I recently moved from MA to VA...and down here in the Mid Atlantic all I hear about is BG Products and Services. I just dropped my 4runner off to get the rear drums adjusted and to have the tranny flushed (50K miles on a 2001 SR5). Anyhoo...I noticed the dealer now performs BG stuff- like BG tranny flushes, power steering flushes, brake system flushes, etc. I went ahead with the tranny power flush as the red fluid looks a bit brown these days. It is funny how some Toyota dealers differ GREATLY in what servies they recommend, etc. I guess my long winded question is this- does anyone swear by BG and are they "the best" products?

Pat and B for Betty Goss are the owners of BG products.

I have seen BG44K at the Benz dealer, but I wouldn't swear by it, no more than I would any other witch brew that is added to the oil or gas to IMPROVE mileage or wear. Afterall, if you start buying into the BG product family line, you will see a 5 mile increase gas mileage, performance gains of about 25ft. lbs. at the transfer case, your engine will run at about 72dF, and you could eat off your valves because they will be so clean.

How about draining and refilling your fluids by the book and you should be good.

You should be good to go because you only have 50k. With the more mileage on the transmission, I'd start to be concerned with having the transmission reverse flushed. Reverse flow flushing which is what dealerships and garages are pushing these days are controversial procedures. Some actual mechanics think it is a great thing, while others view it as damaging the system or a complete waste at best.

Old school trans guys will not recommend a reverse flow flush, because the system is designed to have the fluid go one direction and things that get caught in that direction are best left where they are. Dislodging the contaminates can often cause them to go places they were not designed to go and damage certain parts.

If anything, I would recommend droping the pan and replacing the filter with fresh trans fluid.

Now, I just saw a commercial for having your power steering fluid flushed. What I have always done is vacuumed out fluid and replaced the same qty with new stuff and thereby returning some of the good qualities of the fresh fluid back into the system. I FEAR LEAKS and well, seals do become worn and well, if you do a reverse power flush with new fluid... count on some of the junk to become dislodged and the seals to be hit with completely fresh fluid.

BTW... I have seen this occur on MANY MANY MANY master cylinders. I know I have replaced perhaps upwards of 15 for the guys on gals on Acura-Legend.com. Introduce new fluid on a system containing old seals and you increase the possiblity of blow by. Now, one mechanic might say... a MC only lasts anywere from 50-90 but I have seen them fail in as few as 15k miles. Now... what you will not be able to explain is 10 NOVA vehicles on a group buy for stainless steel lines who had the fluid pumped into their Master Cylinders (so they wouldn't be using the actual seals on the Master Cylinder to pump out the old fluid) had their MCs FAIL within 1 to two weeks after doing the SS brake line swaps.

There is a reason for my madness, and anyone who has taken apart a trans or power steering components or ABS systems can atest to having a full system reverse flush blow away debris and goop that has accumulated and sealed off worn o rings, valve stems, cups, etc. etc.

Thanks for the info. I've seen Pat Goss on TV hawking BG products/services...I just never knew he OWNED the co!! It all makes sense now. Ah well, I do want my vehicle to last a long time so I'll pay a little extra on preventive maint. I'll skip the other flushes.