brake fluid warning light

[Marcoose]

The key reason why the warning light came on is its time to change the brake fluid..it should be changed every two calendar years

Yes. I've owned cars for 48 years and have usually done most of the servicing on them. Have never heard of "changing" brake fluid. But, this is the first BMW I've owned.

At the risk of as flaming, but please consider this rather as a PSA: He does not know. He does that on every other thread.

Whilst he has all the traits of a jolly good bloke, nothing from his posts suggests he is a subject matter expert. It seems he knows what he learns from reading manuals, internet posts and a good dose of hard knocks. All good, but it's like me proclaiming the moon doesn't rotate on its axis. It doesn't. It's a well-know fact. But I cannot explain why. I am not an SME. I'm merely parroting what I've learnt on the BBC last week.

It's possible he's right that brake fluids, especially BMWs, ought to be changed every two years. But I grew sceptic of his incredibly vast knowledge on every subject.

I know this: I've owned five BMWs over 28 years, three in the old country, two in America, two with OEM warranty and maintenance. They had been serviced by dealers and indies in different countries and states. Plus all other vehicles; VW, Renault, Ford, Cadillac, RR, Toyota, Chevy, etc, It is the first time I've ever heard brake fluids ought to be changed every two years. Come to think, the old E85 of 17 years and 132,000 miles only had brake fluid changed three or four times. I remember five or six years ago complaining to the indy the brake pedal felt spongy, low. It had been a long time since the last fluid change. He took it for a spin and said it felt normal. I've asked to change fluid anyway, and it felt exactly the same afterwards. He thanked me for keeping his business afloat.

On the internets ... everybody is a subject matter expert ... yours truly included.

This concludes this PSA.

 

[enuff_zed]

Well I have to say, ever since I owned my first car (Mk1 Escort) in 1983, I've always been told that brake fluid should be regularly changed as it absorbs water. I make a point of getting it done every 2-3 years and, especially on my old Fords, whilst I hadn't really noticed the degradation over time, it always felt much firmer on the pedal after a change.
I suspect [ref]B21[/ref] has had a similar upbringing to me, on aircraft maintenance, whereby we were taught to never work from memory, but to always refer back to the manual, even for a job we did every day of the week. How else would you notice a procedure was amended?
Given that approach, I always tend to research answers that are even slightly complex, before offering advice to others. Who knows if my accrued knowledge is still correct without double checking. I would hazard a guess that is why Peter quotes documentation rather than winging it from memory.
In this case he is 100% correct in what he said: the light comes on to tell you that BMW decree it is time to change your brake fluid.
Each to their own of course and not forgetting that opinions are like a-holes: everybody has one; but if you offered me a lift in a car that you freely admitted had not had the brake fluid changed in 6-7 years and you thought the brakes felt spongy then I'd be away down the road with my thumb out. :wink:

 

[Marcoose]

Except it is not what he said, it is not what he says over and over again. He said, "it should be changed every two calendar years". He offers no underlying explanation.

Agreed, keeping tabs of maintenance is super smart. It pays to not let things go overlooked for too long; fluids, belts, pads, struts, arms, tyres, batteries, blades, hoses, pumps, etc. Things have finite lifetime. They WILL fail. It's somewhat up to you if you want to discover that in the middle of a journey or in the comfort of our neighbourhood. I take my motorbike and car to the indies at least once a year for an all around inspection. They can spot things about to fail. I don't have that level of skill.

We're not talking aircraft on this thread, much less on this website. I actually know jack about aircrafts, other than to keep the seatbelt securely fastened at all times whilst seated. But it seems that applying lessons learnt from aircraft maintenance is daft. This is a car website. There's approximately one billion passenger cars in the world, plus all trucks, lorries, tractors, ambulances, vans, etc. The super vast majority will complete their journeys without a hitch. And the majority of those with one or more maintenance items overdue, if you follow the 'should this or that' rule. Do you ask to see the maintenance log from every bus driver, cab driver, nephew or mate that gives you a lift? Or every road user that crosses your path? Sorry, it's rhetoric. You don't. You'd be a paranoid fool. Cars are incredibly reliable machines. Aircrafts? I know jack about aircrafts.

I am far more worried about those who seem to know a lot. And more so about those that stand corrected at every other thread.

Pbondar knew a ton. What happened to him? R.E92 knows a ton. AnubisZed knows a ton about electronics. Those are good resources.

 

[enuff_zed]

Pbondar knew a ton. What happened to him?

Check your foot!
Think you'll find a bullet hole in it.

 

[N4LLY]

Oooopp :lol:

 

[enuff_zed]

Oooopp :lol:

Possibly the most hilarious foot in mouth moment of 2022 so far.

 

[N4LLY]

Oooopp :lol:

Possibly the most hilarious foot in mouth moment of 2022 so far.

 

[Marcoose]

Wait. It’s the same bloke? Why he started a new profile and name? And the advices aren’t of the same calibre at all.

 

[enuff_zed]

Wait. It’s the same bloke? Why he started a new profile and name? And the advices aren’t of the same calibre at all.

Jeez man! I knew California was a bit behind us in time, but 6 months???

You'll be needing one of these methinks. :wink:

 

[Marcoose]

You’re speaking in riddles. If B21 is Pbondar, I take it back my opinion of Pbondar of old. But again, riddles aren’t my thing.

 

[clarker63]

If B21 is Pbondar,

indeed he is... check out B21's yellow build thread!

 

[enuff_zed]

You’re speaking in riddles.

Nah mate, I'm speaking in proper English. Keep up at the back. :wink:

How on earth can you justify praising someone's input, then change your mind when you realise who they are?
If I hadn't highlighted it, you'd have carried on telling the world that PBondar was a marvellous bloke.

 

[wanderer]

Here's a comprehensive explanation from none other than Haynes.

https://haynes.com/en-gb/tips-tutorials/how-and-when-change-your-brake-fluid

 

[Smartbear]

It’s got to be a wind up, hasn’t it?
Rob

 

[N4LLY]

You’re speaking in riddles. If B21 is Pbondar, I take it back my opinion of Pbondar of old. But again, riddles aren’t my thing.

Personally i would have selected reverse at this point.

 

[enuff_zed]

Here's a comprehensive explanation from none other than Haynes.

https://haynes.com/en-gb/tips-tutorials/how-and-when-change-your-brake-fluid

Brilliant!
Can you send this info to California around September time.

 

[enuff_zed]

You’re speaking in riddles. If B21 is Pbondar, I take it back my opinion of Pbondar of old. But again, riddles aren’t my thing.

Personally i would have selected reverse at this point.

He can't! His brakes aren't working.

 

[Smartbear]

When your wife changes her hairstyle do you know who she is when she comes home?
Rob

 

[Marcoose]

For all I know one Peter bought a car from another Peter. I have no proof both are the same person.

I haven't been here long and don't know all the gossips. But I know the quality of explanations between Pbondar and B21 is night and day. Pbondar knew his stuff. B21 wings all day and then some. If it is indeed the same person, I'm afraid he must've lost his senses. That's a real pity. He had so much to offer.

I'm missing the point on picking on California like if it's a bad and slow place. I'm not from here. I merely live (and work) here. Those attempts at offending me don't offend me at all. Go figure.

 

[enuff_zed]

For all I know one Peter bought a car from another Peter. I have no proof both are the same person.

I haven't been here long and don't know all the gossips. But I know the quality of explanations between Pbondar and B21 is night and day. Pbondar knew his stuff. B21 wings all day and then some. If it is indeed the same person, I'm afraid he must've lost his senses. That's a real pity. He had so much to offer.

I'm missing the point on picking on California like if it's a bad and slow place. I'm not from here. I merely live (and work) here. Those attempts at offending me don't offend me at all. Go figure.

Do you need to borrow a white flag pal?
Have you ever heard the expression 'when you're in a hole, stop digging'?
The California bit comes from a bloke I used to work with who was a bit dim. We called him California as he was always a few hours behind the rest when it came to getting jokes etc. (Due solely to the way the earth revolves, time zones, etc.)
Not meant to offend you personally.
Though maybe, for someone who's been on the forum since 2008 and claims they haven't been here long, there's a little truth in the jibe.

But I know the quality of explanations between Pbondar and B21 is night and day. Pbondar knew his stuff. B21 wings all day and then some.

Wakey, wakey!!!!!!!!