10-17-2017, 08:51 PM | #23 | |
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That "certain time" isn't 2 years. Your friend needs to learn what a downshift is. The only thing you've learned in a year is how quickly banks will lend money to soldiers that sign lifetime contracts. |
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10-17-2017, 09:14 PM | #24 |
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I don't care.
You don't need to flush your brake fluid every 2 years. Buy the test strips to confirm. /Thread. |
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10-19-2017, 02:50 PM | #25 |
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Let's get focused back on technical issues rather than "gut feel"....
Here's an excerpt from a technical article about brake fluid, meassuring wet and dry boiling points etc that covers the topic well IMO... 4.0 When to Change Brake Fluid? Many motor vehicle manufacturers recommend checking brake fluid every 12 months, or changing fluid every 24 months. The amount of moisture that brake fluid absorbs depends on a number of factors including the type of fluid, humidity, type of brake hoses, condition of the seals and mileage. Brake fluid will absorb 1% or more moisture per year of service life. A two year old vehicle will have 2 to 3% water in the brake fluid. 3% water reduces the boiling point of DOT 3 brake fluid by approximately 175°F (97°C). 3% water in DOT 4 brake fluid reduces the boiling point by 162°F (90°C). (See Chart next page) Generally, the type of driving should influence when to change brake fluid. If the vehicle is used for towing, is driven in mountainous regions, or has an ABS system it would be best to change the fluid sooner. All vehicles should have the brake fluid changed when the water exceeds the minimum wet boil point. Motor vehicle manufacturers may recommend brake fluid changes at lower water content/ higher boiling point than shown on the chart. OEM service recommendations should be followed. BMW reccomends 3 years for first flush and 2 year intervals there after...same as Audi/Vw...both use Bosch braking components (ABS valve blocks.) so I'd bet that Bosch has given some input to the car makers here about how to keep their components in top operating shape...Interesting to note both makes switched to requiring only DOT 4 LV (low viscosity) fluid at about the same time a few years back....so I'd guess Bosch drove that change as well.... |
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10-19-2017, 03:38 PM | #26 | ||
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I've never seen someone on the street get into an accidentally solely because their brake fluid boiled. Even under track use in the middle of an 90F summer, my rotors reach 350F at most and calipers are at 150-200F (measured about 1-2 minutes after coming off the track). Not nearly enough to boil brake fluid on the street unless if you're dragging your brakes the entire time. I'm more inclined to believe that this "friend" got into an accident because of operator error than boiling brake fluid. |
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10-19-2017, 03:47 PM | #27 | |
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10-19-2017, 03:49 PM | #28 | |
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10-19-2017, 08:54 PM | #29 |
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I don't think you will get into a catastrophic accident if you don't change your brake fluid in 2-3 years but it won't hurt.
A friend recently changed his brake fluid after 3 years and the reading on his brake fluid tester was less than 3% water. I just changed my brake fluid after 4.5 years and it read over 5%.
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10-19-2017, 10:11 PM | #30 |
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My father finally had his brake fluid in his Cougar XR-7 changed after 25 years! But he is & drives like an old man. When you drive your car daily the degradation in response/performance can be difficult to notice as it happens incrementally over time. If you drive in a spirited fashion, changing fluid every 2 years can keep you safe & protect the brake components from possible corrosion due to the hygroscopic nature of brake fluid. Brake fluid is cheap, and a pressure bleeder makes the job a breeze.
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10-20-2017, 11:03 AM | #31 | |
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But I'm thinking the more frequent flushing being required by BMW and other car makers today is more to keep sensitive modern ABS components in good health and doing their ABS/traction control duties, rather than being driven by brake fade considerations. |
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10-20-2017, 11:22 AM | #32 |
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For me, it simple. Change every 2-3 years to retain as long as possible a good conditioned brake system minimizing the chance of degradation and corrosion. It's cheap insurance on a safety system.
As noted the degradation of brake fluid has a number of variables: driving style, temp, ambient humidity, driving load, etc. I've disassembled some systems that have not had fluid changed in 7-8 years and the components are fine. Others have looked like crap after 3-4. Varies. I choose to error on the conservative (non-political) side. To each their own and reap the "benefits" of your decisions! |
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10-20-2017, 12:07 PM | #33 | |
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Driving through mountainous areas requires a certain driving technique that relies on correct gear selection over the use of brakes. There's no reason for you to suffer brake fade if you're driving properly. What brake component were you measuring the temperature of during this "downhill blast"? You think the manufacturer was more inclined to publish their brake flush interval to preserve system components (that will EASILY last beyond the warranty period), over pressure from consumer and government legislation and lawsuits? |
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12-17-2017, 04:44 PM | #34 |
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Reviving this thread...a friend with a 2017 330 (B48 engine) told me that to do a brake flush in this car he thinks he needs to use software to perform the bleed. He has no traditional brake fluid reservoir and you have to perform the service by controlling the ECU. Can anyone confirm this?
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10-31-2018, 08:37 PM | #35 | |
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Nice writeup. In your post, you said "My fluid was the same color so for the 1st one I flushed it till it was around 1/4 left in the reservoir, this ensured it was all new fluid in the lines." Is the first one the right rear one (the farthest)? Does that mean the longest line only takes about 3/4 volume of a full reservoir. Am I understanding you right? I am thinking about bleeding the brake system of my 2013 X5 E70 soon with the Motive bleeder. Because of the similar color for the old and new fluid, I just want to know the volume needed for the first bleeding without needing to add fluid to the reservoir, which could a PITA. Thanks.
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06-05-2019, 04:10 PM | #38 |
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FWIW at this late point in the thread, the reason for changing brake fluid is to address the issue of the fluid becoming contaminated with water over time. The car has no method of measuring brake fluid moisture content, so to err on the side of caution it's a mileage based condition. If you'd rather know if a change is necessary get one of these and you'll be sure, one way or the other:
https://www.amazon.com/PTE-Tester-ca...CZ9TYVW7KRQ18S |
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06-10-2019, 01:37 AM | #41 |
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06-22-2019, 12:12 AM | #42 |
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Just switched over to BMW from VW. ATE SL.6 was a good fluid for DD flushes on the VW / Audi's every two years. Was quick and easy with my Motive Power Bleeder. Is the SL.6 a decent option on a 328 / 330 not seeing track use?
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12-11-2022, 11:00 AM | #44 | |
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So I did buy one of those gadgets and it’s says my 9 year old brake fluid has 0% water content. And it’s certainly not black or even dark colored. Car stops just as well as it ever has. Not sold on the 2-3 year/30k change out. |
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