Brake fluid flush for low-use vehicles
- Thread starter Chevyc10
- Start date
Stored inside? Climate Controlled?
If outside and not climate controlled I would say every 2-3 years, stretching out a bit longer if inside or climate controlled.
If outside and not climate controlled I would say every 2-3 years, stretching out a bit longer if inside or climate controlled.
Depends on the fluid. Bosch ESI (extended service interval) or ATE Type 200 are both rated for 3 years and would probably be my choice.
I now go every five years on classics. Nothing but DOT 3 fluid.. I used to go much longer than that even though I never had any problems.
There are tools and test strips you can get to give you an estimate of how much moisture brake fluid has absorbed.
In classic, non performance type vehicles, it's best to stick with DOT 3 fluid as it can absorb more moisture than DOT 4 can before it becomes fully saturated and starts causing corrosion issues with brake components.
In classic, non performance type vehicles, it's best to stick with DOT 3 fluid as it can absorb more moisture than DOT 4 can before it becomes fully saturated and starts causing corrosion issues with brake components.
I do it every three years now.
Checking Amazon, the test strips are quite expensive. An electric tester is much less. Are they accurate?
Don't know about the electronic ones, but use the strips to get my baseline change interval, ie; test each year until I find the generally right time to change it. Once found, I just use that instead of having to keep using the strips (they ARE expensive). Daily can go 2 years on current fluid (brand/type), less driven one I can get 4 years. So every other change on the daily, the other gets one too. Works good enough for me.
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I use my DVOM to test fluid voltages. IIRC, <0.3 vDC is ok. But check that value if doing this. YMMV
If you don't have time for a flush, simply draw out the fluid from the brake and clutch reservoirs and replace with new fluid. Then drive it. Helps immensely.
All that does is keep the fluid fresh in the M/C. Accomplishes very little. That new fluid will not migrate where its needed the most downstream.
It is true, brake fluid does not circulate in most systems. However, it does migrate down into the calipers as pads wear. And there is a small amount of exchange centered around the master cylinder. By keeping the reservoir full of fresh fluid, we are not pushing moisture laden fluid downstream.
Brake fluid should be changed every few years regardless of mileage. Brake fluid absorbs moisture in a way that doesn't depend on mileage, but rather time.
For a daily driver, you could just do it when you replace the brakes themselves, but your classic cars will sit much longer than that.
Speed bleeders are awesome
For a daily driver, you could just do it when you replace the brakes themselves, but your classic cars will sit much longer than that.
Speed bleeders are awesome
Yea, the fluid might go an additional inch or two. Hardly a reason not to do it right and flush the whole system. That new fluid in the M/C will never make it to the wheels.
Some are some are not, the old Bosch/Hazet hot plate style were very good but cost over $500, this one is a good alternative for under $100. Palmac is legit, I buy from them often.
https://palmac.net/products/gedore-...oI9w_Ie7cHLCuie_yNVrJLAKQCXUZREBoCg_sQAvD_BwE
Do you drive it hard when you do? If not, Ideally, you would use DOT 3 and change every 3 years. Realistically, 5 year is likely to be still safe. Honestly it would not surprise me if you keep it for 7 years without any major fade.
I doubt majority of the people on the road really change their brake fluid every 3-5 years any ways.
I doubt majority of the people on the road really change their brake fluid every 3-5 years any ways.
My rule is to change BF every 3 years and I use Bosch fluid, at 3 years mark water content is usually about 2% or more due to local humidity/rain conditions anyway. I think 3 years is a very reasonable BF change interval, if one runs a vehicle for 10 years then it means you do it only 3 times. Fluid isn't expensive and procedure is quite simple, I do it by myself with no special tools. I have an electronic tester but don't consider it a precision tester, just something to give me some reasonable ball park.
i flushed the brake fluid in my old honda jazz (fit) every 3 yrs. but still got wheel cylinder corrosion pitting at around year 12
I've started replacing wheel cylinders as a matter of course on older vehicles.
