Brake fluid flush at 42K WTF?

[Hot Runr Guy]

The hardest part of replacing a cabin air filter is not dumping all the stuff in your glove box all over the floor when you unclip the side pins.

Actually, once you release the side clips, the entire box can be lifted out, relatively upright. The bottom hinge is not captured.

HRG

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[MavChris]

I was intrigued by the recommendation of changing the brake fluid every 3 years. I went ahead and ordered one of the brake fluid testers from Amazon. I’ve had the truck for just about 3.5 years and 45,000 miles. Tested fluid and came out to .48%. In the green and perfectly fine. Just for the heck of it I tested the brake fluid in my wife’s 2019 Flex. We’ve had that vehicle for almost 7 years and 76,000 miles. Tested out to .95%. Also in the Green and should be good for some time. We live in SE Michigan so it can get humid, but nothing prolonged. I suppose it depends on the climate you live in and how hard you work the brakes as to when you need to change the brake fluid.

 

[BK007]

I was intrigued by the recommendation of changing the brake fluid every 3 years. I went ahead and ordered one of the brake fluid testers from Amazon. I’ve had the truck for just about 3.5 years and 45,000 miles. Tested fluid and came out to .48%. In the green and perfectly fine. Just for the heck of it I tested the brake fluid in my wife’s 2019 Flex. We’ve had that vehicle for almost 7 years and 76,000 miles. Tested out to .95%. Also in the Green and should be good for some time. We live in SE Michigan so it can get humid, but nothing prolonged. I suppose it depends on the climate you live in and how hard you work the brakes as to when you need to change the brake fluid.

Nice work! Thanks for that.

 

[JBL14]

Brakes are the most important safety component on every car.
On older vehicles the DOT 3 is hydroscopic, absorbs water. Not sure what the Maverick uses.
All of the Ford recommendations are targeting 100000 mile lifetime/warranty and disposable car trends. I ignore Ford because they are not motivated to have the cars last long. I keep vehicles until the wheels fall off.
If you are like me and try to do most of the maintenance, some mechanics recommend changing brake fluid every two years on older cars. Mileage is kind of irrelevant. It is case by case really but I never go past 5 years.
It is usually not that hard to change the fluid yourself.

 

[ychuck46]

I was intrigued by the recommendation of changing the brake fluid every 3 years. I went ahead and ordered one of the brake fluid testers from Amazon. I’ve had the truck for just about 3.5 years and 45,000 miles. Tested fluid and came out to .48%. In the green and perfectly fine. Just for the heck of it I tested the brake fluid in my wife’s 2019 Flex. We’ve had that vehicle for almost 7 years and 76,000 miles. Tested out to .95%. Also in the Green and should be good for some time. We live in SE Michigan so it can get humid, but nothing prolonged. I suppose it depends on the climate you live in and how hard you work the brakes as to when you need to change the brake fluid.

I've never used one of those testers so I am curious - what is the proper % range for the average vehicle, and what exactly is it measuring? Thank you, sir.

 

[HeyBales]

Up to 2% is considered not too bad yet, but above 1% plan on changing.

It's the water content in the fluid - which below 1% is to be expected since it absorbs moisture.

Why it's recommended don't keep open bottles of unknown age and then use it.
It would be interesting for a certain region - to test open jar lids of DOT 3 & 4 and see which is worse after a week and then a month of time.

My mom's car, after 5 years here - was not only above 4%, but looked disgusting.


Another good tester to get - coolant strength refractometer.
That one's in the manual for testing annually or less.
Guessing may not get up to the 200k/10 yrs scheduled maintenance replacement with constant testing.

 

[MavChris]

I've never used one of those testers so I am curious - what is the proper % range for the average vehicle, and what exactly is it measuring? Thank you, sir.

Hi,
My understanding is 0% to 1% is excellent, 1% to 2% is OK, but consider changing. 2.5% to 3% needs to be changed. 3% or more is danger and change immediately. It is measuring the percentage of water in the brake fluid.

 

[ychuck46]

Hi,
My understanding is 0% to 1% is excellent, 1% to 2% is OK, but consider changing. 2.5% to 3% needs to be changed. 3% or more is danger and change immediately. It is measuring the percentage of water in the brake fluid.

Thank you, sir!

 

[notaz3]

Guess I'm lucky. The few times I took my vehicles to the dealership for warranty repair, the did the repairs and gave me back the vehicle no up sale attempts.
The only time I use the dealership is for warranty.

 

[Sovande]

Brake fluid every 30K? Ridiculous.

The recommended duration is 2 years or 30k. Not sure why any of this is viewed as ridiculous?

 

[El Kabong]

The recommended duration is 2 years or 30k. Not sure why any of this is viewed as ridiculous?

???? please quote your source? 2026 owners manual says:

 

[Feldgary53]

Just got the 26C10 Trailer Module recall done, and as expected, the "upsell" continues. I'm at 48K/22 months in-service, they are recommending a new cabin filter (replaced 15K ago), and a brake fluid flush. Mind you, the manual shows the brake fluid at 3 years, no mileage, and when I questioned the need, they claim it should be done every 30K. Also suggested the trans fluid be done at 30K, I told them the trans, PTU & RDU have already been done, and was documented in my FordPass account.

At least the coffee in the waiting room is still free,,,,,

HRG

Brake fluid should be flushed every 2 years regardless of mileage. It’s been SOP for decades since brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and becomes less effective and can cause brake system corrosion. Cheap insurance.

 

[Sovande]

???? please quote your source? 2026 owners manual says:

I was speaking in general, apologies. Generally speaking the duration is 2-3 years. The fluid absorbs water. Replacing it is not a crazy money grab.

 

[TonyP19]

I will have my brake fluid flushed every three years regardless of milage. I do my BMW every two.

 

[El Kabong]

I was speaking in general, apologies. Generally speaking the duration is 2-3 years. The fluid absorbs water. Replacing it is not a crazy money grab.

I agree it's a needed item but am always cautious to recommend that **READING THE OWNERS MANUAL** is an important part of vehicle ownership. Unscrupulous service departments are always willing to fleece unsuspecting owners out of their money.

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