Brake fluid

[morgy]

Hi

How often you you all change you Brake and clutch fluids in your cars? Seeing as most of these lovely cars don't really get driven 1000's of miles a year is it Advisable to replace the fluids every 2-3-4-5 years

[StewbieC]

Just changed mine after 5 years.

[Paul Blore]

Did mine a bit later than I would have liked after 8 years earlier this year. It was clear and clean with no sign of contamination.

I used a good quality DOT 5.1 last time and I've used the same again this time, albeit in a different colour so that I could see when the new stuff was coming through.

Paul

[Roger King]

Every other year, without fail, for all six cars.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter what quality fluid you use (but please, please don't use silicone), how airtight your system is, how little you use the car... brake fluid is hygroscopic and the system is made of iron and steel. I have worked on too many old cars with rusted pistons, ridges of rust around the seal area, leaks, etc. to leave changes any longer. Maybe it's more often than strictly necessary, but it's what a lot of manufacturers recommend and it's cheap and quick to do compared with the alternative.

edit - forgot to say, the lower the annual mileage, the greater the need for fluid changes.

[Colin Newbold]

Totally agree with Roger and still have Gerry's bill for what CAN happen if you don't (new master, new calipers plus lots of labour)

Make it a two-yearly Xmas prezzie to your beloved.

[Karl]

Every two years as to manufacturer instructions. (ATE DOT 4)

[Paul Blore]

It probably helps with mine being kept in a dehumidified garage, but I agree that 8 years was too long.

Paul

[Roger King]

A bit on the long side, definitely! All (well, most) of mine live in dehumidified garages too.

Which reminds me, I'll have to work out the dehumidification for the mega-garage at some point.

[Paul Blore]

You're probably better looking at a small commercial dehumidifier unit Roger.

Paul

[Roger King]

You're probably better looking at a small commercial dehumidifier unit Roger.

Paul

Yes, I've seen a full workshop unit that might do it.