Has anyone replaced brake fluid when your Mach e turns into 3 years old?

[Ford_orr]

They might not replace it under warranty unless you also have a service plan separate from that warranty. When my 12v battery died during my extended warranty, they said the 12v was a consumable and therefore not covered by the extended warranty.

They may take the same posture with the brake fluid since it technically is in the manual as part of regular maintenance that it should be replaced, meaning, you are not having it replaced because of a failure occurring like say with your a/c breaking but because time is up on that fluid's useful life.

Yeah, fair point. I guess we'll see in eight years what happens. Worst case scenario, I just pay out of pocket. I'm also going to start checking it at the three year mark then subsequently every year until then. I bought one of these:

TESMEN TBF-300 Brake Fluid Tester

Don't anticipate any issues, but at least I'll be somewhat monitoring it until that eight year mark.

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[sparkout]

Its manual calls for it. Mine will be three in a couple of weeks. I tested the fluid with a ITEQ Brake Fluid Liquid Tester Pen. It oked it. So I'm not doing anything with it.

What do you guys think?

Not till I hit 50K, then maybe. 1 pedal is supposed to regen and save using the brakes. I may even wait till 80k, On my yearr 2000 s2000 Honda I had it done after 13 yrs. It's been 12 years since, so I might do it again soon.

 

[Ned]

I have been driving cars since 1954 and usually turn them in between 85,000 and 100,000 miles. That's over 6 million miles and have never changed brake fluid. And that has never caused any problems.

 

[StevenC56]

I have been driving cars since 1954 and usually turn them in between 85,000 and 100,000 miles. That's over 6 million miles and have never changed brake fluid. And that has never caused any problems.

You were fortunate. Whoever owned the vehicles after you may not have been.

Look folks, it's just preventative maintenance. If you don't want to do it, that your prerogative. But to those of us who have worked in Service, it's just the right thing to do at some point. 3 years may be a bit soon, but Ford is just playing it safe on that recommendation since there are so many variables.

 

[ARK]

You were fortunate. Whoever owned the vehicles after you may not have been.

Look folks, it's just preventative maintenance. If you don't want to do it, that your prerogative. But to those of us who have worked in Service, it's just the right thing to do at some point. 3 years may be a bit soon, but Ford is just playing it safe on that recommendation since there are so many variables.

Can you tell if your brake fluid in failing based on problems with how the vehicle brakes, or is it one of those things where one day performance is normal, the next day there is catastrophic failure?

Because based on if you can tell the fluid is starting to not do its job, I think that would impact peoples decisions to do it on schedule or wait until they notice something is up.

 

[StevenC56]

Can you tell if your brake fluid in failing based on problems with how the vehicle brakes, or is it one of those things where one day performance is normal, the next day there is catastrophic failure?

Because based on if you can tell the fluid is starting to not do its job, I think that would impact peoples decisions to do it on schedule or wait until they notice something is up.

The fluid degradation is slow over time. Most people don't notice anything unless there's a major component failure. That being said, take a vehicle in for the flush that's several years old and you will most likely notice a firmer more direct pedal feel afterwards. There are actually devices that check the moisture concentration % in the fluid.

 

[StevenC56]

Here's what you need to check the moisture level in your brake fluid. Under $20 and accurate enough for making an informed decision about when to flush your hydraulic brake system fluid.

 

[sparkout]

Replacing your 2024 to my 2022 in ford.com site basically came up with the same thing, it differs from the PDF version. I guess Ford thinks the replacement is unnecessary. That gives me another reason of do-nothing.

Nothing for me either until 80000 miles using one drive, maybe sooner if a brake job is needed and maybe longer if not.

 

[sparkout]

My previous cars years/miles: 18yr/250k, 12yr/200k, 10yr/140k, 6yr/100k. I have never once done anything to the brake fluid.

I changed my year 2000 S2000 Honda at 13 years with 35,000 miles. Now, it's been 12 years since that, but I've only added an additional 25,000 miles. Maybe in another year or two.

 

[Teslaeata]

I have been driving cars since 1954 and usually turn them in between 85,000 and 100,000 miles. That's over 6 million miles and have never changed brake fluid. And that has never caused any problems.

Anybody who died be because of brake failure posting here or just this ignoramuses who got lucky?

Ah, thought not ?????

It’s a preventative, the maker recommends it so why wouldn’t you??‍

 

[Teslaeata]

Can you tell if your brake fluid in failing based on problems with how the vehicle brakes, or is it one of those things where one day performance is normal, the next day there is catastrophic failure?

Because based on if you can tell the fluid is starting to not do its job, I think that would impact peoples decisions to do it on schedule or wait until they notice something is up.

You’ll find out just before you die.

It’s the point your brakes get hot enough to boil the moisture content in the system and it turns to steam.

You’ll get a warning.

Your brake pedal goes all the way down to the floor just as somebody turns out your lights ?

It’s c £/$60 FFS!

You’ll probably wanker that away on smoking, drugs, drinking or something.

????

 

[superdave80]

t’s a preventative, the maker recommends it so why wouldn’t you

Well, let's look at how things have changed over the years. On older cars, you could (from what has been said on this forum) easily do a brake fluid change yourself. But the maker generally did not recommend any particular interval to do this (at least on any of my older vehicles manuals that I looked up).

Fast forward to today's cars, and suddenly (from my Mach-E manual):

1 Perform this maintenance item every 3 years. Do not exceed the designated time for
the interval.
2 Brake fluid servicing requires special equipment available at your authorized dealer.

Wow, so now the maker decides you need it every three years. BUT it can only be done by them with their super-special equipment and computers.


Read between the lines, people.

 

[sparkout]

Nah, I don't think so. You think I'm trying to stop a 747 or something?

 

[Teslaeata]

Well, let's look at how things have changed over the years. On older cars, you could (from what has been said on this forum) easily do a brake fluid change yourself. But the maker generally did not recommend any particular interval to do this (at least on any of my older vehicles manuals that I looked up).

Fast forward to today's cars, and suddenly (from my Mach-E manual):


Wow, so now the maker decides you need it every three years. BUT it can only be done by them with their super-special equipment and computers.


Read between the lines, people.

I think if you look in the right places you’ll find brake fluid has always been hygroscopic, it’s not something that developed, so it has always been there, and so always needed replacing periodically.

It is a bit more technical a job than the DIY-er can do but still should only cost c£\$60 which sounds a good insurance policy, more valuable that getting sucked into extra spec pollen filters and other stuff the gullible will be led to pay for, I will add IMO to keep the trolls at bay?

 

[StevenC56]

This discussion brings back old memories of my Technician and Service Manager days. There's always a few people that will say "Give me no brake fluid flushes, or give me death"! Hey, if you don't want to do it because you never have all your life, that's fine. But don't try to make people who do the preventative maintenance feel like they are doing something wrong.

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