How often?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 24
From: Pensacola FL
How often?
Hey guy how often do you change your brake fluid? I have been told to change it yearly like when taking it out of storage. My GS is an 11. Thanks for the feedback ahead of time!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
For normal street use, the common recommendation is every other year.
For autocrossers, each year.
For trackheads, before each event.
Some people say that DOT4 fluid actually absorbs moisture from the air quicker than DOT3, and so using DOT 4 does not extend the flush interval.
It takes a Tech2 or similar machine to purge the old fluid from your ABS system, so some folks let the dealer do the job. Others do the flush each year by themselves and figure that's good enough.
Some people never flush their brake fluid and report no problems.
My parents smoked a couple of packs per day and never developed lung cancer, but I don't recommend that technique either.
For autocrossers, each year.
For trackheads, before each event.
Some people say that DOT4 fluid actually absorbs moisture from the air quicker than DOT3, and so using DOT 4 does not extend the flush interval.
It takes a Tech2 or similar machine to purge the old fluid from your ABS system, so some folks let the dealer do the job. Others do the flush each year by themselves and figure that's good enough.
Some people never flush their brake fluid and report no problems.
My parents smoked a couple of packs per day and never developed lung cancer, but I don't recommend that technique either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,250
Likes: 6
From: Glassboro New Jersey
For normal street use, the common recommendation is every other year.
For autocrossers, each year.
For trackheads, before each event.
Some people say that DOT4 fluid actually absorbs moisture from the air quicker than DOT3, and so using DOT 4 does not extend the flush interval.
It takes a Tech2 or similar machine to purge the old fluid from your ABS system, so some folks let the dealer do the job. Others do the flush each year by themselves and figure that's good enough.
Some people never flush their brake fluid and report no problems.
My parents smoked a couple of packs per day and never developed lung cancer, but I don't recommend that technique either.
For autocrossers, each year.
For trackheads, before each event.
Some people say that DOT4 fluid actually absorbs moisture from the air quicker than DOT3, and so using DOT 4 does not extend the flush interval.
It takes a Tech2 or similar machine to purge the old fluid from your ABS system, so some folks let the dealer do the job. Others do the flush each year by themselves and figure that's good enough.
Some people never flush their brake fluid and report no problems.
My parents smoked a couple of packs per day and never developed lung cancer, but I don't recommend that technique either.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 3
From: Metamora, IL
Shannon, brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air. The discoloration in your brake fluid as it ages (turns brown) is iron oxide (rust). This is from moisture captured by your brake fluid and causing rust inside the brake system. The biggest danger is that as brake fluid absorbs water, it lowers the boiling point. Will it ever cause an accident or reduced braking? Probably not, but it is possible. Once water starts to boil, it has air bubbles which cause a spongy feeling brake pedal. With a complicated ABS system, will the rust floating in the system ever cause problems? Possibly, especially as the car ages. My recommendation, is to change your brake fluid every two years and you will be fine.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 2
From: New Bern NC
The debate continues. Performance foreign cars recommend every two years. GM has no recommended interval. You pick, I change brake fluid every two years in my Corvette and Mercedes, never in my GM truck.
Larry
Larry
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
BTW, I had to replace a couple of calipers on a previous Corvette when it was about 8 years old. Internal corrosion. Dealer recommended I flush the fluid every couple of years to prevent a recurrance.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Mar 7, 2012 at 04:53 PM.
