... I should change my brake fluid and get my aircon 'serviced' every two years. Are they right, and why?

First brake fluid change is at 3 years, then every two years after that.

 

Some wouldn't think about missing a brake fluid change, personally I did mine at three years but won't now be changing it every two years.

 

A/C is a sealed system so it shouldn't need looking at unless it stops blowing cold or starts to smell.

 

I'm having an A/C service in a few months just before the warranty runs out as its been making some gurgling noises recently.

Edited 23 May, 201412 yr by silver1011

... I should change my brake fluid and get my aircon 'serviced' every two years. Are they right, and why?

'Cus they want YOUR MUNNY!!   

 

Asked a similar question on the Fabia board this week.

 

Why does the cam belt have to be changed every 4 years if the specified maximum mileage hasn't been reached?

Anyone ever seen a lowish mileage 4 year old cambelt?

Was it on the verge of extreme tattiness and failure, or was it yet another case of  just GIVE US YA MUNNY and shutup. We know best (alledgedly)!?   

 

Changed the brake fluid on the Fabia at 6 years, but had had the fluid checked for moisture levels the year before.

It was just fine.

 

Just had the aircon re-charged for the first time after 9 years.

Was just fine with no unpleasant smells until 2 months ago.

 

Rest my case.

They simply......want YOU MUNNY! 

 

Scare tactics, simple as imo.

Edited 23 May, 201412 yr by Mr Ree

As already said, brake fluid recommended after 3 years then every 2. At my last service dealer tested fluid and gave me the reading that was, if I remember correctly, a water content % which was @ 1% with 4% being the max reading. Ask the dealer for the same. If one dealer does it as part of the service then they all should.

I was also offered an air con service which I declined due to my belief of if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it! If air con is a problem I tend to use a local specialist rather than a Jack of most trades.

Regards,

Kevin.

Water builds up in brake fluid over time. Rubber deteriorates over time.

My manual says  every 2 years for brake fluid(first change after 2 years) and every 180,000km(no time limit) for cam belt on the 170. 

Don't worry about the aircon, if it works it works.

 

Mr Ree, I have seen a few 4 year old belts from PD engines and they were perfect.

First brake fluid change is at 3 years, then every two years after that.

 

Some wouldn't think about missing a brake fluid change, personally I did mine at three years but won't now be changing it every two years.

 

A/C is a sealed system so it shouldn't need looking at unless it stops blowing cold or starts to smell.

 

I'm having an A/C service in a few months just before the warranty runs out as its been making some gurgling noises recently.

 

 

Nah.

That'll have been those dopey winking fog lights begging to be de-activated. 

My manual says  every 2 years for brake fluid(first change after 2 years) and every 180,000km(no time limit) for cam belt on the 170. 

Don't worry about the aircon, if it works it works.

 

Mr Ree, I have seen a few 4 year old belts from PD engines and they were perfect.

The one on my Fabia at 70k looked as good as new. 

It is up to you but at least have the brake fluid checked for moisture.

As for the air con it may just need some anti bacterial spray which depends how you use it.

 

Cam belts are a different subject.

There are a lot of different views on the subject and just because they don't break very often dosnt mean they wont.

I had a friend who missed a belt service by a few months on his low mileage alfa 3,0lt and it snapped.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll certainly get the fluid checked - now I know what for! Never had a problem with the aircon, just was wondering what a 'service' might consist of. (Not sure how cam belts entered the thread, but I had that changed last year.)

I had a friend who missed a belt service by a few months on his low mileage alfa 3,0lt and it snapped.

Ah but that was an Alfa, most things snap on Alfas:))

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In the service deal I have with Skoda the brake fluid will be changed at 45k,km. seems nuts to me cos that will prob be after 14/15 months on the road...

I am a great believer in "preventative maintenance" with both my cars... these mileages and time intervals are put in place for a reason, manufactures over time have issues and adjust there intervals according these issues that arise.. 

 

A little story.... I own a 2010 Seat Ibiza, always maintained as per the service schedule, and always by my local dealer, D.M Keith in York, as is my current Seat Exeo... 

 

About a month ago I had a ticking sound for the first few minutes, like the hydraulic tappet sound, bear in mind this is 4 months out of warranty and over 60000 miles... Took it into D M Keith they found that half a valve collet had disappeared! 3 weeks later, and between the dealer and Seat I have ended up with a new engine fitted...no questions asked, no cost to me..  

 

Now, in my eyes if I had not had the car maintained to there standards, and by the dealer would I have had a fight on my hands? and would I have had the bill paid in full... maybe not... 

 

Now this is just my opinion, but I will always have the car serviced according to the manufactures specifications, and always by D M Keith... this will be the same when my Superb arrives in a few weeks 

 

Stuart

As brake fluid ages the boiling point decreases. So in case of emergency braking just when you need that extra bite to save your life the brake fluid will boil easier and you get brake fade and loss of pressure.

As for the air con, the gas a lubricating oils that stop the rubber seals and joints from drying up and perishing. So as well as using your air on at regular intervals its best to keep the gas properly topped up and check for leaks. Could be an expensive fix if it dry's up.

As for the above reason. If failure arrises you could end up in a bad situation when you chose not to service you car to the proper regime.

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You would be surprised how much gas your AC system looses over 2 years... It does not need a leak or anything to lose gas... 

 

Stuart

Air con systems can lose gas but the system will shut down if pressure is low . It's an easy check which is often overcharged for and very often not correctly carried out .

Most gas re charge machines in the dealers at fully automated. It drains the gas and creates a vacuum to check for leaks and then recharged. The refrigerant that's put in also has an black light dye so its can show up any leaks.

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Edited 24 May, 201412 yr by jonnie5

Turning the A/C on from time to time to keep the seals moist is no longer required on modern cars. The A/C compressor runs all the time as they are fitted with clutches which kick-in when the Climatronic calls for air.

Most gas re charge machines in the dealers at fully automated. It drains the gas and creates a vacuum to check for leaks and then recharged. The refrigerant that's put in also has an black light dye so its can show up any leaks.

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This is why I no longer get my air con re-gassed or serviced at the garage. The air con system should be checked for leaks using pressurised nitrogen, so that any leaks can be pin-pointed using a listening device. Only once they have determined that there are no leaks should the system be filled with refrigerant. My local a/c specialist charges the same amount as the dealer, but makes a much better job.

I am a great believer in "preventative maintenance" with both my cars... these mileages and time intervals are put in place for a reason, manufactures over time have issues and adjust there intervals according these issues that arise.. 

 

A little story.... I own a 2010 Seat Ibiza, always maintained as per the service schedule, and always by my local dealer, D.M Keith in York, as is my current Seat Exeo... 

 

About a month ago I had a ticking sound for the first few minutes, like the hydraulic tappet sound, bear in mind this is 4 months out of warranty and over 60000 miles... Took it into D M Keith they found that half a valve collet had disappeared! 3 weeks later, and between the dealer and Seat I have ended up with a new engine fitted...no questions asked, no cost to me..  

 

Now, in my eyes if I had not had the car maintained to there standards, and by the dealer would I have had a fight on my hands? and would I have had the bill paid in full... maybe not... 

 

Now this is just my opinion, but I will always have the car serviced according to the manufactures specifications, and always by D M Keith... this will be the same when my Superb arrives in a few weeks 

 

Stuart

Couldn't agree more....whilst it's still under manufacturers warranty if you want the same level of service as you've thankfully  received.

 

Skip their expensive demands,, and you're on your own.

No choice really have we?

You would be surprised how much gas your AC system looses over 2 years... It does not need a leak or anything to lose gas... 

 

Stuart

Mine performed well for just under 9 years without any maintenance at all. Just regular use, winter as well as summer.

Re-charged 2 weeks ago, and back to full power again with no leaks or faults detected

Couldn't agree more....whilst it's still under manufacturers warranty if you want the same level of service as you've thankfully  received.

 

Skip their expensive demands,, and you're on your own.

No choice really have we?

 

I think that because the car had full dealer service history, and I was on my 6th SEAT, so you could say loyal to the brand, they paid out no questions asked, which did surprise me Having worked for VW dealer in the past, I do know that they will look at "goodwill claims" for cars out of warranty and offer a contribution, i.e 30,50,75% of the bill, or maybe you pay the labour they pay the parts.... so for a car with 60000 miles on and 4 months out of warranty, I suspect the history and the loyalty had something to do with me paying nothing..... 

 

I have, and always will continue to use the dealer and have my cars service to the approved schedule, I don't mind paying the extra if I get this service when I needed it... 

 

I appreciate that with the block exemption rules the manufacturer cannot penalise owners if the car is serviced by an independent using OE parts, but would they have paid out so quick? would I have had to pay a large contribution? who knows... but I suspect I would have had letters, emails and phone calls to make to fight for it...

 

The bill for the engine, which was an OE engine, I have checked, still got the OE labels on and labour was £4000, the car, as I found out yesterday is worth around £4000, so I had a fantastic deal....

 

Stu 

I have mine serviced by my local dealer and yes their hourly rate is 50 plus higher but where as my local village garage will not barter (they are much cheaper but good) the main dealer will.

So it ended with the difference being very small.

As lee001 said

Water will get into the brake lines - the fluid will turn off coloured instead of clear when there us water present.

I recently changed my brake fluid and now I think I must have a leak somewhere as the car is beeping at me and flashing the handbrake sign ... Topped it back up and will have a look at all of the calipers for sign of leakage.

JRJG

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