30,000mile brake flush

So who's actually done it?
Guessing the dealer set it up on my head unit for the reminder.
Just got it now and I'm really questioning if it's needed already.

I get over time it does break down etc but in 2 years/30,000miles seems a bit soon to me to already need it changed l.

If it wasn't winter and I could do it in my driveway I would just do it but too cold.

 

This is another one that will have answers all over the board.
Personally? I don't even think about changing it until the 3rd year. That's close to 100K miles for me. Also, changing and flushing are two different things. I would never have it flushed, just changed. Unless, you get water in there. That is really the only reason to change, to get any moisture out.
Honda recommends every three years.
Mercedes every two years.
Chevy every 45K

They are all over the board and frankly, there is nothing special on a brake system unless you go high end.

Sounds like your dealer just needs some cash lol.

Questions: Are your brakes working fine? Have you had lines replaced? Have you had any loss of fluid? Have you even taken the cap off the reservoir? If the answer is no, then you are good.

MY OPINION haha.

 

So......How would you actually "change" the fluid without flushing it? Unless you are just talking about replacing the reservoir fluid? In order to fully "change" the fluid, you would need to flush all of the lines free of all the old to bleed through the new.

 

I searched it quick didn't find anything really .Granted on my phone so didn't do as thorough search.

And I agree I've never done it that often on previous vehicles. Manual says fluid replace.

Funny thing it's not the dealer I you the truck from it was a different shitty dealer I no longer deal with

 

At work we have lots of high mileage vehicles we run, my Chevy has 200,000, partners is at 250,000. A ford van just hit 300,000 and not a one has ever been flushed/replaced. These are just a few, we have lots. We have a 2015 transit van that hit 60,000 and I let a Ford dealer take care of all service needs and a brake flush has never been mentioned.

 

I'd do it if I was doing brake job.

 

Yes, there is no difference to us. A dealer can make it seem several hundred dollars different. In the past 35 years they have wanted to flush the brakes with a "special" chemical that will really clean it out and they have told me it needs a special high pressure pump and I have been quoted from $100 to $1000 on the same vehicle! Granted, this is a combination of both me and my wife's vehicles and they definitely quote her much higher than me.

Again, to some dealers, there is a big "difference" (really none) between a flush and a change, but some will try to make you think there is.
I have also just bled and replenished a few times. I think maybe on five vehicles we have changed the brake fluid.

 

If it's not contaminated don't mess with it.

 

60 yrs young here,, never heard of such a thing, unless changing a brakeline, and you have to bleed out the new one...leave it alone, dont do it

 

I've argued with so many people (and some misinformed mechanics) about this topic, but in the end it's their vehicle, so they can do the maintenance they deem necessary. I'd never buy a used car from one of them.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it will absorb water from where ever it can. The only exception to this is DOT 5 fluid which is silicone based and therefore hydrophobic.

In sealed systems, brake fluid will draw moisture through rubber lines, seals, etc. The moisture absorbed over time will reduce the boiling point of the brake fluid, reduce its performance, and reduce the lifespan of all of the brake system components.

If you don't want to change it every two years, you should at least buy a brake fluid moisture tester so you can monitor the condition of the fluid.

Brake fluid has to be one of the most overlooked maintenance items in automobiles.

 

Brake fluid moisture tester.

Didn't even know these existed. And only $7 on Amazon. This forum is great!

 

BINGO! My motorcycles get brake fluid flush and change every two years. My truck and her SUV every three MAYBE four, depends on what condition the fluid is in. Mileage has nothing to do with it. I repair and restore old bikes and a complete brake system rebuild is usually called for because of the moisture that has been left in the system to wreak havoc. People spend thousands to make their vehicle go faster, but scream like a mashed cat if someone suggests they put a bit of $$ into their brakes.

 

Exactly. Brake fluid is cheap and it's a pretty simple job. Just flush it or have someone else do it for you if you are not handy.

 

I got mine done at 48K. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air reducing it's effectiveness. Brakes are life so I perform a flush every two years regardless if I need to change the pads or not.

 

2 years in humid climates, I stretched out to 3 in arid Bakersfield. Gone are the days of replacing a 15 dollar wheel cylinder or a 80 dollar master due to corrosion. ABS, Traction control, etc have made the penalty for no maintenance very steep. I always use ATE racing fluid. Good stuff. None of this is to say you can't roll the dice and just ignore the recommended service interval. Many vehicles never get this done.

 

wait till 60k miles and then have it professionally flushed using a braking flushing machine, probably will cost $100

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yp-WKUAYSM

 

Still new to the 3rd Gen but brake fluid changes and rear drum brake adjustments on my 2nd Gen were vital to ongoing brake health and reducing costs. Not sure if the front calipers on my new truck are the same but the 2nd Gen ones are prone to seizing. This can be prevented with regular fluid changes AND rear drum adjustment. That was my experience over 532,000 km on an ‘05. Mistakes made and corrected for.

 

Well i just had mine done at 50,000 kms and 30 months in service by Performance Toyota in St Catharines for $93.

I asked specifically what this $93 service will be getting me? Which was a proper brake flush, cracking all bleeders with a hydro-boost on the master. Considering its middle of winter and it was due for 50k service as well, I opted to proceed.

My logic was that my 60k warranty ends in Oct 2019 (3yrs) and giving the dealer some retail might help if goodwill or warranty work is required in the coming months. Plus its just too cold and nasty to do that shit in the driveway.

$240 for a full service, multi point inspection and brake flush ...not cheap but not unreasonable for a dealer. They called trying to sell me a 4-wheel
brake service for $160 (if i recall) which i politely declined but overall i was happy with my visit.

My 2 cents !

 

I wouldn't count on getting any Goodwill anything after your warranty is up, but getting the brakes machine flushed for $93 is a good deal IMO if you tried it in your driveway by the time you bought all the necessary stuff and found somebody to pump the brakes that would equal $93 in time and materials.it only takes 1 hour to machine flush the brakes and it removes every bit of air and old fluid better than the pump hold pump hold method of yesteryear