Hey all,

I noticed on the 90k service leaflet given out by the local dealership, that
it says a brake fluid flush every 30k miles is required. Is this true or
false? I checked my resovoirs and the fluid is a light amber color with no
dirty chunks, no signs of water in the lines, and the brakes are working
fine. I take it this isn't needed??

Advice, thoughts, opinions?

Brad

On Tue, 26 Sep 2006 07:53:27 GMT, "Bradley Walker"
<bawalkerREMOVE@THISmodemnet.net> wrote:


Yes it's a good idea. You can't tell by looking if there is water in
the lines, and brake fluid is by nature hygroscopic so chances are
that the fluid has in fact absorbed some water over time. At the
outside a flush should be done every 30K or two years.

Bradley Walker wrote:

No signs of water in the lines? How did you check this out? If you
actually opened a bleeder screw, then you should have gone the entire
route and flushed the fluid. It's not that difficult and one of the
things that you can still do yourself. Your ABS system may be another
thing to deal with though. Some are integral with the brake system,
some are not. It's always a good idea to flush Dot3/Dot4 fluid every 2
-3 years.

The ugly BF is in the calipers so the reservoir usually always looks
good. I flush every 3 years and am amazed at the difference in
braking. Brake fluid absorbs water and some moisture does get in as
the caliper cup slid back and forth during braking. The moist air in
the system reduces the effectiveness of the system because air
compresses and BF does not. Just do it and drive happy.

only needed if you drive in the hills/mountains where the brakes (and the
fluid !) may become very hot during downhilling.

I live in the Netherlands and never made a brake fluid flush, only when I
replaced the (front) brake discs after 150.000 miles (Subaru Legacy)

Wilco

"Bradley Walker" <bawalkerREMOVE@THISmodemnet.net> schreef in bericht
news:X%4Sg.1565$Ka1.136@news01.roc.ny...

Well you've been fortunate if you haven't had brake issues.
The official Subaru of America maintenance schedule, which can be seen
on the SOA website here-
http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/index.jsp
calls for a brake fluid flush every 30K.

On Tue, 26 Sep 2006 20:45:50 +0200, "Wvd" <wvdiest@xs4all.nl> wrote:

Bradley Walker wrote:


Hi,

I don't know if mileage is that critical, but every two years is a good
interval to flush brake systems. All the reasons have been given.

And, yes, there are people who never flush their systems. I've gotten a
hold of some of their cars in the past. Ever hear the saying, "Penny
wise and pound foolish?" It applies here.

Rick

Thanks, I'll let the dealership go ahead and flush the brake fluid then. I
was told by someone that if the fluid wasn't nasty brown or showed problems
of corroded lines, leaks, etc that there was no need to flush it.


"Edward Hayes" <erhayes@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:9raSg.225145$5i3.205029@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

Hi Wilco,

In a posting in this group last month I dealt with the same problem, but I
take quite a different view on it.
I live in The Netherlands as well, we have a wet climate, temperatures vary
greatly, and traffic is dense (a lot of braking is required).
Brake fluid is highly hygroscopic, it attracts water as well as dirt through
the seals.
Moreover, it ages (due to intense heating/cooling) relatively quickly.
I know what a jamming brake does to your car at highway speeds (experienced
it 30 years ago on an Autobahn in Germany).
Cause: rusted pistons and cylinders in the rear drum brakes (Renault, not
Subaru).
The car (Renault 12TS) was 2 years old, had only run 30,000 KM.
Since then I have the brake fluid replaced every 2 years, the same holds
good for power steering fluid and coolant.
All these (especially the hydraulic) fluids are subject to ageing and
deteriorating.
It's a 'small' investment in durability and safety - I know!
The fact that Subaru advise to change them every 2 or 3 years (model, age)
is sensible, I think even obligatory!

Georg





"Wvd" <wvdiest@xs4all.nl> schreef in bericht
news:45197546$0$4518$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...

On 2006-09-26 03:53:27 -0400, "Bradley Walker"
<bawalkerREMOVE@THISmodemnet.net> said:


an old fleet manager once explained to me that european and japanese
manufacturers rely on conditioners in the brake fluid to keep the
rubber parts of the brake system flexible. so you have a choice,
either replace the brake fluid according to the maintenance schedule,
or replace all the rubber parts early - his policy was to flush the
brake fluid.


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