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Brake Fluid

by swils1954 on Dec 19 2017, 4:04 PM

What is with the dealers suggesting to have your brake fluids flushed? I have never done this before in any vehicle. The dealers are telling the customers that not doing this will void their warranty which i think is crazy!

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12 Replies

By dandbperformance May 08 2019, 7:10 PM

I normally will check what the manufacturer recommends as far as the intervals but brake fluid flushes are definitely a good thing to do.

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By truxgirl Jan 18 2019, 3:41 PM

A Brake system flush is not a money grab. It is preventative maintenance. It slows corrosion in general and stops contamination debris from clogging ABS ports as well as other smaller fluid ports, especially in the newer vehicles which have EXPENSIVE ABS modules/valve bodies etc.

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By 1986chevyman Dec 11 2018, 4:40 PM

Flushing brake fluid is a good maintenance practice. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture. Which will lead to contaminated brake hydraulic components.

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By goodguysnick Oct 01 2018, 9:10 PM

brake fluid flushes are a good thing i sell a brake flush with every brake job or once a year. when you flush the brake system we are removing

and water moisture and contaminants in the system. remember how small abs ports are it doesent take much to plug them

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By jeffreyd1 Apr 26 2018, 6:42 PM

I feel that it is always safest to go with manufacturer recommendations. I live in a very dry climate & brake fluid will last much longer here. There are very wet climates that it would be much more important to replace sooner. The manufacturer is going to make recommendations based on the fact that they want to maintain reliability in the harshest environment. By definition, preventative maintenance is replacing something before it is totally worn out. I recommend at manufacturer intervals, but make priorities based on real-world experience. I also can't assume that a vehicle has been in my immediate environment its whole life.

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By kevinmuhle Apr 23 2018, 10:34 AM

I have been told that break fluid absorbs moisture and that of course leads to corosion

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By surlyredhead Apr 18 2018, 7:57 PM

It really doesn't matter why the manufacturer puts "replace brake fluid" under a maintenance interval. If it is not done, any possible future warranty would be voided. Probably cheaper to just do it and be safe.

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By steveibelieve Mar 01 2018, 7:58 PM

Traditional brake fluid is glycol based which absorbs moisture over time and lowers the boiling point. Most master cylinders happen to be vented to the atmosphere. The water/moisture tends to find the lowest point in the system, which happens to be your calipers and wheel cylinders. The moisture causes corrosion which eventually causes your wheel cylinders to fail. Keep in mind that the ABS unit isn't particularly fond of moisture either. This is considered PM not a money grab.

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By kstraume Feb 27 2018, 10:54 PM

braking systems aren't indestructible. over time fluid gets old moisture can be absorbed, flushing is good.

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By tony114445 Feb 27 2018, 6:38 AM

There's some validity in that suggestion. Brake fluid, as mentioned, absorbs moisture over time, compromising it's integrity. Brake fluid can also attract other miscellaneous contaminants. On more than one occasion I've seen brake fluid reservoirs accumulate a sludge like substance in the bottom. That can wreak all sorts of havoc on the whole system

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