Maintenance

[Padlin]

While in Phoenix over the winter I stopped at a Ford dealer for an oil change on my F150 Ecoboost. During check out, after the 90 minute job, they mumbled that I was due for a Brake System Flush, a Fuel System Flush, and a Coolant System Flush, $200-$250 each. After mumbling back that they were out of there mind I left.

The only one I ever heard of was the coolant flush, which Ford says is due at 100k. So I goggled the others and they do indeed exist, and are recommended by the web sites I visited. I have 70K on the 2012, about 30K of towing. The Scheduled Maintenance Guide for truck says nothing about these flushes, other then the coolant.

Do any of you folks have a brake or fuel system flush done? if so how often?

Figure I'll have the coolant done before next winters trip, and maybe the tranny although Ford says 150k for that one, but the rest?

[coolmom42]

Follow the schedule in your owner's manual for a vehicle in heavy service (if there is a different schedule) since you are towing.

If there is not a heavy service schedule, and you tow very much, do the tranny fluid flush at 2x the recommended intervals. Do the other things at recommended intervals.

Run some Seafoam through the fuel system about 2X/yr.

Don't believe what the dealer service departments try to sell you.

[riven1950]

I have a 2013 F150 ECO, 42000 miles, 25 percent towing. I am getting the same type of recommendations and in addition a fuel induction service. Maybe the same as your fuel system flush. I have to check and see what a fuel induction service is.

BTW my F150 was covered under a recall for the brake master cylinder. It was replaced in the last year so I guess that should take care of brake fluid service?? You might want to check and see if yours was in on that recall.

I plan to do the coolant and tranny but not till I get more miles on mine.

[kohai]

My FIL was a VW mechanic. He said here in Utah we don't get water in the brake lines but the recommended maintenance is for places much more humid. He said mechanics can check the quality of the fluid. He said he almost never had to service it in Utah but he said other mechanics he worked with would talk customers into it just because it was a way to make money.

[rhagfo]

Coolant Yes,

Brake Fluid, When brake pads are replaced, rebuild calipers and flush with fresh fluid.

Fuel system, just use good fuel!!!

[Me_Again]

The service writer is not your friend. They are there to make money for the service department and dealer. Most get kickers for the extras they can sell you.

[lenr]

Fuel system flush--who are they kidding? Don't you do that every time you fill your tank???

[lenr]

In the good old days, a good brake job would have included bleeding some brake fluid out at the wheel cylinders to insure that no air had gotten into the brake lines. Then new fluid added to keep the master cylinder up to level would have freshened the fluid in the system eliminating the need for a total system flush. Now days it's just slap on new pads and rotors and send you out the door, so a flush at 100,000 - 150,000 miles would probably be a good idea IMHO. In 47 years of car and truck ownership I've had one brake line go out at 170,000 mi--the dealer recommendation at 70K was over kill.

[DownTheAvenue]

Remember, service facilities at dealerships are as much a profit center for that dealership as the sales department. Also remember, that the service writers work on commission of sales, and the technicians are only paid for the work they perform (which basically is commission), so they are highly motivated to encourage you to have additional work performed.

[RAS43]

RedRocket204 wrote:
What is listed as scheduled maintenance in your manual that came with the truck?

Exactly! My Ford manual does mention coolant and brake flushes but not a fuel flush, whatever that is.

[Padlin]

RedRocket204 wrote:
What is listed as scheduled maintenance in your manual that came with the truck?

There is no mention of a brake or fuel system flushes. 100k for coolant, 50k thereafter. 150k for tranny, and front axle.

[jfkmk]

Brake fluid flush is generally recommended every three years in the owner manuals I have for my vehicles. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air, which can boil, reducing braking and damaging brake components. There are relatively cheap testing tools you can use to measure the moisture in your brake fluid.

I'm not sure of a fuel system flush.

[brulaz]

My 2005 VW recommended a brake system flush every 5 years.
Our previous, ancient van had the brake system rot out, the mechanic said a flush would have prevented that.

But neither of our new vehicles have any recommendations.
Maybe things have changed? Better brake fluid? Stainless steel brake lines?

[RedRocket204]

What is listed as scheduled maintenance in your manual that came with the truck?

[Trackrig]

I keep my vehicles almost for ever. On my 1983 truck, the radiator and some other items had to be changed out because I never flushed the cooling system and replaced the antifreeze. I now believe in it and do it in all of my vehicles.

Bill