ATF/Transaxel Fluids Schedule

Thanks. I just checked your video and saw it.
I've done a bunch of your maintenance procedures. I want to finish them all this summer. The only one that scares me is the brake fluid flush.

 

I'm thinking to do that one too. The last time it was done is coming up on 3 years this August. It was done in conjunction with the brake master cylinder recall.

The main thing I think: once you've got the car in that disabled mode, do nothing that could knock it out of that mode, as long as you're bleeding brakes. Say turning a wheel for example. Have everything buttoned up before shutting the car down. I don't think that's really stressed in the video, but I believe that's what'll cause the car to throw codes.

 

Just make sure to have 2 people for the brake flush since the front brake bleed is manually bled. The rear brakes are electronically controlled so once you step on the brake pedal, the fluids will start flowing.

turning the steering wheel won't cause the car to start having a check engine light. But I agree in doing everything correctly and tighten everything back to the way it was and you won't have any problems. Don't be opening the bleeder screw and then accidentally turning the vehicle on (which turns the invalid mode off), it might cause a check engine light... I wouldn't know since I haven't tried it.

Just don't over think it too much and follow the video tutorial and you should be fine. My car's at 114k miles and haven't had any problems...

 

I meant a wheel, not steering wheel. That kills the mode I think? And yeah, invalid mode, my mistake. I'm psyching up to do it. Maybe...

 

oh woops lol. I don't think turning a wheel would cause a CEL either.

Don't sweat it, you got this!

 

Thanks for the encouragement.

I think turning a wheel was one of the criteria you listed, had it on your phone: kicks it out of invalid mode, makes the car think it's moving?

 

It was turning the rotors/wheels, which might cause the ecu to think that the vehicle is in motion will get it out of invalid mode.

I think when I interpret turning the wheel was from left to right lol, not front and back, but you are right.

 

My use of the term "wheel" tripped us up: the wheels are usually off the car, too. I suppose you could the bleed without wheel removal, and I'd suspect shops do it that way, if you're not (for example) having the tires rotated. But yeah, "rotor" would have been clearer. Gotcha.

 

lol

 

My other car is a BMW. I love it, but it's so low to the ground that my low profile floor jack cannot reach its front center jack point. I finally figured out that when I raise it from the rear side, it lifts the entire side of the car. So I raise the entire right side of the car, put a jack stand on the front, then raise the left side from the rear, and put a jack stand on the front. Crazy, isn't it? Take a look....

(Meanwhile, I still have my 2012. It has 150,000 miles and my son has a license and he's been driving it.)