Why Change Brake Fluid .... ??

[DriVer]

Please read this article in its entreity, it is something that is both useful and important.

Brake Fluid is a hot topic because most people don't know why it should be changed. Did you know the average motorist who drives 10,000 to 15,000 miles a year uses his brakes about 75,000 times a year? Did you know that nearly half of all motorists in a recent Car Care Council survey said brake failure was their number one fear amongst driving emergencies?

More ....

Please pay close attention to the brake fluid boil chart.

[WilleyB]

Thanks, for the excellent link. I plan to change mine this coming Spring. It probably is about 9 years old now.
Cheers
'Willey

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilleyB Thanks, for the excellent link.

You're welcome!

Quote:

I plan to change mine this coming Spring. It probably is about 9 years old now.

Willey, Ford DOT3 I believe starts at 550° F so after 9 years, who knows what it's boiling point is now. It would appear that it may be at least 50% less so your brake fluid may boil at 225° F which would place you in some jeopardy in the event your brake temperatures became elevated.

[WilleyB]

Quote:

so your brake fluid may boil at 225° F which would place you in some jeopardy in the event your brake temperatures became elevated.

Well yes that's what I'm worried about. It had some had braking in the Rockies on the last trip by the time I got to the bottom I could smell the brakes. Reading the article was a wake up call. Buying some brake fluid will be quite cheap compared to what I spent on calipers and pads in the past 2 years. Most likely the old fluid helped with that cost also.
Cheers
Willey

[CoastieSCPO]

Great article Mike........I'm a believer and I got my Speed Bleeders!

Bob

[DriVer]

You know I can't believe that I am responding to posts from a member that is bragging that the RV owners he knows have never changed their brake fluid in as many as 12 years.

[max49]

Dang Driver, you make feel terrible! I don't think I've changed brake fluid in 60 years.

[gonzo]

Not to long ago I took a GM vehicle to its scheduled maintanance inspection. Brake fluid was changed at 40,000 in the car. I also know that most german cars have schedules brake fluid replacements.

My coach got 20,000 miles got brake fluid replaced every year previous owner did and so did I. NO BRAKE PROBLEMS (STILL) and I am not even worried when I got to the mountains.

[mfire1339]

Would those German cars have Bosch brakes by any chance?

Mike

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo My coach got 20,000 miles got brake fluid replaced every year previous owner did and so did I. NO BRAKE PROBLEMS (STILL) and I am not even worried when I got to the mountains.

gonzo, I believe you've offered us an excellent testimonial regarding preventative maintenance which seeks to prevent problems before they occur.

[WilleyB]

Well spring is here (at least for the past few days) and I finished changing the brake fluid today. Not much to it except for taking the wheels off which I do in the spring to check the air pressures and torque the lug nuts. I used one of those vacuum pump tools to draw the new fluid through the lines. It took the best part of the afternoon which I think was a good time for first time.
The old fluid was pretty dark and there was a plus to the change the brake pedal is no longer spongy so there must have been air some where.

Cheers
Willey

[poorfarmer]

with the importance of brakes(especially in rolling homes) why not go the extra mile and keep the fluid changed? its one of the most important things you can do and actually one of the least expensive. seems like a no-brainer to me! can't wait to hit the road (with my new brake fluid, for the fifth time) i think i hear myrtle beach calling!

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorfarmer .... i think i hear myrtle beach calling!

Comon' down ... we'll be here!

[gonzo]

Like to add one more thing to this. I had my Dodge Grande Garavan for service today and was able to have a look at the PM schedule that Dodge gives to the dealers. Guess what? Dodge got 40,000KM interval for brake fluid AND power steering fluid replacement. However I will not do either on the dodge. I replace vehicle (company vehicle) every 120,000km or 18 to 24 month.