Lexus Brake Fluid Replacement

[MaximaGuy]

I was browsing through the owners manual today and found that at 36K brake fluid has to be replaced.

What is Lexus's defn of "Replace Brake Fluid", all the fluid or the fluid in the lines.? I don't mind bleeding but then replacing the fluid is quite unique for a required maintenance.

Lexus folks pl. chime in if this is needed.

 

[andyd]

With disc brakes and ABS, replacing BF every 2 yrs is a normal maintenance procedure. My E28 buddys woulds switch between regular ATE and ATE blue so they could see the immediate difference. BF darkens over time so you can see the difference between old and new.

 

[AKhan87]

That's nice, I would love it if they specified that in my owner's manual.

 

[BISCUT]

I've always done the Might Vac kinda suck and refill deal with every car I've owned since 1997. Back then it was of course 3-4k OCI for me. But I've never had a car with a master cylinder issue or a power steer pump since then.

I do wonder how it works with newer SN oils and longer OCI's as I still do the pump n dump of the reservoirs each OCI. So far all good to go on all the vehicles in my sig.

 

[Wolf359]

Mercedes also has it as normal maintenance on their cars and it's every 2 years.

Also I hope the previous poster wasn't using the mityvac to suck out brake fluid, just oil.

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT
I've always done the Might Vac kinda suck and refill deal with every car I've owned since 1997. Back then it was of course 3-4k OCI for me. But I've never had a car with a master cylinder issue or a power steer pump since then.

I do wonder how it works with newer SN oils and longer OCI's as I still do the pump n dump of the reservoirs each OCI. So far all good to go on all the vehicles in my sig.

I have only done the 2 people method, and it is ridiculously effective.

Oddly my 00 celica gts/01 celica gt/06 camry never had their brake fluid changed and the reservoir was brand new looking and the fluid that came out was of the same color of the fluid going in.

the 96 civic/98 corolla/99 corolla had their brake fluid changed and they went from greenish black to clear in brake fluid color at least, they are braking the same as before.

I wonder if we don't need to be as vigorous with brake fluid changes as we are taught to think, none of these cars loose any brake fluid though.

Power steering fluid? I have immense respect for honda power steering fluid, it has kept my power steering pumps leak free with me every changing them before. My two celicas oddly don't leak either by the camry and two corolla have power steering fluid loss somewhere, I haven't been able to find it yet.

 

[andyd]

Brake fluid absorbs water which lowers its boiling point over time. That is why it should be changed every so often.

 

[raytseng]

The replace brake fluid means to replace and bleed the brakes, not just suck out the reservoir.

It would just be your standard replace and bleed brakes. I believe only if there is a specific complaint about soft brakes then you would need to go to a dealer or shop who has the toyota computer in order to force cycling of the abs.

This job is standard at any shop for about $60 it's not rocket science.

If you want to half-[censored] it, you can just do reservoir I suppose. That's the same as just changing half your oil.

The interval should be around 3years/30k miles in all the older lexii, so the 36kmiles in the book is spot on.

The ATE has a tradeoff in that while it has better specs than dot3 and exceed dot4 by a lot, it's lifespan is lower/(it's behavior changes quicker). Most sites will indicate if you choose to use ATE you need to decrease your interval and change your fluid more often. Even though ATE spec says "3years" you should change it more often.

So unless you are racing, you are probably better off just with "normal" (but high quality) brake fluid in your change so you don't have to do it as often..

 

[MaximaGuy]

I honestly don't want to underneath and bleed them, my wife doesn't like me working on the vehicle. I possibly cannot bleed without help. I will think about it when my brakes are soft. Thx gentlemen.

 

[tommygunn]

I bleed/flush when replacing the pads/rotors.

Speed bleeders are your friend

 

[artificialist]

The Lexus manual means replacing all fluid in the lines. It probably doesn't require flushing the entire ABS module.

This is the only way brake fluid replacement should be done. Often the dirtiest fluid is in the brake hoses and calipers.

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
my wife doesn't like me working on the vehicle.

control freak? she doesn't think your mechanically inclined or your very clumsy?
if you don't want to do it understandable, but because your wife doesn't want you to and you actually agree with it without any thought, it's just mindless, this is just my thought...

My wife loves that I work on cars, her reason is it keeps me busy and distracted, better my money spent on cars then me chasing other females.

 

[MaximaGuy]

She believes in having "professionals" do it -- it is fear, I guess that I would screwup. Also my health is not the best of worlds, she thinks I throw money at it. In-fact, I have cut down on many maintenance items over the years to not get under the vehicle unless absolutely needed.

 

[asand1]

Not unique at all. Flushing the brakes every two years will keep the fluid from collecting too much H2O, and minimize rust in the lines and on caliper pistons. $6 worth of DOT 3 or 4 now could save you from later repairs or wrecking for that matter.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
I honestly don't want to underneath and bleed them, my wife doesn't like me working on the vehicle. I possibly cannot bleed without help. I will think about it when my brakes are soft. Thx gentlemen.


The pedal may get softer over time, but it will never "go soft."

While Brake fluid replacement is a recommended item on the schedule, since it is a DOT3 application, the need is less critical than on applications that call for DOT4.

I would still considering having it done...even if you had to pay the dealer $150.

 

[ford46guy]

Ford seems to have no problem with 20yo fluid. They probably figure that by then the brakes will be bled, but I have seen 20yo fords with black fluid and bleeders that weren't touched since Clinton was on his first term. They do use a special fluid from the factory, maybe that is why. The ford manual is pretty set on using Motocraft brake fluid. The local dealer here said they use it on all warranty and customer pay work.

 

[Burny]

I use Toyota brake fluid in the Red bottle. Usually takes 3 bottles. I do it the old way with 2 people and have never had an issue. I have 3 Lexus vehicles from 2002 to 2009, Just did my 09 last week. Just be sure to either start the vehicle or turn key to acc as it is required for the rears.