I took my 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix to a local dealer in April, and they said that they flushed the following fluids: brake, transmissions, and radiator.

Today I got an oil change from another place, and they said that all of the above needed flushing again. So I called the dealer and told him what the other place had said, and he said that unless I drove an very far distance since April, that those fluids shouldn't be dirty already. I drive between 260-280 miles per week. I did a google search to figure out what colors the fluids should be, and this is what one site said:

Brake - Anywhere from light to dark brown
Transmission - Red
Radiator - Clear or green (depending on whether you have antifreeze in it or not)

My brake fluid is a darker yellowish brown, the transmission is red (ok), and the radiator is medium/dark brown.

1 - Are the supposedly correct fluid colors above accurate?

2 - What's going on with my radiator fluid? Is it definitely dirty since it's dark brown?

3 - Do you think the second place lied about my brake and transmission fluids? They said they both need flushing, but they match what the google search said they should be. Today was the first time I've ever been to the new place.

4 - The new place also said that I need new rear brakes... but the dealer who did the state inspection said that they pulled a front and back brake off for the inspection, and they were fine then.

I would appreciate any advice in this matter. I really don't know who to believe. Thanks!

I am not going to tell you whither you need to change any fluids or not. What I am going to tell you is what I found out at my local speedy oil change place.

When they recommend changing your fluids, it’s not by color but by the last time THEIR computer tells them they changed it. They are in business to make money and they do that be recommending their services to you. This was your first time in this place and they were betting with the age and mileage on your car, you would need that service.

Any fluid will look discolored after a few hundred miles as it picks up some material left behind after the flushing. I had my local quick change oil artist recommend I change my transmission fluid about 5000 miles after I have another place change it.

If you had your fluids changed by a "Reputable” dealer, then it won’t need changed again for about 30,000 miles or more depending on you driving.

There are service places around that offer "FREE" oil change and 20 to 30 point inspection. Do you really think that oil change is free. No, they are betting that you need something done on you car that they can make a buck on.

Are your brakes worn? I did not look at them. Your dealer did a state inspection. He put his license and liability at stake tell you your brakes were OK if they were not. Even if they were maginal, he would have told you.

radiator should be ether green or orange and if not then it needs to be changed. any brown anything in the radiator is bad. my quess is somebody did not replace the fluids the first time a round as those fluids will stay those colors for a long time ....unless there has been an overheating problem with the engine and brakes. me i would go and see at least three different mechanics and then compare the results. but brown is not good for a radiator no matter what any body says that is rust plain and simple hope this helps a bit