Brake fluid change at dealership

pj.rodriguez · 08-12-2013, 05:14 PM

Hey,

I recently went to a dealer to get the recall done and they said that I need to have brake fluid exchange. The computer on the car says that I don't need to change it for another year. I just got the car in June and I have no idea if the brake fluid was changed. And if I were to get the fluid change and they reset the service interval, would it not read another 3 years? (For example, it says 2014, but if it were to be reset, it would read 2016, is this correct?)

What should I do? Go to the dealer to get the service done?

Mach1er · 08-12-2013, 09:49 PM

How many miles? What year? Do the brakes feel OK to you?

pj.rodriguez · 08-13-2013, 08:24 AM

It's about 119000 km. so that's about 70-75000 miles I believe. It's an 08 and the brakes feel fine. Not spongy or anything.

JimD · 08-13-2013, 08:25 AM

I believe the recommended brake fluid change interval for BMWs is 2 years. My non-BWM vehicles have not recommended brake fluid change. The issue is with moisture. If you do not change, the fluid will have more moisture in it which can degrade brake components. It is a very gradual process. I doubt you will feel anything different about the brakes. Water doesn't compress either so the brakes should feel fine.

I've changed my fluid once and the dealer has done it at least once on my 2009. It only takes a few minutes if you have a power bleeder. Getting the wheels out of the way so you can reach the bleed valves is the biggest effort.

The only safe thing to do is to have it changed or change it yourself. You can probably pay for the tools the first time you do it. But the odds of causing any serious problem in the near term is near zero. If you were to drive on a track event or seriously challenge the brakes and they have moisture in the fluid it can boil affecting the brakes. Otherwise they should function normally.

Jim

Pyrat 2 · 08-13-2013, 09:08 AM

If you are going to the track definitely change. If not then it's less urgent.

F80_M3llow · 08-13-2013, 08:25 PM

I work for BMW and its every two years.

pj.rodriguez · 08-13-2013, 10:19 PM

I just got my car in June this year and I have no maintenance history on the car. If I were to do it myself and reset the computer, would it read 2016 (because its currently reading 2014). Should I wait until 2014 to change or just do it now? And I don't track the car.

And thanks Jim for all your input. I always have a great time reading your posts.

JimD · 08-14-2013, 07:57 AM

This is the power brake bleeder I have used and plan to use again:

http://www.amazon.com/Motive-0100-Eu...+brake+bleeder

If you can take your wheels on and off you can do this. I don't use the bleeder the recommeded way. They recommend you putting the new fluid in the bleeder and then attaching it to the brake resevoir and that will work. I don't like getting fluid all over in the bleeder for it to collect moisture from the air, however. Instead, I just fill up the brake resevoir and pressurize it with the above tool. I have to refill for each wheel, however. I think the lack of cleaning is a good tradeoff for having to refill. With the system pressurized, all you do is crack open a bleeder valve and let enough fluid out to be sure you have new fluid in that line. Do the furtherest from the master cylinder first and work your way back. Quite simple and painless (once the car is in the air with the wheels off. You don't absolutely have to remove the wheels but it is a pain to get to the bleeders if you don't.

Jim

08-12-2013, 05:14 PM	#1
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	Brake fluid change at dealership Hey, I recently went to a dealer to get the recall done and they said that I need to have brake fluid exchange. The computer on the car says that I don't need to change it for another year. I just got the car in June and I have no idea if the brake fluid was changed. And if I were to get the fluid change and they reset the service interval, would it not read another 3 years? (For example, it says 2014, but if it were to be reset, it would read 2016, is this correct?) What should I do? Go to the dealer to get the service done?
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08-12-2013, 09:49 PM	#2
Mach1er Lieutenant 88 Rep 524 Posts Drives: '13 128i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	How many miles? What year? Do the brakes feel OK to you? __________________ '13 128i \| 6MT \| SGM \| Black Boston \| Black Gloss \| Lighting \| Premium \| Tech \| HK \| Anti-Theft \| [CDV-Delete \| Clutch Stop \| 30% Pinnacle] Ordered 2.23 \| Production Begin 3.7 \| Ends 3.15 \| Released to carrier 3.18 \| At port 3.19 \| Departed 3.23 (K-line to Brunswick) \| Arrived 4.7 \| Truck 4.12 \| Dealer 4.19
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08-13-2013, 08:24 AM	#3
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	It's about 119000 km. so that's about 70-75000 miles I believe. It's an 08 and the brakes feel fine. Not spongy or anything.
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08-13-2013, 08:25 AM	#4
JimD Brigadier General 369 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I believe the recommended brake fluid change interval for BMWs is 2 years. My non-BWM vehicles have not recommended brake fluid change. The issue is with moisture. If you do not change, the fluid will have more moisture in it which can degrade brake components. It is a very gradual process. I doubt you will feel anything different about the brakes. Water doesn't compress either so the brakes should feel fine. I've changed my fluid once and the dealer has done it at least once on my 2009. It only takes a few minutes if you have a power bleeder. Getting the wheels out of the way so you can reach the bleed valves is the biggest effort. The only safe thing to do is to have it changed or change it yourself. You can probably pay for the tools the first time you do it. But the odds of causing any serious problem in the near term is near zero. If you were to drive on a track event or seriously challenge the brakes and they have moisture in the fluid it can boil affecting the brakes. Otherwise they should function normally. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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08-13-2013, 09:08 AM	#5
Pyrat 2 Colonel 1421 Rep 2,560 Posts Drives: Rapidly from A to B Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs or TN Smokies iTrader: (3) Garage List 2022 Porsche GT4 [9.64] 2018 Porsche GT3 [9.33] 2007 Z4 M Roadster [8.33] 2020 BMW X1 [0.00]	If you are going to the track definitely change. If not then it's less urgent. __________________ '07 Z4MR '22 GT4 '18 GT3 '16 GT4, '16 M2, '14 X1, '13 135is, '06 330i, '03 323 Ci, '01 330i, '99 M3 (RIP), '96 318is, some non-BMWs
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08-13-2013, 08:25 PM	#6
F80_M3llow Lieutenant Colonel 201 Rep 1,714 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norwalk CT iTrader: (14) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 135i [7.00]	I work for BMW and its every two years.
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08-13-2013, 10:19 PM	#7
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	I just got my car in June this year and I have no maintenance history on the car. If I were to do it myself and reset the computer, would it read 2016 (because its currently reading 2014). Should I wait until 2014 to change or just do it now? And I don't track the car. And thanks Jim for all your input. I always have a great time reading your posts.
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08-14-2013, 07:57 AM	#8
JimD Brigadier General 369 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	This is the power brake bleeder I have used and plan to use again: http://www.amazon.com/Motive-0100-Eu...+brake+bleeder If you can take your wheels on and off you can do this. I don't use the bleeder the recommeded way. They recommend you putting the new fluid in the bleeder and then attaching it to the brake resevoir and that will work. I don't like getting fluid all over in the bleeder for it to collect moisture from the air, however. Instead, I just fill up the brake resevoir and pressurize it with the above tool. I have to refill for each wheel, however. I think the lack of cleaning is a good tradeoff for having to refill. With the system pressurized, all you do is crack open a bleeder valve and let enough fluid out to be sure you have new fluid in that line. Do the furtherest from the master cylinder first and work your way back. Quite simple and painless (once the car is in the air with the wheels off. You don't absolutely have to remove the wheels but it is a pain to get to the bleeders if you don't. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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