anything to look out for when getting a brake fluid change?

[apollo18]

i usually get a brake fluid change from a mechanic but seems like alot of them are busy these days. i called around at some lube places and they said they can do a brake fluid exchange for $90 ish

is it known that they will change the fluid from reservoir and then bleed each brake line so that every line will have fresh fluid?

im just afraid they will siphon the master cyclinder and put new fluid and call it a day cuz not like i can check every line my self

is this something to worry about or is it standard practice for them to change the fluid from reservoir and then bleed each brake line so that every line will have fresh fluid

thanks!

 

[JavierH19]

Just siphon in yourself with a turkey baster or small pump, There's honestly need to do a full exchange unless there's serious contamination or the fluid is in horrid shape which does requires an exchange but regular maintenance doesn't. I draw and fill mine once a year and it takes only 1-2 minutes. That new fluid will mix with the old fluid in some time. Can be as little as one driving day for both corners to mix and dilute or more if not driven much. I rarely bleed the lines only taking the opportunity if I'm changing the brakes.

 

[apollo18]

Just siphon in yourself with a turkey baster or small pump, There's honestly need to do a full exchange unless there's serious contamination or the fluid is in horrid shape which does requires an exchange but regular maintenance doesn't. I draw and fill mine once a year and it takes only 1-2 minutes. That new fluid will mix with the old fluid in some time. Can be as little as one driving day for both corners to mix and dilute or more if not driven much. I rarely bleed the lines only taking the opportunity if I'm changing the brakes.

Oh sweet if that’s the case I’m down to do that. I assumed the fluid in the lines didn’t really move much. But if I can just keep basting and exchanging a few times over the next few months and it will mostly freshen up I’m happy with that

 

[JavierH19]

Oh sweet if that’s the case I’m down to do that. I assumed the fluid in the lines didn’t really move much. But if I can just keep basting and exchanging a few times over the next few months and it will mostly freshen up I’m happy with that

Yeah the new fluid in the reservoir will eventually dilute with what's far away in the lines but it takes a while. It's not fast but it won't take a month unless it's hardly driven. Those that do a bunch of city driving in one day could mix it in a day but with more normal short time length driving a week is likely what's needed. A month is plenty if it's a daily driver that gives it enough time for the new and old fluid to seep together and dilute the moisture content and bring it down. You can also do the multimeter trick and see if it's above 0.3v

 

[Speedbird001]

Just siphon in yourself with a turkey baster or small pump, There's honestly need to do a full exchange unless there's serious contamination or the fluid is in horrid shape which does requires an exchange but regular maintenance doesn't. I draw and fill mine once a year and it takes only 1-2 minutes. That new fluid will mix with the old fluid in some time. Can be as little as one driving day for both corners to mix and dilute or more if not driven much. I rarely bleed the lines only taking the opportunity if I'm changing the brakes.

I would respectfully disagree with this. $0.02: Brake lines are a one way circuit. it takes a loooong time, if ever for it to circulate. I have 1st hand experience with a few old cars that had very long periods with no flush (One definitely had a turkey baster job done a year prior); each of them, the first few "squirts" out of the bleeder screws were nasty. No way that fluid was up to spec. One I distinctly remember improved pedal feel with just a 15 minute turkey baster job and ~6 squirts from each wheel. (No special tools)

Suggest do it right. If you have a helper and a few basic tools its not that hard... I'm sure proper vacuum bleeding is better for pedal feel though.

Note: I've heard some modern cars with electrically connected brake systems need extra attention or tools/techniques to flush everything out and not do any damage.

Pro tip: If you are going to do it (Or even have it done) on a seasoned car, crawl under there a day or week prior and hit each bleeder screw with a shot of Kroil or similar (Bleeder screw braking off in the caliper is not a good feeling/experience)

 

[Lubener]

Just siphon in yourself with a turkey baster or small pump, There's honestly need to do a full exchange unless there's serious contamination or the fluid is in horrid shape which does requires an exchange but regular maintenance doesn't. I draw and fill mine once a year and it takes only 1-2 minutes. That new fluid will mix with the old fluid in some time. Can be as little as one driving day for both corners to mix and dilute or more if not driven much. I rarely bleed the lines only taking the opportunity if I'm changing the brakes.

That accomplishes very little. The fluid you draw from the M/C basically stays there and won't find its way down the system. Most corrosive damage occurs well downstream.

 

[iCurious]

Yep. Even the dealer does this. Only sucks out from the reservoir and refill. If you want them to do a complete job, request for a brake flush and there will be a price difference.

 

[factorytuned2012]

i usually get a brake fluid change from a mechanic but seems like alot of them are busy these days. i called around at some lube places and they said they can do a brake fluid exchange for $90 ish

is it known that they will change the fluid from reservoir and then bleed each brake line so that every line will have fresh fluid?

im just afraid they will siphon the master cyclinder and put new fluid and call it a day cuz not like i can check every line my self

is this something to worry about or is it standard practice for them to change the fluid from reservoir and then bleed each brake line so that every line will have fresh fluid

thanks!

Maybe check to see if your vehicle requires the abs module to be purged

 

[Joba27n]

A cheat code I can recommend is to go to a shop that does BG services... just because they'll have the fancy pressure/vacuum machine and will more than likely use that. Not a guarantee but we certainly took advantage of the machine. No reason to cut corners when you have that thing to make quick work of it.

 

[Jetronic]

I've used my electric oil extractor pump to suck brake fluid from each caliper nipple. Just keep the reservoir filled with fresh fluid.

If you use vacuum to pull fluid from the calipers you will always draw air in aswell, from the plug on the nipple. But you will see the bubbles change from big to tiny when fresh fluid is coming out. If you didn't wait too long, there's no discoloration of the fluid itself to go by.

 

[Plumb Bob]

Get one of these

https://www.motiveproducts.com/

 

[Cujet]

Just siphon in yourself with a turkey baster or small pump, There's honestly need to do a full exchange unless there's serious contamination or the fluid is in horrid shape

100%

In many modern vehicles, the fluid will move back and forth in the system well enough via the ABS system (or even brake by wire pumps) and general use over time to keep the moisture and corrosion problems at bay. Unfortunately, many modern brake fluid reservoirs are difficult to siphon the fluid from. Often having an internal baffle. If you choose this method, do it often to ensure moisture free clean and clear fluid.

While we worry about the fluid quality inside the calipers, often what really happens is that the external seals can't keep out the weather and corrosion starts from the outside in. Especially when exposed to salt/brine from either the roadway or ocean locations. No amount of brake fluid changes will fix this.

Given the difficulty bleeding certain systems, a brake reservoir 'drain and fill' is always a good idea.

Note: I keep new fresh fluid in the brake reservoir and not once have I performed a brake bleed and found contaminated fluid at the caliper. YMMV of course.

 

[Marcozi]

Maybe check to see if your vehicle requires the abs module to be purged

Typically the ABS unit doesn't require a brake fluid change. The exception is if the unit is pulled for repair or replacement.

 

[apollo18]

100%

In many modern vehicles, the fluid will move back and forth in the system well enough via the ABS system (or even brake by wire pumps) and general use over time to keep the moisture and corrosion problems at bay. Unfortunately, many modern brake fluid reservoirs are difficult to siphon the fluid from. Often having an internal baffle. If you choose this method, do it often to ensure moisture free clean and clear fluid.

While we worry about the fluid quality inside the calipers, often what really happens is that the external seals can't keep out the weather and corrosion starts from the outside in. Especially when exposed to salt/brine from either the roadway or ocean locations. No amount of brake fluid changes will fix this.

Given the difficulty bleeding certain systems, a brake reservoir 'drain and fill' is always a good idea.

Note: I keep new fresh fluid in the brake reservoir and not once have I performed a brake bleed and found contaminated fluid at the caliper. YMMV of course.

Ty I think mine may have a baffle but nothing a tube transfer pump can’t take care of I hope!

 

[John105]

I honestly do not believe anyone I’ve dealt with has bled all 4 calipers. Not for $59 in the old days or $90 today. BMW did but it was free maintenance.

I once watched Midas who charged $59 at the time. Two men, and bled at the caliper closest the cylinder (convenience). I am sure Lexus only syringed the reservoir (at the time $79). I left with clear fluid and a couple days later dark again.

So you have good reason to wonder. Like others said I’d just use the syringe method and do it 5x over 5+ days. But with my BMW I still bleed all calipers

 

[apollo18]

I honestly do not believe anyone I’ve dealt with has bled all 4 calipers. Not for $59 in the old days or $90 today. BMW did but it was free maintenance.

I once watched Midas who charged $59 at the time. Two men, and bled at the caliper closest the cylinder (convenience). I am sure Lexus only syringed the reservoir (at the time $79). I left with clear fluid and a couple days later dark again.

So you have good reason to wonder. Like others said I’d just use the syringe method and do it 5x over 5+ days. But with my BMW I still bleed all calipers

Awesome ty! I def don’t mind doing the siphon method and as long as the reservoir keeps getting dirty I can assume the fluid is mixing around.

Reminds me of my days that I did the turkey baster PS fluid

 

[John105]

Typically the ABS unit doesn't require a brake fluid change. The exception is if the unit is pulled for repair or replacement.

With BMW it needs to be activated via software doing an automated procedure they call ABL. BMW states this is needed anytime a component is removed. I honestly think even though I did the procedure (I removed the ABS pump for rebuild), that a caliper only should be ok with bleeding there. Maybe I would go through it all if a caliper were removed. The software isn't very friendly and it's in German, so I cringe thinking about the job....

 

[dubber09]

Imho, they are not gonna fully bleed brake lines at that price point, basically every time car goes up on a lift it's already a $100 to begin with. Is the fluid in bad shape, when was it changed last time, can you wait for an appointment and get it done right? It'd be worth it to get it done right a little later unless you can do it yourself sooner.

 

[The Critic]

At unscrupulous shops and certain stealerships:

Brake Fluid Replacement = drain and refill reservoir only
Brake Fluid Exchange = drain and refill reservoir, bleed all 4 lines

 

[John105]

Awesome ty! I def don’t mind doing the siphon method and as long as the reservoir keeps getting dirty I can assume the fluid is mixing around.

Reminds me of my days that I did the turkey baster PS fluid

The capacity is pretty large so just be careful you don’t extract such that the level goes below MIN. It shouldn’t but can get close…luckily brake fluid is cheap enough to extract and repeat

Also I rinse the extractor with water, then Shake and allow to dry.

https://a.co/d/7tnuJ4O