Dealer recommends brake fluid replacement at 30k miles for $350, comment?

[Mach-Lee]

I have seen other posts on merits on whether this is really needed. The SF bay area is not very humid, advisor indicated this is not on Ford's maintenance schedule, but a dealer recommendation (?!). Seems pricey for something that I'm not sure is really needed. I know all cars are different, but my 2007 Prius went over 220k miles without needing any brake work. I got the advisor to agree that the best course of action is to see if they find anything at the 30k service inspection before deciding whether the brake fluid change is required, comments?

Brake fluid should be done every 3-6 years depending on how humid it is where you live (it lasts longer in dry climates). It's best to test the moisture and change it based on that to prevent unnecessary fluid changes.

Mine is still dry after 3 years, I check it annually and replace once I see moisture showing up on the tester.

Here is a map of average dew point. You can see if you're in South Florida, you'd want to adhere to the every 3-year schedule, but if you live in the Rockies, you'd probably be able to stretch it to 6+ years.

Sponsored

 

[Teslaeata]

Ridiculous price!

And

 

[BullittHitsTheBone]

My question would be: "What exactly does 'brake fluid replacement' entail?'" You can replace the fluid in the reservoir with a suction device--think large syringe, or a turkey baster for that matter--in a few minutes. A true flush requires bleeding at all four corners, either pressure or vacuum and probably close to a quart of fluid (it's the fluid in the lines that is subject to heat degradation; moisture isn't the only issue). Sometimes, bleeding for a good pedal requires the old 'pump the pedal and hold' method, and two people. Current shop rates are around $150/hr in metro areas and most have an hour minimum (which isn't grossly out-of-line). Used fluid should be disposed of in an environmentally sound way ($$$).

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Brake fluid should be done every 3-6 years depending on how humid it is where you live (it lasts longer in dry climates). It's best to test the moisture and change it based on that to prevent unnecessary fluid changes.

Mine is still dry after 3 years, I check it annually and replace once I see moisture showing up on the tester.

Here is a map of average dew point. You can see if you're in South Florida, you'd want to adhere to the every 3-year schedule, but if you live in the Rockies, you'd probably be able to stretch it to 6+ years.

Which tester do you use, Lee? Most i’ve seen have reviews say that they are unreliable.

 

[Teslaeata]

Brake fluid should be done every 3-6 years depending on how humid it is where you live (it lasts longer in dry climates). It's best to test the moisture and change it based on that to prevent unnecessary fluid changes.

Mine is still dry after 3 years, I check it annually and replace once I see moisture showing up on the tester.

Here is a map of average dew point. You can see if you're in South Florida, you'd want to adhere to the every 3-year schedule, but if you live in the Rockies, you'd probably be able to stretch it to 6+ years.

Point me to that in Ford’s service schedule, if you would, please.

 

[Teslaeata]

It

My question would be: "What exactly does 'brake fluid replacement' entail?'" You can replace the fluid in the reservoir with a suction device--think large syringe, or a turkey baster for that matter--in a few minutes. A true flush requires bleeding at all four corners, either pressure or vacuum and probably close to a quart of fluid (it's the fluid in the lines that is subject to heat degradation; moisture isn't the only issue). Sometimes, bleeding for a good pedal requires the old 'pump the pedal and hold' method, and two people. Current shop rates are around $150/hr in metro areas and most have an hour minimum (which isn't grossly out-of-line). Used fluid should be disposed of in an environmentally sound way ($$$).

It should involve purging the old fluid right out the system and out the bleed screw at each brake wheel unit by pumping new fluid from the reservoir.

Diagnostic kit is required to do this for newer cars such as ours.

Changing the fluid in the reservoir does not change the fluid in the hydraulic lines right down to the brake wheel units where the moisture in the fluid will heat and vaporise with the consequent effect of brake failure in conditions of heavy, prolonged braking when brake fluid has become “wet”.

There are professional bits of kit that can test the boiling point of the brake fluid but that’s only the fluid you can draw from the reservoir so you never know the boiling point of the fluid in the lines close to the brake wheel units hence the maker’s fluid change period.

 

[SteveMach-ee]

Brake fluid should be done every 3-6 years depending on how humid it is where you live (it lasts longer in dry climates). It's best to test the moisture and change it based on that to prevent unnecessary fluid changes.

Mine is still dry after 3 years, I check it annually and replace once I see moisture showing up on the tester.

Here is a map of average dew point. You can see if you're in South Florida, you'd want to adhere to the every 3-year schedule, but if you live in the Rockies, you'd probably be able to stretch it to 6+ years.

Does anyone use a tester like this? https://www.amazon.com/KAIWEETS-Corrosion-Resistance-High-Precision-Calibrated/dp/B0D9M279V9 , Seems to be same price as test strips.

 

[dalola]

I have seen other posts on merits on whether this is really needed. The SF bay area is not very humid, advisor indicated this is not on Ford's maintenance schedule, but a dealer recommendation (?!). Seems pricey for something that I'm not sure is really needed. I know all cars are different, but my 2007 Prius went over 220k miles without needing any brake work. I got the advisor to agree that the best course of action is to see if they find anything at the 30k service inspection before deciding whether the brake fluid change is required, comments?

If you have long term ownership plans, or a concern for the next owner, it's good practice to flush brake fluid every 2-3 years, regardless of where you live, or how/how much you drive.

Consider a quart bottle of DOT4 LV is $20-30 (check the expiration date on the bottle). A quality air compressor powered vacuum bleeder is ~$150. An hour of your time. The only fluid left behind is in the ABS solenoids. Most dealers will not do a computer bleed, where the ABS solenoids are cycled, even tho this is the "required" service. Doing it at 2-3 year intervals negates the need to cycle the solenoids during bleeding, assuming they are cycled occasionally during normal driving. (easy to do in winter driving)

Following this method/schedule, you should never have a fluid related problem for the life of the car. You may never anyway, even if you do nothing.

Place your bet accordingly.

 

[BullittHitsTheBone]

It

It should involve purging the old fluid right out the system and out the bleed screw at each brake wheel unit by pumping new fluid from the reservoir.

Diagnostic kit is required to do this for newer cars such as ours.

Changing the fluid in the reservoir does not change the fluid in the hydraulic lines right down to the brake wheel units where the moisture in the fluid will heat and vaporise with the consequent effect of brake failure in conditions of heavy, prolonged braking when brake fluid has become “wet”.

There are professional bits of kit that can test the boiling point of the brake fluid but that’s only the fluid you can draw from the reservoir so you never know the boiling point of the fluid in the lines close to the brake wheel units hence the maker’s fluid change period.

All good info. But, point being, what will a dealer actually DO? I can see some of them just replacing the fluid in the reservoir and charging $300. Am I just too cynical?

 

[Teslaeata]

They shou

All good info. But, point being, what will a dealer actually DO? I can see some of them just replacing the fluid in the reservoir and charging $300. Am I just too cynical?

They should do what they’re supposed to do and we should be able to rely on them to do that and the suspicion they won’t isn’t good enough excuse not to allow them to do what they’re supposed to do at the correct intervals.

 

[BullittHitsTheBone]

Thanks. But I'm going to remain cynical.

 

[dalola]

All good info. But, point being, what will a dealer actually DO? I can see some of them just replacing the fluid in the reservoir and charging $300. Am I just too cynical?

Sadly, for every dealer that does it correctly, there are probably ten that won't. My own opinion, from life experience, based on zero statistics.

Unless you watch them do it, assume it's half-ass. That's why I do my own. Feel free to disagree.

 

[byoungblood]

Yes, brake fluid change is a requirement.

UK is 2 years but I get it for c£70, it’s not a massive job, think you Americans are being shafted.

Our dealers LOVE to prey on the unwary.

Even a lot of private shops are silly high for minor jobs, probably because they're tens of thousands of dollars in debt to the tool truck guys.

 

[shark]

I would never take any vehicle I own to the dealer for routine service like fluid changes unless it was 100% covered under warranty. They don't have Jiffy Lube in SF?

 

[Teslaeata]

Our dealers LOVE to prey on the unwary.

Even a lot of private shops are silly high for minor jobs, probably because they're tens of thousands of dollars in debt to the tool truck guys.

We’ve all been there, brother, in debt to the tool truck guys that is - Snap-On I seem to remember from my apprenticeship.

Sponsored