Fluids: What fluids to use ?

Most of the vehicles new from Japan will require a complete fluid flush. Synthetic fluids are not cheap. I would do the following ­ Do an oil change using a cheap full or semi synthetic oil plus filter. Do this again after 500km. The idea is to remove sludge deposits slowly. Using purpose designed flush fluids can cause deposits to flake off in lumps and block cam oil passages. The high detergent content of the synthetic will hopefully remove these more slowly.

I have heard that letting the engine idle for an hour with a litre of auto fluid in it before emptying is good for this. Finally replace with a good fully synthetic oil. I have tried most of them and there seems to be things for and against various brands. At the moment I am using Redline 10w30, I was using Elf 5w40 and next I will try Royal Purple. I don't think it matters which brand as long as it is synthetic and not mineral based. I change the oil every 10,000km and all other fluids at the correct service intervals. This interval is higher than recommended by the purists but I don't thrash my car very often either. You may get a few oil leaks after using synthetic ­ the stuff is a little more slippery than mineral oil and will find smaller holes. Nobody has come out and said that one particular oil filter is better than the other.

I tend to use ones made by Purolator (lots of filters are made by them and rebranded). Next I would replace the brake fluid with a good brand. Do a complete flush which will take up to 3 bottles of fluid. I use Motul 600. Any high boiling point fluid should be okay. Do this approx once per year. Check your brake pads now. Flush out the radiator ­ keep doing with clean water until no further signs of rust come out. Refill with water and run with this for 500km and then repeat. This time refill with a bottle of Redline (or Elf) Water Wetter ( allows better contact between the water and the block by removing surface tension. This allows the engine to run cooler). Also use Nissan antifreeze to the correct amount and top up with distilled water or rain water. I would also flush out the overflow tank if you can get to it okay.

Replace gearbox and diff fluids with synthetic oils. I use Redline synthetic in my auto box (see note above re things that need doing to the car after purchase). Replace the power steer fluid. This list which follows is condensed from the service manual and is what I use.