Hi all, I'm trying to bring my rx back to life, been sitting for a few years since a mechanic said it wasn't worth fixing (and it turned out just to be the alternator). So, some of the fluids are really old, and some were changed a few years ago before the vehicle went into nonoperation. I just want to know which fluids are necessary to change and which aren't. I did already run the vehicle with the current fluids to see if it's working or not, but am hesitant to drive it more as I could damage something. I know often theoretical knowledge also doesn't play out practically speaking (for example how brake fluid should be changed every two years but people who've never changed it in 20 years don't have problems).

 

Changing fluids also does not gaurantee no problems, but it lets one sleep easy.

I would never re-use any fluid due to contamination concerns and if the work is being done at no cost might as well replace it and reset its clock.

The fluids I would replace are the ones that go through a chemical/physical change and they are engine oil and brake fluid. Brake fluid absorbs moisture and engine oil has gathered combustion bye products and can react with the metal parts.

Battery is another that gets chemically altered, but you would know if is holding charge and very few people even try to drain and refill and properly dispose old.

Most overlooked are the tires. Please check the date of manufacture and make sure that the manufacturer says it is ok to use that old tires.

Personal suggestion would be to break in the vehicle with controlled rpm/speed and bumps etc. The rubber bushings develop memory and can tear with extreme rapid changes.

Salim

 

does this mean you also wouldn't use unopened engine oil and brake fluid bottles that are like 10 years old? i would've thought engine oil is the most durable while coolant is the most fragile.

 

Transmission fluid does go bad by just sitting especially after the container is opened motor oil seems more resistance to this. Brake fluid has no expiration date if unopened but don't think I would use any if it was around 3+ years old.