Brake fluid

[milu]

Should be changed every 2 years in line with on board indicator.

Presumably the first one is 2 years from when the car was built....so in fact the first owner might not have had the car anywhere near the 2 year mark when the indicator appears.
Question is does brake fluid have a shelf life when in a sealed container...in a shop? Or in a car thats not being used?
Does it deteriorate regardless?

Since its so cheap to do/have done,just do it anyway?

 

[denzo]

MIne was £60 from a dealer. You can reset the clock yourself and save the £60 but this could effect your warranty if the car is still covered.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I believe that it has a shelf life even in the tin, certainly does in the car, driven or not.

Regardless of use it's a hygroscopic fluid and as such attracts water to it. That's what causes the problem by lowereing the boiling temperature and in some case allowing minute air bubbles that can be compressed.

I'm no chemist but I beleive even brake hoses are porous to air at the minutest level and certainly the seals can allow air in.

Bottom line is fresh fluid and change it every 2 years.

 

[Incompatible]

Question is does brake fluid have a shelf life when in a sealed container...in a shop? Or in a car thats not being used?
Does it deteriorate regardless?

My understanding is that in a sealed, never opened plastic container, shelf life is not a concern. Once opened, whether in car or bottle, one year is the ideal replacement interval. Being hydroscopic, brake fluid will absorb water from the atmosphere and it's performance will degrade over time.

 

[SittingBull]

Question is does brake fluid have a shelf life when in a sealed container...in a shop? Or in a car thats not being used?
Does it deteriorate regardless?

My understanding is that in a sealed, never opened plastic container, shelf life is not a concern. Once opened, whether in car or bottle, one year is the ideal replacement interval. Being hydroscopic, brake fluid will absorb water from the atmosphere and it's performance will degrade over time.

In the UK DOT4 brake fluid is about £3.00 for 500ml. That will last you around 10 years! Yes it IS "HYGROSCOPIC" as are ALL brake/clutch fluids, however, unless you are using your car for serious track use, there is absolutely no reason to change the brake/clutch fluid EVER - unless YOU notice a degradation in braking.

The car manufacturers are blighted by the USA's "sue anybody for anything - if you can get away with it" mentality. It's the same in Europe with the EU Commission. So to wipe there arses clean the major manufacturers insist on a 24 month brake fluid change!

 

[Shooter]

there is absolutely no reason to change the brake/clutch fluid EVER - unless YOU notice a degradation in braking.

Like what, a dramatic degradation, like i can't stop before crashing in the car in front of me ?
Since the degradation would be very progressive, i don't know if you can really spot it before it's already too late.

Changing the fluid every two years is, IMHO, nothing too much considering the brakes are the most important safety device on the car.
Plus, it's a very easy job to do yourself (as long as you are two people to do it...).

 

[gannet]

SittingBull - What does your car look like again? Just so I can get out of the way when you cant stop behind me...

 

[Incompatible]

... unless you are using your car for serious track use, there is absolutely no reason to change the brake/clutch fluid EVER - unless YOU notice a degradation in braking.

The car manufacturers are blighted by the USA's "sue anybody for anything - if you can get away with it" mentality. It's the same in Europe with the EU Commission. So to wipe there arses clean the major manufacturers insist on a 24 month brake fluid change!

Well said. I was primarily addressing track/performance applications, the concern is the high temps generated during heavy and constant track braking. For every day use, how many millions of cars out there have high mileage/age without regular interval fluid flushes?