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Brake fluid flush at 42K WTF?

Cherokee

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Brake fluid every 30K? Ridiculous.
Flushing is not about miles it about time, seasons.
For a time I logged 80-90,000 miles a year in central Florida.
I flushed at 250,000 miles and the old fluid was still fine.

Another vehicle. I drove about 25,000 a year. Five years later my brakes sucked. The flush fixed it.
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Maverick2022XL

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I put over 500,000 miles on three classic Rangers over 33 years and NEVER flushed the brake fluid once. Never changed one spark plug either.

Does that make me right? Hell no, but i never had any trouble with my brakes except for pads and rotors.
Brake systems and fluid were also different them. No ABS systems and depending how old Dot 2 fluid which is a whole different beast from DOT 3 and up fluids. For starters DOT 2 is not hydroscopic because of the composition.
 
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Maverick2022XL

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Thanks I am not to worried about it. When I am I will flush the system myself.
That should read Dot 2 is not hydroscopic. Your truck your decisions. Jus keep in mind these newer systems are more prone to vapor lock because of the hydroscopic nature of the fluid. the more water it absorbs the lower the boiling point. ABS systems heat fluid much higher than older non ABS systems. Once your fluid starts boiling it produces gas bubbles in the fluid which leads to vapor lock.

If you want change it when it should actually be changed not when you feel it should be changed you need to periodically check the moisture content on the fluid in reservoir using an automotive refractometer. If the moisture content is under 3 - 3.5% the fluid is still good.
 

Maverick2022XL

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Flushing is not about miles it about time, seasons.
For a time I logged 80-90,000 miles a year in central Florida.
I flushed at 250,000 miles and the old fluid was still fine.

Another vehicle. I drove about 25,000 a year. Five years later my brakes sucked. The flush fixed it.
No it is about color and moisture content. Dark brown or black the fluid is done, 3% - 3.5% moisture content the fluid is also done regardless of color.
 

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That's a lot of money for that fuel system cleaning that's not really needed especially if your running Top Tier fuel. I don't really know the origin of the following graphic, but I made a screen shot of it here back when I was waiting for my Maverick to be delivered. No mention of fuel system cleaning as a maintenance item. Seems like the brake fluid is three years no mileage specified.
Ford Maverick Brake fluid flush at 42K   WTF? Screenshot_20260721-122221
 

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That should read Dot 2 is not hydroscopic. Your truck your decisions. Jus keep in mind these newer systems are more prone to vapor lock because of the hydroscopic nature of the fluid. the more water it absorbs the lower the boiling point. ABS systems heat fluid much higher than older non ABS systems. Once your fluid starts boiling it produces gas bubbles in the fluid which leads to vapor lock.

If you want change it when it should actually be changed not when you feel it should be changed you need to periodically check the moisture content on the fluid in reservoir using an automotive refractometer. If the moisture content is under 3 - 3.5% the fluid is still good.
Oh boy here we go... Cool! I deleted that thred because you changed your post... I am well aware of how to flush, bleed ect. and check brake fluid. (y)
 

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The Stealership is at it again. I have to say I have never changed brake fluid ever—only when I had to crack the lines for a caliper, brake hose, master cylinder, etc., to bleed the system. Idk, maybe this new fancy brake fluid is special... 🤷‍♂️
Some people also proudly proclaim to have never changed oil in their engine. Different strokes for different folks.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic. It absorbs water from the air over time. If you never change your fluid, you are gradually losing braking capability as time goes on, and risking failure of expensive parts like ABS sensors.

This isnt new either, brake fluid has been like this since you started driving. I'd bet REAL good money on that.
Brake systems and fluid were also different them. No ABS systems and depending how old Dot 2 fluid which is a whole different beast from DOT 3 and up fluids. For starters DOT 2 is not hydroscopic because of the composition.
DOT 3 came around in the mid 1960s. Those "classic rangers" all used DOT 3. DOT 2 is caastor/mineral oil based.

I HIGHLY doubt anybody here has ever actually driven a vehicle with DOT 2 fluid in it. Nobody sells the stuff, and havent for decades. Even those guys who still run classics from the 50s or earlier have mostly converted to DOT3, since it works FAR better then DOT2 ever did.
 

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The Stealership is at it again. I have to say I have never changed brake fluid ever—only when I had to crack the lines for a caliper, brake hose, master cylinder, etc., to bleed the system. Idk, maybe this new fancy brake fluid is special... 🤷‍♂️
It is, low viscosity fluid is needed for quick brake response without boiling the fluid in ABS systems and even more so with electronic brake boosters and things like ACC.
 

BK007

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It is, low viscosity fluid is needed for quick brake response without boiling the fluid in ABS systems and even more so with electronic brake boosters and things like ACC.
Cool! :facepalm:
 

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Some people also proudly proclaim to have never changed oil in their engine. Different strokes for different folks.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic. It absorbs water from the air over time. If you never change your fluid, you are gradually losing braking capability as time goes on, and risking failure of expensive parts like ABS sensors.

This isnt new either, brake fluid has been like this since you started driving. I'd bet REAL good money on that.

DOT 3 came around in the mid 1960s. Those "classic rangers" all used DOT 3. DOT 2 is caastor/mineral oil based.

I HIGHLY doubt anybody here has ever actually driven a vehicle with DOT 2 fluid in it. Nobody sells the stuff, and havent for decades. Even those guys who still run classics from the 50s or earlier have mostly converted to DOT3, since it works FAR better then DOT2 ever did.
Cool Yep very proud I got an award for it too. 🏆
 
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Maverick2022XL

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Some people also proudly proclaim to have never changed oil in their engine. Different strokes for different folks.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic. It absorbs water from the air over time. If you never change your fluid, you are gradually losing braking capability as time goes on, and risking failure of expensive parts like ABS sensors.

This isnt new either, brake fluid has been like this since you started driving. I'd bet REAL good money on that.

DOT 3 came around in the mid 1960s. Those "classic rangers" all used DOT 3. DOT 2 is caastor/mineral oil based.

I HIGHLY doubt anybody here has ever actually driven a vehicle with DOT 2 fluid in it. Nobody sells the stuff, and havent for decades. Even those guys who still run classics from the 50s or earlier have mostly converted to DOT3, since it works FAR better then DOT2 ever did.
Fair enough on the DOT 2 I am not a classic vehicle guy. The original point still applies, the fluid wasn't subjected to higher braking temps like it is in ABS system. Also and this I don't know the answer to is what material where the brake lines made out of on those trucks. If they were stainless steel they'd never corrode from water in the fluid.
 

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Oh boy here we go... Cool! I deleted that thred because you changed your post... I am well aware of how to flush, bleed ect. and check brake fluid. (y)
Let us know if you want a medal or a monument 👍 This a public forum comments and info within are meant for everyone reading.
 

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One of my favorites was a Subaru dealership service advisor trying to sell me a "decarbonize and decoke throttle body" service when I went in for an oil change. I told the service advisor that it was complete and utter bull manure.

He got pushy.

My impolite and vociferous response was heard by *every customer in the busy service area and many on the sales floor* as well as every mechanic working in the bays. I do tend to get loud when I'm indignant. When the service manager on duty came rushing over, he quickly shuffled the idiot that tried to BS me away and I got a free oil change and tire rotation that day.

Interestingly no one at that dealership ever tried to push any "extra" stuff on me again after that. :unsure: They must have made a note.
 

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One of my favorites was a Subaru dealership service advisor trying to sell me a "decarbonize and decoke throttle body" service when I went in for an oil change. I told the service advisor that it was complete and utter bull manure.

He got pushy.

My impolite and vociferous response was heard by *every customer in the busy service area and many on the sales floor* as well as every mechanic working in the bays. I do tend to get loud when I'm indignant. When the service manager on duty came rushing over, he quickly shuffled the idiot that tried to BS me away and I got a free oil change and tire rotation that day.

Interestingly no one at that dealership ever tried to push any "extra" stuff on me again after that. :unsure: They must have made a note.
What part is manure?

Did this outburst make you feel better about yourself?
 

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