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Are “Lifetime” Fluids as Scary as They Seem?
The hands of the clock only move forward, and that means many cars that were once merely daily drivers are beginning to transition into the liminal space between used car lots and pampered garages. These cars come with different challenges and quirks compared to the cars of previous generations. One that you have likely heard of is “lifetime fluids.” Are these a good thing, a bad thing, or somewhere in between?
The root of the confusion often traces to the definition of “lifetime.” Whose lifetime, what lifetime, is being referred to? Often the lifetime designation is given to a fluid placed into a sealed system, leaving no opportunity for service without disassembly or damage. As cars have progressed and evolved over the years, many parts, pieces, and service techniques have faded from pages of service manuals. When was the last time a new car needed to go back to the service department for a valve adjustment?
But not all such advancement has been so widely accepted. Here are three examples of assemblies that may state the fluid inside is “lifetime,” along with why or why not that may be an acceptable solution to the problem.
Transmissions
Transmission fluid takes a beating, but compared to engine, oil transmission fluid lives a pampered life. Transmissions get sealed up better than engines and have fewer entry points for dirt and debris, along with not having the byproducts of combustion to muck up the oil. There are wear items in transmissions sure, but modern materials and manufacturing processes have reduced the amount of debris built into new units while also preventing items like gears or clutches from shedding material that would foul the oil.
Transfer Cases and Differentials
Most transfer cases and differentials are relatively simple power-transfer arrangements involving gears or chains. Similar to transmissions, material science enables these parts to be more durable than they once were. Additionally, the additive packages in modern oils make them last longer than ever, since the oil tolerates and protects from heat and shear better than it used to do. Finally, these units are just sealed better than they used to be, which offers greater prevention of contamination of their oils.
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So What Does This Really Boil Down To?
The definition of “lifetime.” People like me, which is likely you as well, see vehicles as something more than a means of transportation. The reality is that no car lasts forever when used as designed but not maintained. Maintenance schedules have evolved significantly, but so have the needs and life expectancy of vehicles. It is very possible for a modern car to outlast an older one when used and serviced similarly.
In a world where all major car companies are shareholder-driven and therefore the line on the stock chart must progress vertically up the Y axis just as it trudges along the X axis, machine work and extra parts that are required to be put in place during manufacturing are the pennies that make dollars, eroding profit margins. Considering the majority of vehicle owners view their vehicle as an appliance, the exchange of serviceability and ability to keep a vehicle running indefinitely is not a priority.
Is that fluid good for your lifetime? Probably not. It’s one thing for manufacturers to say that some fluids are “lifetime,” but it’s another to remove the ability for owners to easily check the levels and condition of those fluids. It’s good to know what’s going on in your car. That said, there are certainly unwitting owners out there who there who might do more harm than good by topping off with incorrect fluids, so it’s clear that carmakers know that some people need to be protected from themselves.
We as car faithful, however, will likely figure out workarounds to service vehicles and assemblies that need work, just as we have for over a century. And as we charge further into the 21st century, it’s also likely that cars will be more made reliable and dependable from the factory, without the need to obsess over each fluid.
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To be honest I see few life time fluids. Most MFGs use oils and anti freeze that still have some expiration date.
Now their are some fluids that are extended life and most work.
In the case of Transmissions. the old style fluids were great and even with the recommended changes many people say not to change them as often the new fliids cam tale worn transmissions and do some damage. If the transmission is in good order they will be ok but worn they can finish it off.
But on new transmission fluids today they will absorbed moisture and create the shudder many are experiencing.
As for anti Freeze like Dex Cool it has an expiration date.
Oils are a little longer but they still need changed.
Anti Freeze. Even Dexcool has a change date.
Most transfer cases need changed.
As for some transmissions too. while it may not have a dip stick you still can change them.
The most common areas for life time are ball joints and or hub bearings that are sealed. Not much you can do but replace them.
I watch The Car Care Nut on YouTube and he recommends oil and filter changes at 5,000 miles. ALL other fluids at 50,000 miles with the transmission just a simple “Drain and Fill” with the OEM fluid. Some shops only do a flush so find one that will do a drain and flush.
Wow, go to the mavericktruckclub.com. I’ve been there for a year and that’s all they debate about! Everybody has a different opinion on fluid changes!
I am going through this right now.
I just had the dealership “power flush” new transmission fluid into my wife’s 2018 Camry V6 at 45,000 miles.
I need this car to last at least 15 years for her.
I just replaced the manual transmission oil in my 2004 Boxster S for the second time at 85,000 miles. And I am replacing the engine coolant right now as I install CSF all aluminum radiators. “While I’m in there”, I am installing a power steering cooler and replacing the power steering fluid for the second time in ten years.
I change my engine oil every 5,000 miles or six months, no matter how I have been driving. And I send an oil sample off for analysis each time to monitor the internals.
One reason I bought this car, was that it was the last Porsche with an engine oil dipstick.
I want to see it and smell it.
Cheers.
Prayers for your wife’s Camry. Power flush can do more harm than good more often than not. Most experts advise against a true power flush in nearly every application. It’s possible that the dealer is using that term loosely.
I agree. Power flushing transmission fluid can drive small dirt and metal particles into small passageways in the transmission that can cause failure.
I agree with you. Had that conversation with a son-in-law when he was contemplating doing that on a sport p/u truck with a little over 100K that he had owned for a few years. He went ahead and had it done anyways. Replacement tranny was 3 months later.
I had a transmission power flushed before a long road trip. I was trying to be proactive as the thought of breaking down with my family aboard in the Southwest desert and many miles from home was troubling.
The transmission failed on that trip and wound up costing me $2500 (many years ago) at a garage in Flagstaff, AZ.
I have never had a power flush done since and have never experienced a transmission failure.
Prayers for the Camry.
Love the last sentence and I concur!
“I want to see it and smell it!”
Boxter Fan, Don’t sweat the comments about your wife’s Camry and the dangers of the Toyota “Power Flush”. I had it done on my sealed transmission/ lifetime fluid 4runner at 115,000 miles and now I’m at 170,000 and it shifts like the day I got it. I’m going to have it done again soon.
Oh, I also replace my brake fluid every two years.
But what about blinker fluid??? 😉
If you live in Alabama or California, Blinker Fluid will last forever because it gets no usage! The light bulbs weep electronic tears because they don’t feel loved!
I also believe that, so i do the same every 2 years.
By riding mountain bikes, it became clear that brake fluid quality lowers fast. In 1 (max. 2) years it needs to be replaced. And then you see it is dirty grey, brakes are getting soft.
Brake fluid is one thing 90% of people ignore.
I see people argue over oil like a religion and they test etc. But ask them if they have checked the brake fluid or checked anti freeze condition is it’s crickets.
You really can test these easy as they make cheap strips that can tell you the true condition on these two fluids and if you really should change them. No need to go by time as you can go by true condition.
When I got my Corvette I had little idea when or if anything was done. I tested the brake fluid and did a flush asap. The Antifreeze tested new. I changed oil as the car had only 1600 miles in 8 years and one change 3 years ago.
I did the Rear diff change and the Transmission was still in good shape.
This got me to a good base line so I know where the car is and I can document it from here.
I keep a note book on each car as to what work was done and the history of the car. On my show car I put even more history and even the magazine stories for car event. These documents add value to a car should you ever sell it.
BMW used to specify changing Transmission & Differential Oils at certain intervals. Then they decided that fluid changes would now be covered while the vehicle was under warranty. Now that they were paying, magically at the same time, those same fluids became “lifetime”.
Extended Life yes, Lifetime no. Today’s synthetics are head and shoulders above what they used to be. However it’s just changing out fluids so…pretty hard to ‘F’ up. I just feel better after seeing what comes out of there at a certain point and so many miles. Precautionary. I often say in this regard – ‘ A mother worries ‘ .
I changed the transmission fluid in my 200K mile Blazer because it started to look a little dark. I changed it in my Allante because the transmission is an unobtanium Allante-only unit. My general experience with ATF is people do more harm than good changing ATF. I understand why manufacturers removed the dipstick and started calling it lifetime. By the time ATF really starts looking bad, the transmission is usually already toast.
Rears are pretty much the same way. Unless you are having a problem such as submergence or a leak, I have never changed diff oil.
I was a little surprised when I discovered that Ram wanted me to change the differential oil at 16,000 miles in my 2007 Ram 1500, but basically just shrugged and did it (with Mobil 1).
That was probably the dealer that wanted you to change it, not the factory that built it !
Antifreeze really can be lifetime if monitored and adjusted. The base fluid doesn’t wear out, just the additives that deplete (which is their job). The problem with maintenance is the lack of education as to what each fluid is designed to accomplish. Totally agree with who pays the bill? When it’s manufacturers, magically nothing needs to be serviced if the likelihood it won’t cost them under warranty. If it fails afterwards who cares they’re in the business of selling new cars.
To step sideways for a minute, neither my lawn mower or snow blower have engine oil drain plugs. The only way to change it is to drain it through the filler hole (turn it upside down). Who thought this was a good idea ???
That’s weird. I have old lawn mowers and snow blowers and they all have drain plugs. Usually on the snow blower it’ll be on the side of the engine at the bottom where it’s bolted to the sheet metal casing. The lawn mower of course you have to look underneath where the blade spins to see the plug.
The B&S engine in my pressure washer came with instructions to drain the oil by tipping the engine(thus the entire machine) way over on its side so the oil ran out the filler tube. But in having a look underneath – voila – a drain plug in the bottom of the crankcase. Pretty sure doing it that way leaves less of the old oil behind.
Have to say that when I think of Hagerty I think classic vintage cars insurance and therefore cars. So with lifetime are we talking s 2020 model automatic or a 1968 C4 or C6 automatic? No way I would ever use lifetime in those transmissions in my cars as I have once experienced the pitfall of not doing so back in 1973.
There was some automotive writer, I can’t remember who, who wrote a few years ago that lifetime fluids are fluids that are totally, absolutely guaranteed to last for the lifetime of the fluid.
Exactly! When the fluid fails, that’s its lifetime.
“Lifetime” fluids are exactly that. They last the lifetime of the product, which might not be what I want. If the CVT dies at 80K due to not changing the fluid, well then the fluid lasted the lifetime of the CVT. What an expensive joke to play on car owners, thinking that they are maintenance or almost maintenance free. It’s much cheaper to shell out a few hundred dollars for periodically changing fluids than replacing an engine, etc.
I have a tester kit for brake fluid and antifreeze. If they test good, I don’t change them. Brake fluid absorbs water. If it is still low water content, why bother? The antifreeze needs to protect against pH level and freezing point. Again, if it still shows well under the limits, why change it prematurely? I’m no tree hugger but I do hate to waste fluid changes.
The idea of a “lifetime” anything is so far from reality it is laughable. I know that the manufacturers like to tout their amazing products and how “no service is required” will save the consumer money, but the reality is that the only way to keep any mechanical system functioning well over an extended period of time is to provide clean and effective lubrication. Accelerated transmission band and clutch wear, bearing and seal failure, etc., are all associated with failure to regularly service these systems. I know that it is getting harder to do these services but I personally do transmission fluid and filter changes (for daily driver type vehicles) every 40-50k, including differential and power steering fluids, do LMA type brake fluids every 18-24 months and keep regular oil changes with synthetic fluid and good quality oil filters every 5000 miles. Does this eliminate wear? No- but it does seem to work as I have more than a few cars that have gone north of 250,000 miles without major failures.