Brake Fluid Changes

How often should you change brake fluid?

Manufacturers suggest different intervals for a brake fluid change but, in general, the recommendation is that this is carried out at least every two years. We can check your vehicle manual for specific guidance for your make and model of vehicle. Maintaining the recommended schedule for changing your brake fluid helps to prevent brake failure as brake fluid can deteriorate in quality over time. Remember – brake fluid is checked during a service (both interim and full) for its general condition and to ensure its boiling point is adequate, but it will not be replaced as part of the service. This comes at an additional cost.

Why does brake fluid deteriorate?

Brake fluid has hygroscopic properties - meaning that it absorbs moisture during its life in your car through the pipes, hoses and joints that it lubricates. As the water content in the brake fluid increases, the temperature the liquid boils at decreases. The boiling point can be significantly reduced by water contamination which will have a negative effect on your braking ability.

What is included in a brake fluid change?

We will use a pressure bleeder to perform the brake fluid change – this pumps a constant supply of new fluid under pressure into the brake fluid reservoir to avoid air getting into the hydraulic system. We move around the vehicle in a sequence depending on the braking system fitted, the old fluid is then bled out at the bleed nipple on each brake, until clean fluid is seen in the bleed bottle. The new fluid pushes out the old fluid, which is then disposed of.

On most modern vehicle the use of a diagnostic tool is also required, to enable a bleed function on the ABS controller, to ensure that all the old fluid is purged from the different pathways and valves within the ABS pump.

Brake fluid and vehicle servicing

Did you know that changing car brake fluid is not typically included in a vehicle service? That’s why it is important to make sure your brake fluid is in good condition and replaced regularly to reduce the chances of brake failure. Both our interim service and full service packages include a check on your brake fluid to ensure that the boiling point and general condition is acceptable. In addition, if you know you vehicle needs replacement brake fluid, you can book this in with your regular servicing.

Why is brake fluid important?

Brake fluid plays a crucial role in your braking system as it transfers the force created when a driver presses the brake pedal directly onto the wheel hub.

Heat generated under braking, especially under heavier braking or prolonged braking, may affect the brake fluid which can only work if it is liquid and not so hot that it has become vapour. Therefore the boiling point that your brake fluid can achieve is critical to efficient braking as temperatures above the boiling point form vapour bubbles in the system, potentially resulting in brake failure.