Every driver knows that regular oil changes are important, but your GMC contains many other fluids that must be checked and replaced when necessary. As your GMC dealership, we want to tell you more about some of our fluid replacement services and why changing them regularly is essential.
Coolant
Your engine works most efficiently at a temperature between 185 °F and 230 °F, but continued high temperatures are dangerous. The head gasket, which prevents the fluids in the upper and lower engine sections can crack, allowing the fluids to mix and cause serious, even permanent, engine damage. Coolant helps prevent this by absorbing engine heat and transporting it to the radiator for removal by heat exchange.
Coolant loses its effectiveness over time, allowing the engine temperature to increase. It’s usually replaced every 30,000 miles to ensure it keeps the engine from overheating. In addition, older coolant can become corrosive and damage the engine. We can replace your coolant in minutes, and if the old coolant is corrosive, we’ll drain it, flush the cooling system, and install fresh coolant.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid provides the hydraulic power that allows the brakes to work. When you hit the brakes, this pressurized fluid is forced through the hoses to the calipers. The brake fluid pushes the pins out of all four calipers simultaneously, and the calipers close on the wheel rotors. Brake pads inside the calipers generate friction, which stops the wheels.
This fluid is also usually replaced every 30,000 miles. Older brake fluid absorbs water, and if you have to brake frequently within a short time, the water can overheat and boil. The boiling water creates air bubbles that block the hoses and brake lines, preventing one or more calipers from closing. This situation also causes the brake fluid to overheat, and your brakes can fail. We drain and replace the fluid regularly to prevent this from happening.
Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid protects the transmission components from damage by surrounding them with a protective coating. This allows them to work fast and efficiently while minimizing wear and tear. This fluid also provides the hydraulic power needed to shift the gears smoothly and silently. Transmission fluid is usually changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. The correct replacement time for your GMC model is listed in your vehicle manual.
Older transmission fluid loses many of its special properties and its heat resistance. The transmission is a hot environment, and older fluid can overheat and burn. This will damage the transmission, and the burning fluid can’t supply hydraulic power, and the gears won’t shift.
If you need to replace these or any other fluids, contact us at Gerald Jones GMC in Graniteville, SC.
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