Brake Fluid Shelf Life - For Sealed Containers

[The Critic]

What is general consensus on brake fluid shelf life when the contents are still sealed?

I found a copy/paste response from ATE stating that it is 5 years for sealed containers and 1-yr for unsealed containers.

What are other manufacturers recommending?

 

[Rand]

is that a metal or plastic container?

If its for top up, that should be fine.

If you are bleeding fresh fluid in, I'd want fresher.

 

[JHZR2]

I'd say application counts too. Most cars in the usa never get fresh fluid over their lifecycle, other than a tiny bit over a pad change or other maintenance. Rarely is deliberate change performed for most cars, even if specified.

So practically speaking I'd think that five years in a sealed container is nothing, if ten plus years out in the open is reality.

 

[Warstud]

Just buy it when you need it.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Rand
is that a metal or plastic container?


I've ONLY seen Ate fluids sold in METAL containers.

Some of the high end/racing fluids now sold in plastic containers have the space between the fluid and the cap filled with nitrogen gas to help stave off moisture absorption.