Kia says to flush brake fluid every 4 years?

[Klutch9]

Still looking over the manual and learning things about our Carnival. The maintenance section recommends flushing the brake fluid every 4 years. It specs DOT 4 LV, aka SL.6, etc. This fluid tends to be slightly more hygroscopic than the older stuff, yet Kia still recommends 4 years. I'm not sure I've had a vehicle that recommended an interval that long. I usually do flushes between 2-3 years, and I'm pretty sure our Explorer, which uses the same fluid, recommends 2 years in the manual (too lazy to check ).

 

[Nessism1]

I don't see a problem with four years.

 

[Astro14]

I don't see a problem with four years.

Not in sunny California.

But in humid places, or where the car is operated at high speed, or in the mountains, many cars recommend annual changes.

 

[Hall]

I'm not sure I've had a vehicle that recommended an interval that long.

Most automakers have NO brake fluid change interval.

 

[Pelican]

I don't see a problem doing it more often either!

 

[TumblrDucks]

How about getting a test pen and change brake fluid when it's deteriorating? Keep out of the doubt and sleep tight.

 

[Nessism1]

Not in sunny California.

But in humid places, or where the car is operated at high speed, or in the mountains, many cars recommend annual changes.

That seems crazy to me. Nobody does that. Even at four years, most owners won't do it.

 

[Astro14]

That seems crazy to me. Nobody does that. Even at four years, most owners won't do it.

Not surprising. Many owners fail to follow the service recommendations of manufacturers.

Here is the owners manual of my S600. Pretty clear what Mercedes says. And it’s not a recommendation. It’s a requirement.

 

[Owen Lucas]

The brake fluid replacement interval on my 21 Honda Pilot is every 2 years.

 

[sfbmw]

Brake fluid needs to be replaced a minimum of every 2yrs. If you live in a more humid area, replace it annually. If your car sees track time you’ll need to replace it even more often. This is a safety issue. Take it seriously.

Street: ATE SL, SL.6 (low viscosity for modern ABS and DSC) or TYP200

Track: Castrol SRF ($$$ but lasts longer) or Motul RBF660 (must flush a minimum of every other event or 1yr whichever comes first).

 

[DemoFly]

I turkey baste the reservoir annually, pressure bleed flush whenever I do brakes.

 

[Lubener]

I have done it every 6-10 years and never had a problem.

 

[VersatileGuy]

Given Kia uses cheaper everything, you might as well go test the aftermarket and see if their low moisture formulas are better. Castrol DOT4 is one such example.

I'd also do it in 3 years because manufacturers have a habit of overstating intervals to kill the car sooner.

 

[CarlB]

If only there were some way to tell. ;-)

 

[slacktide_bitog]

That would make Hyundai/Kia only the second non-Euro I know of to recommend brake fluid changes at all (the other being Honda, who says 3 years).

Realistically, you can just do it when you replace the pads and rotors.

Regular flushes are more important than what brand brake fluid you use. Even Walmart DOT 3 is fine as long as you flush it regularly. Walmart DOT3 every 4 years is enough.

A popular premium brake fluid that is supposed to last longer is Bosch ESI6.

Almost nobody flushes the brake fluid, and most cars arrive at the junkyard on their factory brake fluid.

Most automakers have NO brake fluid change interval.

This. Only the Euro cars call for regular brake fluid changes. Honda and now Kia/Hyundai stand alone among non-Euros.

 

[hrv]

Most automakers have NO brake fluid change interval.

Well they are in the bussiness to sell cars...

 

[sfbmw]

Manufacturers only care about the car surviving the warranty period (except Toyota maybe). They don’t care about long term durability. They care about spending the least about of money during the warranty/free service period.

Flush your brake fluid a minimum of every 2yrs regardless of what the manufacturer says. DOT4 formulations haven’t really changed in the last 30yrs. Manufacturers just cheaped out.

Water in your brake fluid can ruin expensive ABS and DSC pumps, corrode brake hardware, and even congeal if you leave it long enough. It’s a whole lot cheaper to replace 2qts of brake fluid every other year than repair your braking system down the road. Not to mention the safety argument.

If you won’t run a 25k mi OCI in your car, why would you leave your brake fluid for a long time either?

 

[macarose]

If only there were some way to tell. ;-)

View attachment 232067

What's that called?

 

[VersatileGuy]

That would make Hyundai/Kia only the second non-Euro I know of to recommend brake fluid changes at all (the other being Honda, who says 3 years).

Realistically, you can just do it when you replace the pads and rotors.

Regular flushes are more important than what brand brake fluid you use. Even Walmart DOT 3 is fine as long as you flush it regularly. Walmart DOT3 every 4 years is enough.

A popular premium brake fluid that is supposed to last longer is Bosch ESI6.

Almost nobody flushes the brake fluid, and most cars arrive at the junkyard on their factory brake fluid.



This. Only the Euro cars call for regular brake fluid changes. Honda and now Kia/Hyundai stand alone among non-Euros.

I disagree about Supertech. It's more vulnerable than better fluids.

Used it in a Toyota for about 2-3 years after flushing OEM. Needless to say, coming out a vibrant green is not a good sign. Not when the OEM fluid was only lightly discolored over a much longer period interval.

Castrol's DOT4 is also a better fluid, being low moisture accumulation for British cars with systems apparently open vented to the atmosphere.

 

[Nukeman7]

What's that called?

It is a brake fluid tester pen. I have this one that displays the actual % of moisture along with a green/yellow/red background to indicate overall status. It works quite well and is inexpensive.