does anyone know, for someone whoe rarely drives many miles per year, when should one change their brake fluid?
brake fluid change
- Thread starter hha27d
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What car do you drive?
Brake fluid needs to be change because moisture alters its properties over time.
I believe a good rule of thumb is 3 years, regardless of mileage.
Brake fluid needs to be change because moisture alters its properties over time.
I believe a good rule of thumb is 3 years, regardless of mileage.
I usually do a full bleed when I replace the pads, which is usually 3~5 years and 50~75,000 miles.
I would do it sooner if the fluid wasn't clear and light in color.
3 years sounds like good advice.
I would do it sooner if the fluid wasn't clear and light in color.
3 years sounds like good advice.
I drove around a 1983 Ford LTD as my first car in the early 90's. I am sure it had the origional brake fluid.
However, when I got it in 1993-94? it only had 14,000 miles on it. My great Grandmother only drove it 1/2 mile to and from the gerocery store.
I got it, my father and I eventually changed out every hose and seal on that car, except the head gaskets. Which went out sometime in the winter of 2003. It sat for a year before I sold it to a Latino mechanic that didn't speak any english for $100 bucks. According to his friends a week after he got it it ran like a dream.
As far as I know it still had the origional brake fluid in it.
This is a fluid, much like power steering, that is normally neglected, and replaced when something serious goes bad (like a master cylinder).
Although you could use the turkey baster method and just rotate old liquid in and new liquid out over several months.
However, when I got it in 1993-94? it only had 14,000 miles on it. My great Grandmother only drove it 1/2 mile to and from the gerocery store.
I got it, my father and I eventually changed out every hose and seal on that car, except the head gaskets. Which went out sometime in the winter of 2003. It sat for a year before I sold it to a Latino mechanic that didn't speak any english for $100 bucks. According to his friends a week after he got it it ran like a dream.
As far as I know it still had the origional brake fluid in it.
This is a fluid, much like power steering, that is normally neglected, and replaced when something serious goes bad (like a master cylinder).
Although you could use the turkey baster method and just rotate old liquid in and new liquid out over several months.
Every pad swap, usually with DOT 4 or ATE fluids.
Turkey baster method doesn't deal with the main issue of old brake fluid. The highest %age of water is at the lowest point of the system, sitting on the pistons in the calipers. Buy a qt of fluid and open the bleeders. Let it drain through whilst topping off the reservoir with new fluid.
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+1 at pad change or 3 years.
Brake fluid is hydroscopic so it is going to absorb some moisture even if the car isn't driven. I'm on a two year schedule myself. Typically it shows some coloration by then but not much.
Every couple of years is good. It's only a few dollars of sauce.
I like a turkey baster flush of the PS and brakes [clutch also].
But it is for maintenance, and not as good for eliminating particulate matter as a real flush.
Keep your reservoir filled as you bleed the system!
I like a turkey baster flush of the PS and brakes [clutch also].
But it is for maintenance, and not as good for eliminating particulate matter as a real flush.
Keep your reservoir filled as you bleed the system!
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Every couple of years is good. It's only a few dollars of sauce.
I like a turkey baster flush of the PS and brakes [clutch also].
But it is for maintenance, and not as good for eliminating particulate matter as a real flush.
Keep your reservoir filled as you bleed the system!
How do you flush the caliper side with a turkey baster? That's where we need new fluid right?
Every couple of years is good. It's only a few dollars of sauce.
I like a turkey baster flush of the PS and brakes [clutch also].
But it is for maintenance, and not as good for eliminating particulate matter as a real flush.
Keep your reservoir filled as you bleed the system!
How do you flush the caliper side with a turkey baster? That's where we need new fluid right?
Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
This is a fluid, much like power steering, that is normally neglected, and replaced when something serious goes bad (like a master cylinder).
People find it amazing that I change mine. According to most "mechanics" brake fluid, power steering fluid, differential fluid and transfer case fluid should "never" be changed. I change my brake fluid every 40,000 km (50,000 miles) or 2 years.
Thankfully, back when I serviced my truck at the dealer, they were of the mindset that it should be changed. The 40,000 km/2 year rule is the manufacturer's recommendation, which they used to follow.
This is a fluid, much like power steering, that is normally neglected, and replaced when something serious goes bad (like a master cylinder).
People find it amazing that I change mine. According to most "mechanics" brake fluid, power steering fluid, differential fluid and transfer case fluid should "never" be changed. I change my brake fluid every 40,000 km (50,000 miles) or 2 years.
Thankfully, back when I serviced my truck at the dealer, they were of the mindset that it should be changed. The 40,000 km/2 year rule is the manufacturer's recommendation, which they used to follow.
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Every couple of years is good. It's only a few dollars of sauce.
I like a turkey baster flush of the PS and brakes [clutch also].
But it is for maintenance, and not as good for eliminating particulate matter as a real flush.
Keep your reservoir filled as you bleed the system!
How do you flush the caliper side with a turkey baster? That's where we need new fluid right?
Turkey baster only changes the fluid in the master cyl. the brake fluid doesn't circulate.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Every couple of years is good. It's only a few dollars of sauce.
I like a turkey baster flush of the PS and brakes [clutch also].
But it is for maintenance, and not as good for eliminating particulate matter as a real flush.
Keep your reservoir filled as you bleed the system!
How do you flush the caliper side with a turkey baster? That's where we need new fluid right?
Turkey baster only changes the fluid in the master cyl. the brake fluid doesn't circulate.
Originally Posted By: johnd
Brake fluid is hydroscopic so it is going to absorb some moisture even if the car isn't driven. I'm on a two year schedule myself. Typically it shows some coloration by then but not much.
Same here. I switch between using ATE Typ 200 and ATE SuperBlue Racing. Both fluids have the same excellent properties, only differing by their amber and blue colors, respectively. When you're flushing the brakes or clutch, it makes it easy to know when you've completely cleared the old fluid from your hydraulic system.
Cheers
Brake fluid is hydroscopic so it is going to absorb some moisture even if the car isn't driven. I'm on a two year schedule myself. Typically it shows some coloration by then but not much.
Same here. I switch between using ATE Typ 200 and ATE SuperBlue Racing. Both fluids have the same excellent properties, only differing by their amber and blue colors, respectively. When you're flushing the brakes or clutch, it makes it easy to know when you've completely cleared the old fluid from your hydraulic system.
Cheers
PB - You empty and refill the reservoir, of course.
The fresh fluid will mix with the old, as there is a lot of movement.
Far better than no bleed at all.
The fresh fluid will mix with the old, as there is a lot of movement.
Far better than no bleed at all.
Originally Posted By: hha27d
does anyone know, for someone whoe rarely drives many miles per year, when should one change their brake fluid?
Ideally brake fluid should be flushed every couple of years, that notwithstanding the story of the 1983 LTD going forever on the original fluid.
BMW recommends that brake fluid be changed every two years. They also recommend 15,000 oil changes and lifetime ATF and coolant.
So there must be something special that they are really concerned with regarding brakes and it's probably a safety thing.
I guess if you're cruising at 140 on the autobahn and you need to slow down real fast, you shouldn't be worried about brake fade.
does anyone know, for someone whoe rarely drives many miles per year, when should one change their brake fluid?
Ideally brake fluid should be flushed every couple of years, that notwithstanding the story of the 1983 LTD going forever on the original fluid.
BMW recommends that brake fluid be changed every two years. They also recommend 15,000 oil changes and lifetime ATF and coolant.
So there must be something special that they are really concerned with regarding brakes and it's probably a safety thing.
I guess if you're cruising at 140 on the autobahn and you need to slow down real fast, you shouldn't be worried about brake fade.
Originally Posted By: Vaca
BMW recommends that brake fluid be changed every two years. They also recommend 15,000 oil changes and lifetime ATF and coolant.
So there must be something special that they are really concerned with regarding brakes and it's probably a safety thing.
I guess if you're cruising at 140 on the autobahn and you need to slow down real fast, you shouldn't be worried about brake fade.
You don't get killed if your engine sludge up, ATF slip, or cooling system fails. You can die if your brake fluid absorbs too much water and boil off when you need it the most.
BMW recommends that brake fluid be changed every two years. They also recommend 15,000 oil changes and lifetime ATF and coolant.
So there must be something special that they are really concerned with regarding brakes and it's probably a safety thing.
I guess if you're cruising at 140 on the autobahn and you need to slow down real fast, you shouldn't be worried about brake fade.
You don't get killed if your engine sludge up, ATF slip, or cooling system fails. You can die if your brake fluid absorbs too much water and boil off when you need it the most.
Brake fluid does not circulate, but it does indeed mix.
Annually and clutch fluid as well.
I change out the brake fluid completely and the clutch fluid out every three years. No problems with seals.
I usually use Valvoline SynPower DOT4. Worked great in my old racing car too.
I usually use Valvoline SynPower DOT4. Worked great in my old racing car too.
once every 3 years for me.
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