Is Brake Flush Included in Scheduled Maintenance?

[3002 tii]

When it's time to get brakes replaced, do they do a full flush or just bleed? Also in between brakes, will they flush/bleed fluids say every 2 years?

[JimD]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

When it's time to get brakes replaced, do they do a full flush or just bleed? Also in between brakes, will they flush/bleed fluids say every 2 years?

I believe I got one bleed at two years under the free maintenance program. If they change the brakes, however, I doubt they will flush.

[MightyMouseTech]

No need to flush the fluid when changing brakes.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by JimD

I believe I got one bleed at two years under the free maintenance program. If they change the brakes, however, I doubt they will flush.

That's what I suspected. I think I read in one of the BMW marketing/literature it stated brake fluid change but when I asked a former tech, I could've swore he said "change" just meant a bleed.

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

No need to flush the fluid when changing brakes.

No need to flush trans fluid as it's considered 'lifetime' by BMW but that still wouldn't stop me.

In any case, I only ask because if they're going to flush the fluid during the normal brake service, I might then hold off on doing myself. No point in putting good stuff just to go back to OE stuff few months later.

[RoundelM3]

Brake flush is recommended by BMW service every 2 years; if it's not included in maintenance, it's worth the cost to get it done.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Brake flush is recommended by BMW service every 2 years; if it's not included in maintenance, it's worth the cost to get it done.

That would agree with my memory of one by BMW. I did it once too. If you get a power bleeder, it is pretty easy. Biggest work involved is lifting the car so you can remove the wheels to get easy access to the bleed screws. Then it is just a matter of pumping up the system with the bleeder and letting some fluid out at each wheel. Unless you change color of the fluid, how much to let out is feel. You start with the passengers rear and move towards to master cylinder under the hood.

While I've done it and will very likely do it again, I'm a little mixed in my feelings about the need. I've driven lots of other cars that never got it changed. Brakes always worked fine. I've also checked brake cylinders while replacing pads and found corrosion. And I've seen nasty fluid come out while bleeding after pad replacement. So I think it's a good idea but would also note nothing terrible will immediately happen if you delay changing it.

If you change it, use new fluid. The fluid is hydroscopic, it absorbs moisture from the air readily, so changing the old fluid in your system with old fluid off the shelf in your garage doesn't make a lot of sense. The fluid is pretty cheap. Bavarian has 12 oz of genuine BMW fluid for $5, for instance.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by JimD

While I've done it and will very likely do it again, I'm a little mixed in my feelings about the need. I've driven lots of other cars that never got it changed. Brakes always worked fine. I've also checked brake cylinders while replacing pads and found corrosion. And I've seen nasty fluid come out while bleeding after pad replacement. So I think it's a good idea but would also note nothing terrible will immediately happen if you delay changing it.

Wow, some bad advice here.

[Flot]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Wow, some bad advice here.

I'm really curious about this. I'm in my 30s and have owned and maintained 15? 20? vehicles of all shapes and sizes in model years 1979 to 2013. Some of those got 25,000 miles a year and some of them got 300 miles a year. I've seen 3 calipers and 2 master cylinders go bad but I wouldn't attribute any of those to a lack of flushing... well maybe one of the calipers.

I have never, in my life, flushed the brake fluid in a vehicle. Am I telling you not to do it? No. I just find a 2 year brake fluid service interval a bit odd unless there is something very unique about the fluid/system.

If you track the car and know you are beating the hell out of the brakes, that's a different story.

[MightyMouseTech]

Your brake caliper and master cylinder failures are most likely a result of not flushing the fluid. Brake caliper and master cylinder failures are usually a result of old fluid. One of the most important features of brake fluid is it's water absorption abilities. Think of it as a silica gel pack for the inside of your braking system. From the day you open the brake fluid bottle, it is trying very hard to absorb as much water as possible. That is because even the smallest amount of water will allow the inside of the calipers, lines, ABS solinoids, master etc etc to corrode, or freeze in winter, possibly leaving you with no brakes. But the fluid can only absorb so much, after that, you can get water droplets forming during constant pressurization and release of pressure in the system.

And as the fluid absorbs moisture, it's boiling point continues to drop. You don't want to be descending any steep hills with old fluid, it will boil and the pedal can go to the floor.

Another thing I have noticed, with old fluid, the high moisture content will allow algae to grow in the system. Really tough to clean that crap out. Need to flush with alcohol, then flush with brake fluid for a long time.

[Flot]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Your brake caliper and master cylinder failures are most likely a result of not flushing the fluid. Brake caliper and master cylinder failures are usually a result of old fluid.

I'm not arguing, and of course I can't promise they weren't a result of lack of maint, but I'm sure there are plenty of people doing brake flushes who have had the same happen. All of those were on relatively low-mileage vehicles that were 8+ years old btw. (which I realize is a worst case for service anyway)

Incidentally - this thread got me curious so I pulled out the maintenance schedule on my new Dodge Truck, with an 11,000 lb towing rating you'd think brakes would be at the top of their list - zero mention of a brake fluid service interval.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Flot

Incidentally - this thread got me curious so I pulled out the maintenance schedule on my new Dodge Truck, with an 11,000 lb towing rating you'd think brakes would be at the top of their list - zero mention of a brake fluid service interval.

That is really, really scary for the Dodge. Remind me never to be in front if a Dodge truck in the mountains.

[Flot]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

That is really, really scary for the Dodge. Remind me never to be in front if a Dodge truck in the mountains.

Now I was REALLY curious, so I looked up the Ford F-150 maint schedule. Also no mention of brake fluid. At 60k miles however they recommend you change the climate controlled seat filters.

Next up? 2014 Chevy corvette: Replace brake fluid every 10 years or 150,000 miles whichever comes first.

[MightyMouseTech]

Do what you want.

BMW says every 2 years. I know Honda/Acura is every 3 years. Mileage really does not make a difference.

[Esteban]

I got a free brake fluid service after two years which I believe is a flush and new brake fluid.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Do what you want.

BMW says every 2 years. I know Honda/Acura is every 3 years. Mileage really does not make a difference.

Audi says brake fluid flush every 2 years as well for what it's worth.

[Pyrat 2]

There is no one size fits all on brake fluid changes. Factory maintenance does cover changes according to the service interval indicator. The dealer has flagged my 135is for a covered change after 18 months. If you track your car you will likely want to put in higher temperature fluid which requires more frequent changes to maintain their boiling point capability.

[RoundelM3]

Anybody remember that old saying about "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? BMW says 15K/yearly oil changes are ok, and that the transmission and differential fills are "lifetime". Being an old-school guy (been driving for 50 years and working on cars for longer than that), I'm following Mike Self's (from BMW CCA magazine ROUNDEL) old-school maintenance schedule. You invest ~50K in a car, you take care of it. You drive a Toyota, you buy a new one when it breaks (around 200K miles).

Another thought - if you fail to get the brake fluid flushed and at some point your brakes fail to stop your car before colliding with a person or other vehicle, was it worth ignoring BMW's reasonable (in this case) recommendation?

[amyracecar]

this not flushing brake fluid thing kinda scares me and i couldn't imagine not..

the cars around my home get the fluid flushed once every 2 years OR when the brakes are done.. new brakes = fresh fluid always as a part of the prevention $/cure $ anaylsis

brake fluid is hydroscopic and thus absorbs water [we also check the fluid to see when it starts getting crap in int] - maybe i live in a much more humid environment, but i can "feel" the brakes start to get "squishy" as the fluid starts to degrade and considering i expect my car to stop when i hit that pedal... religiously make sure that the fluid is in good shape or else it is gone!