How Often Do You Change Brake Fluid?
#1
02-22-2012, 06:15 AM
How Often Do You Change Brake Fluid?
How Often Do You Change Brake Fluid?
Brake fluid is something that's important for the safe operation of your vehicle, but most people don't know how or when it should be changed. The average person drives anywhere from ten to fifteen thousand miles per year, and they use their brakes about 75,000 times. That's a lot of wear and tear on your car's brakes, and changing the brake fluid is only one way to keep your car running smoothly.
Why it's Important to Change Your Brake Fluid
Almost half of all cars and small trucks that have been on the United States' roads for ten years or more have never had their brake fluid changed, which is a problem. After just three years, the boiling point of the average brake fluid has dropped to the point where it no longer meets minimum federal standards. Brake fluid's boiling point drops when it is contaminated by moisture, so it's important that you change it regularly to keep water out.
Most car-care experts say that brake fluid should be changed every year or so, to keep contamination problems from occurring. This recommendation is made because most modern brake fluids contain glycol, and they begin to retain moisture from the moment they are added. Water can get into brake fluid through tiny holes in rubber hoses, and it can also get through seals. This problem is a lot worse in more humid locations. So if you live in a tropical climate, it is especially important that you change your brake fluid often.
You may not think much about it, but good brake fluid is key to keeping your car on the road. With preventive maintenance, you can keep brake problems from happening, or keep a small problem from getting any bigger.
Brake fluid is something that's important for the safe operation of your vehicle, but most people don't know how or when it should be changed. The average person drives anywhere from ten to fifteen thousand miles per year, and they use their brakes about 75,000 times. That's a lot of wear and tear on your car's brakes, and changing the brake fluid is only one way to keep your car running smoothly.
Why it's Important to Change Your Brake Fluid
Almost half of all cars and small trucks that have been on the United States' roads for ten years or more have never had their brake fluid changed, which is a problem. After just three years, the boiling point of the average brake fluid has dropped to the point where it no longer meets minimum federal standards. Brake fluid's boiling point drops when it is contaminated by moisture, so it's important that you change it regularly to keep water out.
Most car-care experts say that brake fluid should be changed every year
or so, to keep contamination problems from occurring. This recommendation is made because most modern brake fluids contain glycol, and they begin to retain moisture from the moment they are added. Water can get into brake fluid through tiny holes in rubber hoses, and it can also get through seals. This problem is a lot worse in more humid locations. So if you live in a tropical climate, it is especially important that you change your brake fluid often.You may not think much about it, but good brake fluid is key to keeping your car on the road. With preventive maintenance, you can keep brake problems from happening, or keep a small problem from getting any bigger.
Last edited by Space; 02-22-2012 at 06:43 AM.
#2
02-22-2012, 06:17 AM
Bleeding Brakes
by Pat Goss
We all know that bleeding your brakes is important, but we also know that it’s a pain to do. Pat has a product that lessens the sting.
Unfortunately, most drivers don’t do anything except check the level of their brake fluid and that’s a bad thing because brake fluid has the ability to attract and absorb moisture from the air around the car. And in about two year’s time, there could be enough moisture in the brake fluid to make the braking system in the car dangerous during a panic stop. Well, what do you do?
Well, brake fluid should be flushed at least every two years. Now, flushing is no more than sophisticated bleeding; you’ve heard the term when technicians work on your car, they tell you they need to bleed the brakes. Well, bleeding the brakes is to get rid of air in the system. Well, flushing is no more than bleeding but we’re going to get rid of all of the old fluid in the system. Now it used to be that was a job that you had to take the car to the repair shop for, but today we have this system from Phoenix Systems. And what this is is a do it yourself bleeding kit that gives you the ability to bleed or flush the brakes on your car. Pretty simple, comes with instructions. You hook it up to the bleeder valve on the wheel cylinder or caliper on the car, whichever style brakes your car has. And you crack the bleeder valve about one half turn open. Now, before you start anything, you’ve got to make sure the master cylinder reservoir is full of the proper type of fluid. Once everything is set up, all you do is squeeze the handle on the bleeder; it will draw the old fluid out – you can actually see it through the hose. You continue bleeding it until you have fresh clean fluid coming through the hose. Also, make sure you keep the master cylinder reservoir full or you’ll run into problems. Now, that’s the way it’s done.
After you’ve completed each wheel, you simply tighten the bleeder valve, remove the apparatus and move it to the next one. But what is the sequence? Well, the sequence is you pick either rear wheel; you bleed that one completely, wash it out. Then, you go to the opposite front wheel. Once that’s done, you go to the remaining rear wheel and then finally to the remaining front wheel that is opposite of that last rear wheel. This will get all of the old fluid out, you’ll have a much safer brake system on your car and the parts in the brake system will actually last longer. If you have a question or comment, drop me a line right here at MotorWeek.
by Pat Goss
We all know that bleeding your brakes is important, but we also know that it’s a pain to do. Pat has a product that lessens the sting.
Unfortunately, most drivers don’t do anything except check the level of their brake fluid and that’s a bad thing because brake fluid has the ability to attract and absorb moisture from the air around the car. And in about two year’s time, there could be enough moisture in the brake fluid to make the braking system in the car dangerous during a panic stop. Well, what do you do?
Well, brake fluid should be flushed at least every two years. Now, flushing is no more than sophisticated bleeding; you’ve heard the term when technicians work on your car, they tell you they need to bleed the brakes. Well, bleeding the brakes is to get rid of air in the system. Well, flushing is no more than bleeding but we’re going to get rid of all of the old fluid in the system. Now it used to be that was a job that you had to take the car to the repair shop for, but today we have this system from Phoenix Systems. And what this is is a do it yourself bleeding kit that gives you the ability to bleed or flush the brakes on your car. Pretty simple, comes with instructions. You hook it up to the bleeder valve on the wheel cylinder or caliper on the car, whichever style brakes your car has. And you crack the bleeder valve about one half turn open. Now, before you start anything, you’ve got to make sure the master cylinder reservoir is full of the proper type of fluid. Once everything is set up, all you do is squeeze the handle on the bleeder; it will draw the old fluid out – you can actually see it through the hose. You continue bleeding it until you have fresh clean fluid coming through the hose. Also, make sure you keep the master cylinder reservoir full or you’ll run into problems. Now, that’s the way it’s done.After you’ve completed each wheel, you simply tighten the bleeder valve, remove the apparatus and move it to the next one. But what is the sequence? Well, the sequence is you pick either rear wheel; you bleed that one completely, wash it out. Then, you go to the opposite front wheel. Once that’s done, you go to the remaining rear wheel and then finally to the remaining front wheel that is opposite of that last rear wheel. This will get all of the old fluid out, you’ll have a much safer brake system on your car and the parts in the brake system will actually last longer. If you have a question or comment, drop me a line right here at MotorWeek.
#3
02-22-2012, 06:33 AM
Hi Member's,
Below links are from a Google's Search to give you an idea of the costs & the kits....What do you use, or do you have someone do it for you ? I hope it helps 4-Sure
Shopping results for brake bleeder kit
^^^^^Click above for more ^^^^^^
OEM 25036 Bleed-O-Matic One-Man Brake Bleeder Kit
$4
Lisle 75200 - Vacuum Pump and Brake Bleeding Kit
$60
Find nearby
Motive Products 0100 Brake Power Bleeders and ...
$44
Mityvac Mitmva7205 Brake Bleed Conversion Kit
$20
Loln Industrial MV6830 - Vacuum Brake Bleeder
6$113
Below links are from a Google's Search to give you an idea of the costs & the kits....What do you use, or do you have someone do it for you ? I hope it helps 4-Sure
Shopping results for brake bleeder kit
^^^^^Click above for more ^^^^^^
OEM 25036 Bleed-O-Matic One-Man Brake Bleeder Kit
$4
Lisle 75200 - Vacuum Pump and Brake Bleeding Kit
$60
Find nearby
Motive Products 0100 Brake Power Bleeders and ...
$44
Mityvac Mitmva7205 Brake Bleed Conversion Kit
$20
Loln Industrial MV6830 - Vacuum Brake Bleeder
6$113
Last edited by Space; 02-22-2012 at 07:26 AM.
#4
02-22-2012, 07:18 AM
I have never changed brake fluid in any vehicle I have owned before. I never really thought that much about it or knew you should change it. I'm gonna do my monte carlo this summer. I would like to get the Motiv brake bleeder kit but it is a lot for the little bit i would use it.
#5
02-22-2012, 07:25 AM
Hi `Lou,
I think it would be a good investment of your time/$'s & safety for you & your family...
I was taught to change my brake fluid every 2 years, but @ work my boss has his vehicles & company trunks changed every year....We take our brakes forgranted until they don't work
, but then that could be 2 late 
It will be interesting to see what other member's posts & what they have been doing ? ? ?
Thanks for your post
I think it would be a good investment of your time/$'s & safety for you & your family...
I was taught to change my brake fluid every 2 years, but @ work my boss has his vehicles & company trunks changed every year....We take our brakes forgranted until they don't work
, but then that could be 2 late It will be interesting to see what other member's posts & what they have been doing ? ? ?
Thanks for your post
#7
02-22-2012, 08:04 AM
Yes `Jerry, U R ~> BADD, but I think it's because you like BADD rides ~>
I think it's one maintenace tips that many overlook, but I think it's a good investment for everyone for their safety & protecting yourself & those you love...or me `if you are coming `up fast behind me
& can't STOP I'm not in2 getting ReadEnded
LOL
It's to late, if your brakes fail many times...I believe in that it's better 2 be Safe then Sorry 4-Sure
See, I've given you something else to `do ~>
I just share, cause I care
What happened to my REAR END>>>>>Why didn't you STOP..
When was the last time you changed your BRAKE FLUID ? ? ? ?
Last edited by Space; 02-22-2012 at 08:08 AM.
#8
02-22-2012, 08:45 AM
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wauconda, IL
Posts: 13,335
The 03 was changed once but it only has 28k miles on it so I probably won't change it again for awhile. My 05 was changed the first spring I had it which was 3 years ago and I probably won't change that one again cause I'm selling/trading it by end of summer.
#10
02-22-2012, 09:44 AM
i had mine done recently when i did my breaks you should have seen the crud that came out of the lines. some form of gooie gell of crud i dont know where it came from but the fluid. but also dont forget if you dont change the fluid it will eat at the lines as well plus the pressure will make a weak line break. it happend to me when i drove my dads cougar he never changed it and one of the break lines broke. i looked at it when i had it in the air and took off one of the lines i seen gunk in the line do to break fluid never beeing changed i ended up replacing all the lines and cleaned out the resivuir and the master cylender as well just to make sure there was no gunk in there as well. now it stops on a dime.