How often to change brake fluid?
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ATGATT
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How often to change brake fluid?
I've always done it annually, but I have been told I'm wasting my money. The owner's manual says every year, but the fluid I use says every 3 years. What say the forums?
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Re: How often to change brake fluid?
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air. This is the biggest concern, unless you boiled it. A flush once a year is a little much. Do it every 30k.
You would make a great customer by the way...
You would make a great customer by the way...
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Re: How often to change brake fluid?
Haha, it was the shop I used to use for such things back when I lived in MD (I do most of my own work, but I don't bother with things like brake fluid flushes or repacking wheel bearings) that told me I was wasting my money, but I would come back every year and insist on following the book lol.
The reason I thought of it recently is after the last time I decided to follow their advice, but the pedal feels a little softer than normal, and the fluid is almost 2 years old. The pads still have plenty of material on them, though the fluid is of course below the max mark (because last time it was done at the same time as pads and rotors, so it was at the max line with brand new pads), but it's above the min. Maybe it's just the summer heat, or my imagination, or maybe fixing that vacuum leak is giving me stronger brake boosting.
The reason I thought of it recently is after the last time I decided to follow their advice, but the pedal feels a little softer than normal, and the fluid is almost 2 years old. The pads still have plenty of material on them, though the fluid is of course below the max mark (because last time it was done at the same time as pads and rotors, so it was at the max line with brand new pads), but it's above the min. Maybe it's just the summer heat, or my imagination, or maybe fixing that vacuum leak is giving me stronger brake boosting.
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Re: How often to change brake fluid?
It's possible that air got in the lines, that would account for the greater pedal travel. Have you filled it up since you noticed it was below the max line? Bleeding the brakes would fix it, but that and changing the fluid are practically one in the same.
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Re: How often to change brake fluid?
if its taking more effort for the pedal to grab (in my experiences) air has gotten in the line
#9
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Re: How often to change brake fluid?
You're wasting money... In my street vehicles I change it once every 5 years or so. My truck is a 2004 and has never had it changed, but will do it this year. My red Corvette is a 2003 w/ just over 50,000 miles and I did it's first ever brake job a few weeks ago. Plan to flush it again in 3-4 more years.
In my track/race car I flush the fluid once a year and do a bleed before each track weekend.
The issue with never changing it is that as it absorbs moisture it'll have a lower boiling point and will rust the brake lines from the inside out.
-Brian
In my track/race car I flush the fluid once a year and do a bleed before each track weekend.
The issue with never changing it is that as it absorbs moisture it'll have a lower boiling point and will rust the brake lines from the inside out.
-Brian
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