bad move, maybe. Of course, a barber can always top one’s story. He said he has a customer who has never changed engine oil in 175,000 miles – only the filter!

 

Interesting. I'll have to ask Rick to get his co-worker's .02 on this one. They have a few guys that have been mechanics for a long time, one of whom has a few old classic cars.

 

My daughter drives a 2000 Ford Mustang with over 200k miles. Needless to say the transmission fluid, etc. has not been changed for YEARS. It DOES get oil changes regularly. However, I've told her over and over again not to change anything but the filter on the transmission. I've held to Dave's theory and believe that when a vehicle reaches late age it is better not to fiddle with whatever works. I can't believe that mustang still runs and keep my fingers crossed that it will live long enough for her to finish college and get a good job.

 

I don't know what to believe on this topic. I've changed fluids regularly on my cars, but some cars have sealed components and the manufacturer claims the lubricant will last the life of the vehicle.

When it comes to brakes, I do change the fluid no matter how old the vehicle is. If the system starts to leak, I am glad to have found a worn out part before I had an emergency situation. But obviously a full-on blow out of a line never comes at a good time.

 

I agree.

I think that fluid gunk holding it together myth started with flatheads and fords.

fltsfshr

 

I try to ignore them if at all possible - I hear new noises in the S almost daily especially with the top up. So far it's just a new noise or rattle.

 

Just turn up the radio!

 

I had forgotten about that. I can change the left right balance just by moving my left knee.