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

[superdave80]

it’s not something that developed, so it has always been there, and so always needed replacing periodically.

But the manufacturers did not recommend a replacement interval.

but still should only cost c£\$60 which sounds a good insurance policy,

Given the quotes I've heard on this forum for software updates from the dealerships, I have a hard time believing they will only charge $60 for a brake fluid flush. Anybody paid a dealership for a brake fluid flush that they want to share?

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[sparkout]

its not wrong, no harm in it, do it if you want, just not nessesary so often.

 

[Teslaeata]

But the manufacturers did not recommend a replacement interval.

Given the quotes I've heard on this forum for software updates from the dealerships, I have a hard time believing they will only charge $60 for a brake fluid flush. Anybody paid a dealership for a brake fluid flush that they want to share?

£37.46 plus VAT (UK sales tax) = £44.95 inc parts & labour 2 yrs ago. Needs doing again next week. Brake fluid-change is 2yrs on UK cars.

 

[Teslaeata]

I read that too, a few months ago. Biggest crock of crap I've ever read. Lol. The internet has much errant information in it.

Moisture in brake fluid can cause corrosion of components and can lead to less efficient braking performance because the moisture can vaporize to a trapped gas (compressable) in the system. The latter is a concern more in emergency braking situations.

It though can surely be debated what the interval should be.

No “debate”, brake fluid maker says 3 years, it’s 3 years. They’d know, they develop it??‍

 

[StevenC56]

Moisture enters brake fluid primarily through hygroscopic properties, where the fluid absorbs water from the environment. This can happen through seals, hoses, the master cylinder reservoir, or even microscopic pores in the system. Regular brake fluid replacement is crucial to prevent moisture buildup and its negative effects.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Hygroscopic Nature:
Most DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids are hygroscopic, meaning they readily absorb moisture from the surrounding air.
Entry Points:
Moisture can enter the brake system through various points, including:
Brake lines and hoses: Microscopic pores in these components can allow water to seep in.
Seals: Damaged or worn seals in the master cylinder, calipers, or other components can create entry points for moisture.
Master cylinder reservoir: Leaving the cap open, even for a short time, can allow moisture to enter.
Consequences of Moisture:
Reduced boiling point: Moisture lowers the boiling point of brake fluid, which can lead to vapor lock (gas bubbles) in the lines, resulting in a spongy or mushy brake pedal.
Corrosion: Moisture can corrode metal components, especially steel parts in the braking system, like caliper pistons.
Regular Replacement:
To prevent moisture contamination, it's recommended to replace brake fluid every one to two years, or more frequently in humid climates.

 

[ensign_lee]

@superdave80 - oh, I guess I got ripped off then lol. I just paid $250 when the dealership had my car for the oil pump failure. Figured as long as the car was at the dealership, I should just get all the preventative maintenance done all at once (4 years, 60k miles here).

 

[superdave80]

No “debate”, brake fluid maker says 3 years, it’s 3 years.

Well yes, we can debate (no quotes needed).

STP brake fluid, quote from their own website:
" Usage Frequency: As needed. "

Dupont brake fluid:
No mention of how often to change, only mentions that one of the advantages of their product is "Long-term stability"

Prestone:
No time recommendation, they only mention " 50,000-mile extended life fluid".

Valvoline:
No recommended replacement interval that I could find.

If they have a three-year recommendation, they sure aren't advertising it...

 

[2FlyMache]

I just had mine flushed after 4 years for around $165. No noticeable difference but figured it was probably prudent

 

[Teslaeata]

I just had mine flushed after 4 years for around $165. No noticeable difference but figured it was probably prudent

Correct thing to do ?

It’s a preventative measure so should be done before you experience brake failure due to vapour lock.

It’s not the sort of (additional) service requirement that should make a discernible difference.

 

[Teslaeata]

Well yes, we can debate (no quotes needed).

STP brake fluid, quote from their own website:
" Usage Frequency: As needed. "

Dupont brake fluid:
No mention of how often to change, only mentions that one of the advantages of their product is "Long-term stability"

Prestone:
No time recommendation, they only mention " 50,000-mile extended life fluid".

Valvoline:
No recommended replacement interval that I could find.

If they have a three-year recommendation, they sure aren't advertising it...

This is the kind of unqualified advice and argument which is dangerous.

I stopped after looking up STP because your inexperience sufficiently limits your expertise in the area, your research is limited to only that which you want to believe and and your inability to interpret what you see is manifest.

Of course usage is as required?

You need to top up or change your brake fluid is when usage is required.

You need to READ AND UNDERSTAND what you’re seeing.

Elsewhere on their site they state, and I will quote, in quotation marks:

“A necessary step in brake system maintenance is changing the brake fluid. Brake fluid is hygroscopic (it absorbs water). Replacing used fluid with fresh fluid keeps the system free of moisture. If your brakes seem to not work as well as they used to in severe stopping conditions, flushing the brake fluid and adding fresh fluid can restore braking performance.”

It’s not particularly well-worded but the gist is how essential it is to change the fluid though your vehicle manufacturer should always be the go-to source of information for the time period and you certainly should be changing brake fluid before “your brakes seem to not work as well as they used to in severe stopping conditions” because “once your brakes seem to not work as well as they used to in severe stopping conditions” due to a vapour lock situation is too late because you could be dead!

It is a PREVENTATIVE measure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer & brake slugs makers and for good reason, and is actually recommended by STP though the point in time they recommend it in that passage on their website is not very well put.

So, brake fluid should be changed periodically irrespective of what half-arsed argument is made on the basis of selectively used or ignored information trawled from the internet.

You’re really very welcome?

ASIDE - Had mine changed Thursday for £50, best value insurance policy I buy………every other year.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

This is the kind of unqualified advice and argument which is dangerous.

I stopped after looking up STP because your inexperience sufficiently limits your expertise in the area, your research is limited to only that which you want to believe and and your inability to interpret what you see is manifest.

Of course usage is as required?

You need to top up or change your brake fluid is when usage is required.

You need to READ AND UNDERSTAND what you’re seeing.

Elsewhere on their site they state, and I will quote, in quotation marks:

“A necessary step in brake system maintenance is changing the brake fluid. Brake fluid is hygroscopic (it absorbs water). Replacing used fluid with fresh fluid keeps the system free of moisture. If your brakes seem to not work as well as they used to in severe stopping conditions, flushing the brake fluid and adding fresh fluid can restore braking performance.”

It’s not particularly well-worded but the gist is how essential it is to change the fluid though your vehicle manufacturer should always be the go-to source of information for the time period and you certainly should be changing brake fluid before “your brakes seem to not work as well as they used to in severe stopping conditions” because “once your brakes seem to not work as well as they used to in severe stopping conditions” due to a vapour lock situation is too late because you could be dead!

It is a PREVENTATIVE measure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer & brake slugs makers and for good reason, and is actually recommended by STP though the point in time they recommend it in that passage on their website is not very well put.

So, brake fluid should be changed periodically irrespective of what half-arsed argument is made on the basis of selectively used or ignored information trawled from the internet.

You’re really very welcome?

ASIDE - Had mine changed Thursday for £50, best value insurance policy I buy………every other year.

The dude is always looking for a bone to chew on. He will never let it go until you ignore him. Learnt that the hard way.

 

[Teslaeata]

The dude is always looking for a bone to chew on. He will never let it go until you ignore him. Learnt that the hard way.

Noted ?

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Noted ?

He’s some kind of IT administrator and I keep telling him leave auto stuff to grease monkeys, cause code monkeys simply lack the experience ??‍

 

[superdave80]

He’s some kind of IT administrator

I am not an IT administrator (although it was briefly one of my side duties at a small factory I worked at long ago). And I'm sorry if you seem to think I have a bone to chew. I thought we could discuss things here, but apparently it is upsetting you to the point that you are warning others about me.

Teslaeata claimed that brake fluid makers said to change fluid every three years ("no debate"). I wondered if that was actually true. I discovered that it isn't (at least not in any public documents I could find). I pointed this out. He decided to treat me like an ignorant child that doesn't know anything, and then proceeded to write several paragraphs that STILL don't show that there is any recommended replacement period by the brake fluid makers.

 

[Ned]

Thank You for the research. We needed that.

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