Brake Fluid Flush - When?

Well, I have been reading my maintenance manual, and have not found anything about replacing brake fluid. I am not sure about that. I mean to feel more confident (and better for the car), replacing it is good.

These are my important service (I think):

Oil Change - every 3K
Coolant Flush/Replacement - every 60K
Transmission Fluid - every 30K
Spark Plugs - every 60K

and...

I probably use a bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrated every 15K. I use nothing but Chevron with Techron (well, sometimes Shell with V-Power).

EPHIOS said:

Well, I have been reading my maintenance manual, and have not found anything about replacing brake fluid. I am not sure about that. I mean to feel more confident (and better for the car), replacing it is good.

These are my important service (I think):

Oil Change - every 3K
Coolant Flush/Replacement - every 60K
Transmission Fluid - every 30K
Spark Plugs - every 60K

and...

I probably use a bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrated every 15K. I use nothing but Chevron with Techron (well, sometimes Shell with V-Power).

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You may want to check your numbers. Unless the 2008 is very different from the 2009, the scheduled maintenance for your car is as below:

Oil Change - every 5K
Coolant Flush/Replacement - never mentions anything of this, I do, however, remember reading somewhere that it has about a 100k life.
Transmission Fluid - never mentions anything of replacing this, just to check for leakage.
Spark Plugs - every 120K

Again, unless your manual says otherwise, sounds like you're wasting a ton of money on unnecessary maintenance.

I change the oil every 5000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Historically I have changed coolant on previous vehicles every three years. The xB2 replaced a Honda Element that claimed a coolant life of 100K miles. At 40K miles the heater core took a crap...4000 miles out of warranty. Adios Element. With previous rides, I have replaced brake fluid only when having the brakes redone. The Element called for this service at 48 months, so I broke with tradiion and followed the mfgr's recommendation. Ditto for tune-ups.

Bottom Line: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but there's no reason to go nuts.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture which can cause rust in the system. If you live in Florida vs. Arizona you might need to have the brake fluid changed more often. I believe that you can go to the auto stores and purchase a kit to test the brake fluid. It is just a bunch of small strips of chemically treated paper you dip into the fluid, how much it changes color will tell you it's time to change the brake fluid.

Good Luck!

scion said:

Brake fluid absorbs moisture which can cause rust in the system. If you live in Florida vs. Arizona you might need to have the brake fluid changed more often. I believe that you can go to the auto stores and purchase a kit to test the brake fluid. It is just a bunch of small strips of chemically treated paper you dip into the fluid, how much it changes color will tell you it's time to change the brake fluid.

Good Luck!

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Ooooh, good point. Instead of reflushing the fluid based on milage or years, do it based on water content.

Honestly tho, I'm in Socal where it's awesome warm weather 90% of the time. My car's got 35k mi, and it's only 1.5 years. My car should be okay.

Either way, I'll look for those strips. Thanks!

Just FYI, a lot of cars don't have serviceable fuel filters these days. The filter (a screen really) is in the pump, which is in the tank. Timing chains (as opposed to belts) don't usually have a service interval. My humble opinion- 5K on oil, check the other fluids and replace as necessary- get a bulb meter for the coolant, and the chem strips for the brake fluid. Pull the plugs at 60K and check them, replace if they need it, or just cause you have them out already. They are so cheap, it doesn't make sense not to. Also, I never go more than 48 months on a battery. Just cause my grandfather said so, and again it is cheap insurance. A weak battery can kill an alternator (and vice versa), and here in New England, the winter saps the CCA on cold days.

Just my 2 cents (well, maybe a nickel for inflation).

I agree with DoctorWho, and his grandfather!