As the title says.... how often is the brake fluid meant to be changed? I had it done a couple of years ago. Car is now at 102k miles. Cars booked in for a service next month so just want to know if it's due another change or not.

Cheers

Steve

evry 2-3 years

Should be every two years but if you subject your car to track abuse much more often.

Due at 3 years old.. then every 2 years after that.

Due at 3 years old.. then every 2 years after that.

That's only for 2010 MY onwards

Previous to that it's every 2 years.

Anybody any tips on changing the brake fluid and also the clutch fluid as I plan on doing mine next week, both the clutch and brake pedal's feel soft and it's never been done from new.

Lovely job, thanks for the replies. It is already booked in at unit18 for Oct to have a service with brake fluid change, remap and a bunch of other work. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting something unnecessary done if its due just once in a blue moon.... well I've had the car just over four years and I did have the brake fluid done about 2years ago so I shall stick with plan a and get it done again now. Might see f they can squeeze a gearbox oil change in between all the other stuff I've asked to be done....

Thanks again

Anybody any tips on changing the brake fluid and also the clutch fluid as I plan on doing mine next week, both the clutch and brake pedal's feel soft and it's never been done from new.

Gunson Eezibleed, which uses air pressure from a spare tyre. Keep the pressure quite lowish though, read the Eezibleed instructions. I can't remember the size of the bleed nipples as I have a fullish complement of brake spanners. I do remember the clutch bleed nipple was an unusual size.

The most important thing is not to bleed the system dry, as otherwise the ABS pump then needs to be bled. The Eezibleed will help here. When I did it, I just topped the fluid up for each wheel to make sure it didn't go to the bottom.

The reason it needs changing is the brake system is not fully sealed, and brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air. When it does this, the boiling point of the fluid is reduced, and when you brake and things get hot, the fluid boils up.

I suspect the moisture in the system can also cause premature corrosion within the system, meaning bits need replacing.

Edited 16 September, 201213 yr by anewman

Thanks very much will be changing it over next weekend and giving all the system a real good bleed through and refresh all the fluid. Gonna use standard DOT4 fluid for now as I'm planning on going big brake kit up front next year so will change over to DOT5.1 then.

Eezebleed - FFS! ****e! Give them a miss! Terrible waste of money! Get a foot on the pedal, a couple of pumps and job done

My fluid is hygro tested every year and not changed if its ok. There's a lot to be said for preventative maintenance though.

What is hygro tested?

Test the brake fluid for water content.

Change as needed, cheep test tools can be bought that measure water content then displays in a traffic light style system, green good - red bad

Not usual to disagree with posts on this forum, but I think bonesetter is wrong. The pressure bleeder is so much easier, safer and doesn't involve shouting at SWMBO. When you open the valve you can see the change in colour as fresh fluid comes through. BTW gentle with the clutch bleed; it's plastic.