Tag: fluids
55 Posts

Oct 20, 2016
Caring For a Truck That Sits
Mike has a pickup that spends a lot of time sitting--when it's not being borrowed. What's the best way to maintain a truck that doesn't rack up the miles?

Jan 19, 2016
Mechanic vs. Manual: When's the Right Time to Change Fluids?
Leroy can't get a straight answer on when to change the transmission fluids in his older cars. Can Car Talk set the record straight?

Sep 10, 2015
Today: Acceptable Substitutions for Transmission Fluid?
Marc wants to substitute tractor hydraulic fluid for the recommended Dextron trasmission fluid his car takes. Can Car Talk talk him out of this harebrained idea?

Sep 12, 2013
Advice for an Aspiring Steering Fluid Mixologist

Mar 05, 2013
Today: How to Join Ray's Bonehead Support Group
Tony was trying to save a buck by doing his own oil change and he accidentally drained the transmission fluid from his 2005 Toyota Sienna. And he was a few miles down the road before he realized his mistake. Now he wants to know what this boneheaded move is going to cost him. Find out Tom and Ray's predictions right here.

Feb 21, 2013
Why Is Jim's Car Running Cold?
Jim's Ford Focus runs cold downhill and normally when driving uphill. And when the engine runs cold, so does the passenger compartment. Can Tom and Ray help keep Jim from freezing his tuchus off? Find out what's going on, right here.

Oct 01, 2011
Today: Will a stuck dipstick on Ken's Subaru Loyale cause trouble?
I have a Subaru Loyale -wheel-drive wagon The transmission-fluid dipstick has broken off the cap The stem is down the fill tube beyond where I can reach it with a telescoping magnet I tried to grasp it with a long...

Sep 01, 2011
Will Lisa's big mistake lead to a crash?
I'm an idiot I just poured synthetic motor oil into my master cylinder Am I destined to crash -- Lisa RAY Well not unless you drive the car Lisa If you leave it parked you should be fine TOM It's...

Jan 01, 2011
Can malt liquor be used as an engine coolant?
Last summer, I was commuting home from work on the highway, and my 1998 Nissan Maxima started to overheat. The temperature outside was 90+. The engine started heaving, so I had to pull off the interstate and sit for a while, waiting...

Oct 01, 2010
Does Rick need a little power behind his transmission flush?
Hi, guys! I have a 2006 Toyota RAV4 that was due recently for the 60,000-mile maintenance. Toyota recommends that the transmission fluid be checked, but I told the independent shop that since it had never been changed (I bought it with...