"Change the Brake Fluid"

[TacoHolder]

Afaik brake fluid has always been a service item. Personally once a year I will suck out fluid from the reservoir (careful not to let air into the system) and replace with clean fluid to try and avoid having to do a completely system flush.

Do it once a week for a month and the fluid is pretty close to what a flush job would do. Same for the clutch and power steering, though neither of those is really a thing on newer cars.

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[Gripdad]

Mercedes Benz has a brake fluid change requirement every two years.

 

[alh01]

I have a pressure bleeder kit for both of my cars. I typically run high end Motul fluid and completely flush the system every other year on my ford. On my dodge it is every year. With the pressure bleeder it takes about 15 minutes once the wheels are off.
Beyond the water/vapor in the system, fresh fluid helps prevent brake line corrosion.

 

[Red Ryder]

A brake fluid hack I was told by a Honda trained mechanic, that I do. Get a turkey baster and pull one-two basters full of brake fluid out each year, then put new fluid back to the same level it was. It It will mix together and keep the fluid fresh. Basically, never have to fully change the fluid and/or bleed the brakes.

That is the dilution/substitution method. It works great in power steering systems and automatic transmissions. I do it on my wife's Honda. On that vehicle, I replace 3.3 quarts of automatic transmission fluid at every oil change. I have also done this with a turkey baster on power steering systems. The transmission fluid intermingles and the power steering fluid recirculates.
This method is not effective on brake systems as the fluids don't intermingle or recirculate as on the above mentioned systems. In other words, emptying and refilling the brake fluid reservoir will not replace fluid downstream without bleeding the brakes. Brake fluid is actually available in different colors to verify proper replacement. Each wheel cylinder is bled (in the correct order), until the replacement fluid color is apparent.

 

[MLowe05]

Mercedes Benz has a brake fluid change requirement every two years.

Yes. All 5 of my Benz cars had this requirement as far back as 2005. As did our Porsche. This stuff is really common with German cars.

I have not really seen this mentioned on our other brands, though. Either way, it should not be expensive.

 

[Probity]

All BMW motorcycles I previously owned recommended YEARLY brake fluid changes. Operable word being 'recommended'.

 

[VRausch]

Just remember that DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 are compatible, but DOT 5 (silicone based instead of glycol based) is NOT compatible with the rest.

Every 3 years is probably a fine recommendation for anyone as there are so many varying climate differences, driving styles, etc. The truck is far from high performance, so this is likely a really aggressive service interval, but brakes aren't one of those things you want to risk I suppose.

 

[Brian_J]

I'm no mechanic but that sounds extremely excessive. I can't imagine needing to change the brake fluid below like 100k miles

i change the brake fluid on my motorcycle every year with high quality fluid. Even then, I notice the difference at the lever.

 

[Brian_J]

Just remember that DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 are compatible, but DOT 5 (silicone based instead of glycol based) is NOT compatible with the rest.

Every 3 years is probably a fine recommendation for anyone as there are so many varying climate differences, driving styles, etc. The truck is far from high performance, so this is likely a really aggressive service interval, but brakes aren't one of those things you want to risk I suppose.

I’d add that if you are towing more, change it more often. It would really suck to get brake fade while pulling a trailer. Not that it’s fun ANYTIME…

 

[oljackfrost]

Had Subarus for 21 years before the Maverick (still coming). Changing out the brake fluid was always part of the Subie maintenance schedule on my vehicles.

 

[bgn]

It's 3 years so they can charge you for services more often than truly required. 3 year brake fluid change is laughable for 99.9% of vehicles.

 

[bgn]

A brake fluid hack I was told by a Honda trained mechanic, that I do. Get a turkey baster and pull one-two basters full of brake fluid out each year, then put new fluid back to the same level it was. It It will mix together and keep the fluid fresh. Basically, never have to fully change the fluid and/or bleed the brakes.

Been doing this for years on my Accord. No issues.

 

[Finklejag]

A brake fluid hack I was told by a Honda trained mechanic, that I do. Get a turkey baster and pull one-two basters full of brake fluid out each year, then put new fluid back to the same level it was. It It will mix together and keep the fluid fresh. Basically, never have to fully change the fluid and/or bleed the brakes.

This method doesn’t work since you will never get the fluid inside the caliper or wheel cylinder out.

VW calls for 2 year brake fluid replacement on my older cars.

 

[46weasel]

I think HD calls for fluid change every 3 years. I did see brake fluid moisture testers on Amazon for less than $10. Maybe an affordable way to check fluid condition.

 

[Canucklehead]

I bought a one way check valve off Amazon and some Dot 4 ATE fluid. I bled all 4 wheels and kept topping up the master cylinder. This was at the 3 year mark in my Civic and could not believe the difference in pedal feel. Definitely worth it for $30.

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