brake fluid change after 2 years?

[Robert2468]

good morning! A local mechanic I trust is doing my oil change, etc, today. My 2 year old Acura RDX says to change the brake fluid. he does not believe in that, and has a Honda with 250,000 miles, no change.

Is this right? I think it possible that getting water in the fluid could lead to brake line problems?
would like any and all comments.
have a great day!!
bob

 

[rstsco]

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, so absorbs moisture from the air over time. This is why manufacturers say to change it after given intervals. There are test strips and meters available to measure the moisture yourself.

I'd be a little worried about a mechanic saying it's never necessary for the life of your car.

 

[Propflux01]

I have found every time Ive done a brake flush it’s always been a very noticeable difference in braking. Think of it like shocks, you drive a car every day for 100k miles and don’t really realise how worn the shocks get until you replace them. Brake fluid is the same way. It does collect moisture, and is not a lifetime fluid. If you feel it needs to be done, have it done. It’ll save you down the line.

 

[PWMDMD]

It's relatively cheap and easy and it ensures your brakes work. Your mechanic is giving really bad advice and it would make me not trust him.

 

[fsdork]

I found this recent video by Faye Hadley informative:



However, if you're concerned about your warranty you may want to consider doing it just because that's Acura's specified interval. A problem with your master cylinder or ABS pump plus water-saturated fluid down the road might not go well.

 

[Bailey28]

I flush brake fluid every few years especially when I do a brake job as well. On the Harley I flush every few months due to heavy brake usage.

I use a Mighty Vac small hand held vacuum pump to pull fluid through the system and out of the caliper bleed bolt. I have not encountered a problem with any ABS system needing to be 'cycled' during this bleeding procedure. Make sure your emergency brake is off when you bleed the rear brakes, use wheel chocks.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Honda says to do it every 3 years regardless of mileage, and the newer Hondas have it as a code on the minder. Do it next year

 

[Robert2468]

great! will change brake fluid! have a great day.
bob

 

[edyvw]

good morning! A local mechanic I trust is doing my oil change, etc, today. My 2 year old Acura RDX says to change the brake fluid. he does not believe in that, and has a Honda with 250,000 miles, no change.

Is this right? I think it possible that getting water in the fluid could lead to brake line problems?
would like any and all comments.
have a great day!!
bob

A mechanic is just that, a mechanic. If he thinks he knows better, he can always apply for some of the engineering jobs at Honda and explain to them why it does not matter.

 

[Robert2468]

thanks everyone!
will do brake fluid very soon.
want to keep this car
bob

 

[Donald]

good morning! A local mechanic I trust is doing my oil change, etc, today. My 2 year old Acura RDX says to change the brake fluid. he does not believe in that, and has a Honda with 250,000 miles, no change.

Is this right? I think it possible that getting water in the fluid could lead to brake line problems?
would like any and all comments.
have a great day!!
bob

Plenty of cars go to the boneyard without the PS or brake fluid or differential gear oil ever being changed. Is that best for the car? Probably not.

Plus opening up the bleeders every once and awhile prevents them from seizing.

Flushing brake fluid with a friend is easy. By yourself you can get Speed Bleeders. And even SS ones.

 

[Donald]

Try one wheel. Save the old brake fluid in a clear bottle and see how nasty it looks.

 

[Nessism1]

I'm overdue for my brake system flush. Last done a few years ago. Bought a Motive pressure bleeder and it's amazing. Works great as a one person job. Have a Mitivac, but the pressure method works better in my opinion.

 

[willbur]

I'm overdue for my brake system flush. Last done a few years ago. Bought a Motive pressure bleeder and it's amazing. Works great as a one person job. Have a Mitivac, but the pressure method works better in my opinion.

probably bc it doesn't suck air around the bleeder screw threads like the mitivac does, imo

 

[Snagglefoot]

Well, I think two years is too soon but if you have ABS listen to the manufacturer. I just changed mine myself this weekend. It was totally black after 9 years.

 

[Nessism1]

probably bc it doesn't suck air around the bleeder screw threads like the mitivac does, imo

Agree. Also, I think, the pressure system pushes fluid through the ABS system quite effectively.

 

[svtrit]

I bleed my brakes using an older container of fluid about 1/3 full and clear tubing. I pump into the container keeping the tube I attached full and in fluid in the container. This is sort of an extension of the brake line and the fluid keeps the air out of the line. I can leave the bleeder open until new fluid comes out.

Works like a charm.

I don’t do a fluid exchange until I need to do the brakes. My 2020 Wrangler is close to needing brakes, but it’ll be at least another year since I drive it very little.

I suppose I could do the flush when I rotate the tires next, but I’m also a tad lazy in my older age and don’t get as exited about this kind of work anymore.