Fluid Replacement - Good PM Practice or Waste of $$

[Pops946]

Hey, all. Got my wife a ‘23 Tahoe Premier 5.3 about 2.5 yrs ago. Just turned 30k, mix of local & highway driving. Dealer recommends replacing all the fluids at this time - transmission, power steering, brake and coolant. Think this is good preventive maintenance or the dealer extracting cash?I’m to an age where I no longer want to do this sort of work myself. Think they want about $700 for this, cabin & engine air filters and new wipers. Filters & wipers I can still do ok. Thanks for any thoughts & experience.

 

[2024 White Tahoe]

Hey, all. Got my wife a ‘23 Tahoe Premier 5.3 about 2.5 yrs ago. Just turned 30k, mix of local & highway driving. Dealer recommends replacing all the fluids at this time - transmission, power steering, brake and coolant. Think this is good preventive maintenance or the dealer extracting cash?I’m to an age where I no longer want to do this sort of work myself. Think they want about $700 for this, cabin & engine air filters and new wipers. Filters & wipers I can still do ok. Thanks for any thoughts & experience.

Read the maintenance schedule in your vehicle’s owner’’s manual (or look it up online). I always follow the severe duty schedule.

Your dealer is trying to defraud you, as your vehicle has an electronic power steering rack (no power steering fluid).

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

According to the Owner's Manual Service Schedule for Severe use (which 90% of all personal vehicles fall into) (due tot the short tripping):

Brake Fluid: every 5 Years
Transfer Case Fluid every 45,000
Transmission Fluid every 45,000
Coolant: Every 5 years or 150,000 Miles whichever comes first
Power Steering: There isn't any...its electric
Air Conditioning Desiccant: Every 7 years

I would also recommend front and rear differential at 45k miles too, but that one isn't in the owners manual.

Net, he isn't wrong about what maintenance items will need attention (although recommending power steering fluid is a bit dubious, since it is electric) but the service interval he is recommending is a little early.

 

[Pops946]

Thanks. I’ll probably go ahead and replace the air filters. We’re in an area where the spring pollen drifts like snow. Wiper blades, too. But will hold off on fluids until severe service recommended interval. Didn’t find anything about brake fluid. Do y’all recommend replacing at some point, like when brake job is needed?

 

[PPV_2018]

I will just assume that you *thought* you heard the dealer say PS fluid, since as stated it does not exist for your model. But if they actually did suggest it, it would be the last time i set foot in that dealership.

As far as the original question: It is not necessary, but replacing fluids ahead of schedule yields no negative results.. but i mean 30k is a bit early. I would probably wait until at least 50k lol

 

[Jay P Wy]

As other have said follow the severe schedule and I would also add the differentials when the transmission/transfer case is done. The only one I don't agree with is brake fluid. Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs water) so if you live in a humid climate 5 years may be too long.

 

[jfoj]

BMW and other manufacturers have typically recommended brake fluid changes every 1-2 years. As mentioned brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs water.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Thanks. I’ll probably go ahead and replace the air filters. We’re in an area where the spring pollen drifts like snow. Wiper blades, too. But will hold off on fluids until severe service recommended interval. Didn’t find anything about brake fluid. Do y’all recommend replacing at some point, like when brake job is needed?

Brake Fluid is in the Maintenance Schedule, see footnote 5 (pink oval around it)

 

[jfoj]

I would not let the brake fluid go 5 years, but at least they recommend flushing/replacing the brake fluid at 5 years.

Chances are most people will have brakes replaced in 5 years unless they barely drive the vehicle. So some brake maintenace may be performed assuming they just do not push the pistons back to put new pads on.

The other MAJOR thing you should consider is checking the brake bleeder screws and removing them and putting anti sieze compound on them. I have seem a lot of older GM brake bleeder screws that were made of crappy metal that both corroded away and also froze/rusted inside the brake caliper and either broke off or rounded off and could not be removed. I have no idea what the bleeder screws look like on these trucks and if there are any aftermarket stainless bleeder screws. Sometimes an aftermarket stainless bleeder screw is a wise investment.

Just something else to consider if you plan on keeping the vehicle and/or doing work yourself.

I think I missed the spark plug replacement on my 2005 6.0l, I think they have about 20 years and 275,000k miles on them!