Your car runs on half a dozen different fluids and breathes through several filters, and each has its own specification and its own interval. AutoTech Clinic tests and services all of them at our Dearborn shop, usually the same day.
We test rather than sell. Brake fluid gets a moisture reading, coolant gets a freeze and condition test, and we show you the numbers. If a fluid is still doing its job we will tell you to come back later.
- How Long
- From about 30 minutes for a filter to 2 hours for multiple fluid services.
- Same Day
- Usually finished the same day.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Fluid Services and Filters
- Fluid that looks dark, cloudy or has particles in it
- You have passed an interval in your service schedule
- Weak airflow from the vents or a musty smell in the cabin
- A drop in fuel economy or acceleration
- A fluid level that keeps needing topping up
- You bought the car used and do not know its service history
What We Do
- 01
Test Before Recommending
We measure brake fluid moisture, coolant freeze point and condition, and inspect transmission and differential fluid for color and smell.
- 02
Check Every Filter
Engine air, cabin air and fuel filter where serviceable. We show you the old filters so you can see the condition yourself.
- 03
Use the Correct Specification
Fluids are not interchangeable. The wrong transmission fluid, coolant or brake fluid causes real damage, and we use what the manufacturer specifies.
- 04
Look for the Reason
A fluid that is low has gone somewhere. We look for the leak rather than simply topping it up and sending you away.
- 05
Record and Advise
We record what was done and tell you what is due next, so you can plan rather than being surprised.
The Fluids People Forget
Everyone remembers engine oil. Brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid and differential fluid are the ones that quietly reach the end of their service life while nobody is watching.
Brake fluid in particular is worth a mention. It absorbs water from the air whether you drive or not, and that water lowers the boiling point and corrodes the ABS module and brake lines from the inside. It is one of the cheapest services on a car and one of the most commonly skipped.
Cabin Air Filters in a Dearborn Spring
The cabin air filter cleans the air coming into the passenger compartment, and most have never been changed. A filter packed with leaves, pollen and road dust chokes airflow on every fan speed and is a common cause of a musty smell.
In spring the pollen load here is heavy, and a fresh filter makes a real difference if anyone in the car has allergies. It is an inexpensive part and on most vehicles it takes minutes.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Which fluids are due and how much each system holds
- Fluid specifications, which range widely in cost
- Cartridge filters versus spin on filters
- Access, since some cabin filters and fuel filters are awkward to reach
- Whether a leak has to be repaired before a fluid service makes sense
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.