Hybrid Brake Fluid Flush Cost?

[HeyBales]

FYI time based fluid change is absolutely the worst way to do fluids.

24MY manual points to website service schedule - and gives no interval for replacement.

But it does say inspect fluid levels and fluid on either 10K service, or the 6 month multi-point inspection - coolant says specifically the strength with refractometer.
No such recommendation for brake fluid as to best tool to use.

But if you are in humid environment, in prior cars with venting - time based was the best way.
Sitting in garage barely driven saw the same amount of humid air as one being driven.
Around hear 3-4 years was enough to see well over spec'd moisture content. At least not many long downhills to worry about!
Blew a Ford Taurus sedan or Mercury Sable wagon rear brake line from internal rust - rear brakes not replaced often, probably needed no bleeding ever. Bleeding other 3 after line replacement showed the gross stuff coming out. Did that routine as part of my used car purchase service thereafter, and for others. Always bad looking stuff. I'm guessing caps left off accidentally for chunks of time. Or using that opened bottle of fluid in garage sitting for 15 yrs.

Just did my mom's after who knows how long, - wasn't too bad.
Did the Rav4 with son after 9 yrs 80K (just looked it up, unless I missed an entry - egads!) - and my lack of attention to it showed in the disgusting fluid that came out - and the great brake pedal feel that remained.

So by time is a great way to check this fluid at least. If cap only comes off every 3 yrs - may not be a problem.
Wondering about vehicles with power-steering fluid now - at least no likely overheat conditions to cause moisture to boil on pressure side.

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[Cherokee]

Here I must speak again
2008 Toyota Tacoma 2.7 liter 4 cylinder stick,
Commercially driven in the central Florida heat and humidity, always 600 - 1,000 pounds of cargo in the bed and a 2,000 pound enclosed 5x8 trailer towed for over 150,000 miles of the 528,000 trouble free miles I got before engine compression started dropping.

Never felt any brake problems, many brake jobs.
Not once did any mechanic ever mention a brake fluid change was needed.
I did that half million plus miles in just under six years.

Five hundred and twenty eight thousand miles !
Did you get that ?
Just sayin.

But we used to do it every three years in our motorcycles.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

24MY manual points to website service schedule - and gives no interval for replacement.

But it does say inspect fluid levels and fluid on either 10K service, or the 6 month multi-point inspection - coolant says specifically the strength with refractometer.
No such recommendation for brake fluid as to best tool to use.

But if you are in humid environment, in prior cars with venting - time based was the best way.
Sitting in garage barely driven saw the same amount of humid air as one being driven.
Around hear 3-4 years was enough to see well over spec'd moisture content. At least not many long downhills to worry about!
Blew a Ford Taurus sedan or Mercury Sable wagon rear brake line from internal rust - rear brakes not replaced often, probably needed no bleeding ever. Bleeding other 3 after line replacement showed the gross stuff coming out. Did that routine as part of my used car purchase service thereafter, and for others. Always bad looking stuff. I'm guessing caps left off accidentally for chunks of time. Or using that opened bottle of fluid in garage sitting for 15 yrs.

Just did my mom's after who knows how long, - wasn't too bad.
Did the Rav4 with son after 9 yrs 80K (just looked it up, unless I missed an entry - egads!) - and my lack of attention to it showed in the disgusting fluid that came out - and the great brake pedal feel that remained.

So by time is a great way to check this fluid at least. If cap only comes off every 3 yrs - may not be a problem.
Wondering about vehicles with power-steering fluid now - at least no likely overheat conditions to cause moisture to boil on pressure side.

My 2022 manual shows "every 3 years". At 3 years my dealer service manager said "Maybe at five years but best to not remove cap. Have you removed the cap?". They check level by looking through plastic. (I don't know but does brake fluid glow in UV light and make it easier to see level?).
Just checked uv due has to be added and has to be comparable with your type of brake fluid so specifically made for different types of brake fluid.

 

[dalola]

Here I must speak again
2008 Toyota Tacoma 2.7 liter 4 cylinder stick,
Commercially driven in the central Florida heat and humidity, always 600 - 1,000 pounds of cargo in the bed and a 2,000 pound enclosed 5x8 trailer towed for over 150,000 miles of the 528,000 trouble free miles I got before engine compression started dropping.

Never felt any brake problems, many brake jobs.
Not once did any mechanic ever mention a brake fluid change was needed.
I did that half million plus miles in just under six years.

Five hundred and twenty eight thousand miles !
Did you get that ?
Just sayin.

But we used to do it every three years in our motorcycles.

Brake fluid degradation is largely time-based, so in under 6 years, you would most likely not notice any significant effects of poor brake fluid quality. But I can assure you, internal corrosion was well under way. In your case, it was mostly insignificant since the vehicle had essentially served its useful life span, so your example is perfectly feasible.

 

[Snox801]

Brake fluid degradation is largely time-based, so in under 6 years, you would most likely not notice any significant effects of poor brake fluid quality. But I can assure you, internal corrosion was well under way. In your case, it was mostly insignificant since the vehicle had essentially served its useful life span, so your example is perfectly feasible.

I disagree it does affect it but I can tell you heat form use is far more detrimental to brake fluid.
Go to any hpde track day and ask how long they go between fluid changes. They go hand in hand but fluid being hot breaks down. For easy daily stuff time may be the bigger issue but if you are using your brakes hard it’s definitely not time.

 

[Timothyd]

Brake fluid degradation is largely time-based, so in under 6 years, you would most likely not notice any significant effects of poor brake fluid quality. But I can assure you, internal corrosion was well under way. In your case, it was mostly insignificant since the vehicle had essentially served its useful life span, so your example is perfectly feasible.

I take much better care of my bike too.

 

[BDennis]

My 2022 manual shows "every 3 years". At 3 years my dealer service manager said "Maybe at five years but best to not remove cap. Have you removed the cap?". They check level by looking through plastic. (I don't know but does brake fluid glow in UV light and make it easier to see level?).
Just checked uv due has to be added and has to be comparable with your type of brake fluid so specifically made for different types of brake fluid.

Absolutely

People say they don’t notice any difference in their brakes for way more years or miles, it is because the degradation in braking is a slow gradual process. I went four years on my wife’s Rogue, and the pedal was definitely firmer afterwards, as well as brake pedal feel.

 

[BDennis]

FYI time based fluid change is absolutely the worst way to do fluids.

What about oil changes after a year, regardless of miles as our owners manual and oil manufacturers suggest?

 

[Headbanger]

Maybe I’ll add this to the list when I take mine in for recalls. $200 is nothing compared to what I pay at the Mercedes dealer for my motorhome.

 

[dalola]

I disagree it does affect it but I can tell you heat form use is far more detrimental to brake fluid.
Go to any hpde track day and ask how long they go between fluid changes. They go hand in hand but fluid being hot breaks down. For easy daily stuff time may be the bigger issue but if you are using your brakes hard it’s definitely not time.

No one is pushing a Maverick to the point of heat being the biggest factor of brake fluid degradation. And people with track cars already understand the importance of brake fluid maintenance.

 

[Snox801]

What about oil changes after a year, regardless of miles as our owners manual and oil manufacturers suggest?

Different fluids with different reasons to change. Do I think it’s needed nope. Do I do it yep. But I also change my oil early for the same reason I would do brakes. I stress mine out before the time window so for me it is not as big of deal. But one fluid is as hydraulic system and all about compression of fluid one is lubricant. Kinda different systems.

One claims moisture to be and issue the other is suspension of additives. Kinda apples and oranges.

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