Recommended Oil, Coolant, Brake fluid changes...

I have 2001 Boxter with 34000 miles,and only drive IT on weekend. Last July, I changed oil,and only put 400 miles on my car. Since I do not drive my car often. How often I should change my oil every six month,also How often should I do Coolant flush or Brake flush.
Thanks
Happy New Year

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Oil Change

[Wayne 962]

I typically say about every 3000-5000 miles, or about once a year. You can probably go 2-3 years if you only put a few miles on it - the oil is fine in your engine and it's not going to degrade or deteriorate by itself. What concerns me most these days is oil contamination - from gas and water in the oil. I'm not 100% sure how age affects these factors though, so I typically recommend people err on the safer side.

As for coolant and brake fluid, I like coolant changes every two years, or every 25K miles. Brake fluid can be longer, I typically recommend around 40K-60K depending upon the environment and how the car has been driven.

- Wayne

[mikefocke]

Wayne. While I'm with you on the 3-5k/yearly oil change interval, I'm curious for the basis for your brake fluid and anti-freeze interval recommendations. Because everything I've ever read says they should probably be flipped.

Brake fluid picks up water and just ask me what it does to a brake system, anti-lock etc. My son ignored it on his Mazda and it has cost several $500 parts so far. Porsche recommends every 2 years per the owner's manual from my '01.

On the other hand, Porsche advertises lifetime on the anti-freeze. While I think that is excessive, I'm thinking more of a 50k/4-5 years for a coolant change interval.

[Wayne 962]

The coolant change stuff is based upon the electrolytes and chemicals breaking down in it, and just being on the safe side. I've seen firsthand what electrolysis can do to the aluminum parts inside the engine and it's not pretty.

On the brake fluid, it's been my experience that the fluid doesn't really get water in it if it's properly maintained. I did check, and Porsche does say every two years in the manual, so if you want to be safe, then I would probably stick with that. I just haven't seen the damage that results from extending the interval personally.

-Wayne

[jb99Boxster]

Regarding the oil changing. It there any truth to the ads that you can change the oil using one of those vacuum devices from the dip stick hole? Then change out the filter and re-fill?

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by jb99Boxster

Regarding the oil changing. It there any truth to the ads that you can change the oil using one of those vacuum devices from the dip stick hole? Then change out the filter and re-fill?

I think that this is indeed possible, but I would like to know why anyone would do it this way other than emptying the sump. You probably would not get all the oil out sucking it out of the dipstick tube.

-Wayne

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by jb99Boxster

Regarding the oil changing. It there any truth to the ads that you can change the oil using one of those vacuum devices from the dip stick hole? Then change out the filter and re-fill?

I have a MightyVac and it works perfectly on my E350 Benz, wouldn't do it any other way...on the Boxster however it doesn't reach all the way down, I could not get it to remove more then a few quarts...you'll have to use the drain plug.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

I have a MightyVac and it works perfectly on my E350 Benz, wouldn't do it any other way...on the Boxster however it doesn't reach all the way down, I could not get it to remove more then a few quarts...you'll have to use the drain plug.

What's the advantage to using one of these tools? Just a cleaner oil change process? You still need to get under the Boxster to replace the oil filter. I suppose that this pump would be great if you had a car with the oil filter up top - no more jacking up!

-Wayne

[jb99Boxster]

Thanks for the help. Saved me a couple of bucks buying a pump that would not do a thorough job.

[mikefocke]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

I have a MightyVac and it works perfectly on my E350 Benz, wouldn't do it any other way...on the Boxster however it doesn't reach all the way down, I could not get it to remove more then a few quarts...you'll have to use the drain plug.

As a extended drain period in getting out all the sludge and little pieces of stuff that can accumulate in the sump of even your MB? Is the flow as full force and gravity driven towards the catch basin that it pushes out any debris? Can it get out the last 5%?

If you are going to change the filter when you change the oil, then you already have the bother of getting under the car so why use the pump?

[JFP in PA]

You might want to read the thread on this subject over on RennTech, the poster got the hose stuck in the sump, then broke it off trying to pull it out. He then towed the car to a shop where they pulled the sump cover to get the hose out. Not a particularly efficient, or cost effective, way to change the oil……….

[Cajundaddy]

I think Wayne mentioned enemy #1 with all fluids... contamination. I use recommended intervals as a rule of thumb: oil-5K, brake fluid 1yr, trans fluid 1yr, coolant 2yrs, ps fluid 2 yrs. I also pay a lot of attention to fluid color. Any time a fluid begins to darken or change color I suspect contamination and it gets dumped. Fluids are cheap, motors are expensive.

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

What's the advantage to using one of these tools? Just a cleaner oil change process? You still need to get under the Boxster to replace the oil filter. I suppose that this pump would be great if you had a car with the oil filter up top - no more jacking up!

-Wayne

On the benz it has not been a problem at all, it gets out every last bit, the nice thing is I can just let it work while I eat lunch. The filter is on top and self drains, not a drop of oil gets on the floor. Works great on most mowers too, all my neighbors come by the same day we drain them all and make one trip to recycle.

JFP, interesting, I'll make sure I'm real careful and read up on my benz forums if others have had that problem, thanks for pointing that out.

JB, ya don't waste your money, the Box is a get under the car type, it's all very accessible and pretty easy, of course my neighbor does have a bay for sitting under cars that helps

[Wayne 962]

I see. As I thought indeed, this tool would probably work very well for cars with oil filters on the top!

-Wayne