Brake fluid test strips
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Ewing NJ
Thanks. I've heard another rule of thumb is to flush and/or bleed after a panic stop or other heavy braking. The excess heat sometimes creates bubbles which deteriorates brake efficiency.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Unless you are tracking your car routinely,,I'd say every year,,,maybe 6 months if you drive a lot or live in a high humidity area. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Hard stops have minimal effect UNLESS there is accumulated moisture(water) in the lines at which the boiling point lowers and you can form small steam bubbles ,,reducing braking effectiveness. You want to keep the fluid clean and dry.That is why it is recommended not to keep fluid very long after you have opened a container as it will start absorbing moisture. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Unless you are tracking your car routinely,,I'd say every year,,,maybe 6 months if you drive a lot or live in a high humidity area. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Hard stops have minimal effect UNLESS there is accumulated moisture(water) in the lines at which the boiling point lowers and you can form small steam bubbles ,,reducing braking effectiveness. You want to keep the fluid clean and dry.That is why it is recommended not to keep fluid very long after you have opened a container as it will start absorbing moisture.
if it looks like Coke, time to change.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
The test strips only test for moisture. I have not seen anything that tests for copper. That said, brake fluid DOT 3 and 4 are both glycol based products that by their chemical makeup are hygroscopic meaning that they absorb moisture, mostly from the humidity in the air. The brown (varying shades of) you see in brake fuild is acutally rust which occurs inside the hydraulic system, i.e. brake lines and any other ferous metals in contact with the fluid. Regarding our Corvettes, it's a good practice to flush and fill the system once a year no longer than once every two years. Driving frequncy and where you live apply, it's about the humidity and your driving habits. Anytime you service the brake pads is also an good time to replace the fluid. Hope this helps.
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