I bought a tester on Amazon. Kingbolen bf100. I’ve yet to fool this thing whether it’s new fluid, old fluid or even an open bottle on the shelf. Nissan says every two years but this is also from the company who doesn’t recommend cvt fluid changes, basically ever. My 2000 f250 still has original brake and trans fluid. I’m not proud of that.
Brake Fluid - Biggest Neglect, Biggest Benefit
- Thread starter webfors
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2013
- Messages
- 107
An accurate fluid-test requires fluid samples from each caliper/wheel cylinder. Fluid in your reservoir won't be representative.
Brake-fluids vary formula to formula. Accurate conductivity testers require calibration with specific fluid blends.
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But those testers still test for moisture content. They miss all the road debri, brake dust, brake hose lining and so on.
Viscosity differences at cold temp. Not all DOT3 fluids have the same cold temp performance so the viscosity curves are different.
Years ago I got my MiL into a '92 Acura Integra that had been sitting awhile on a dealer's lot. I could feel that the brake pedal was soft when I test drove, but when I gave it a stress test at home the brake fade was obvious after three hard stops. Of course I flushed the system and the brakes were back to normal.
The thing about moisture is that it doesn't migrate into the fluid anywhere but at the reservoir. I've replaced a couple master cylinders before their time due to a previous owner's neglect.
The thing about moisture is that it doesn't migrate into the fluid anywhere but at the reservoir. I've replaced a couple master cylinders before their time due to a previous owner's neglect.
Honestly, never done it. I have bled brakes when needed after a brake job or something (if needed.) I know all the oil change places try and do it to every car that comes in. Easy money.
Is it necessary? Haven't ever had a problem. I have sucked out some of the fluid in the reservoir and replaced it. Never chased the lines unless bleeding brakes. Some cars you have to. Some you don't after a brake job. Replaced my sons font and rear pads/rotors within last couple months. His fluid still looked nice and clear for a 2019. I know, looks don't mean anything, but everything works fine.
Maybe for a much older car. I will say the manual doesn't say anything to my knowledge (maintenance.) I don't recall anyway.
Is it necessary? Haven't ever had a problem. I have sucked out some of the fluid in the reservoir and replaced it. Never chased the lines unless bleeding brakes. Some cars you have to. Some you don't after a brake job. Replaced my sons font and rear pads/rotors within last couple months. His fluid still looked nice and clear for a 2019. I know, looks don't mean anything, but everything works fine.
Maybe for a much older car. I will say the manual doesn't say anything to my knowledge (maintenance.) I don't recall anyway.
I cannot ride my yamaha stratoliner because the dot 4 fluid is shot and the clutch will not disenguage. Its overdue for a change.
17000 miles and 18 months on the vehicle.
last 12 months/ 10,000 miles in germany.
Lots of driving on autobahn and hard braking from 100mph to 60mph a frequent occurence, when speed limits change.
I was thinking of doing my brake fluid soon, but it still looks pretty clear.
Not as colorless as when it was brand new, but not so far off either.. (shrug)
New cars also say transmissions are "lifetime fills"... should have seen the brown slurry that came out of my ATS after 11 years. Brake fluid was really bad... brown and bits floating around inside the fluid. Just swapping calibers, draining the reservoir, and bleeding it is adding fresh fluid while pushing contaminates out.
Turkey baster pull, and then bleed.
I just ordered 2 liters of Bosch 5.1 from rock auto for my Altimas and flushed my rogue with pentosin lv4 from Ollie’s the other day. All theses cars have akebono calipers, which are insanely expensive ($500) a piece to replace. Now that I’ve got a pressure bleeder it isn’t a big job anymore. I spend a fair mount on rotors and pads every few years, whether it’s time for brakes or not. Might as well keep on top of the fluid that drives them.