yeldogt

The CT uses DOT 3. All fluid will attract moisture -- most german cars call for 4 or 4e and that attracts a bit more as it ages ... the cars (brakes) are (or could be) subjected to higher temps. Without getting into the nitty gritty -- it's DOT 4 that has the 2 year cycle. DOT 3 in most cars has not and does not have a change interval -- I believe Toyota/ Lexus has 5 years in some of it's cars.

Air can get into the brakes at the calipers and the reservoir -- calipers used to leak more years ago. One would see some fluid degradation at the caliper when the first bit came out. I still do a quick bleed at the caliper when I service the brakes on a DOT 3 car -- otherwise I leave them the fluid alone.

Raidin

Thanks for the information everyone! I always believed that since the system is under high pressure, it would be sealed, or otherwise you'd have fluid being pushed out. I'm reading through the links posted by KKM (thanks!) and will consult my mechanic again.

nacke

Change interval seems to be 3 years for CT:

http://www.lexus.com/pdf/service/CTh_WSG.pdf

In a hybrid brakes aren't used that much, so it would be nice to have fresh fluid in calipers. Less corrosion, less sticking in the long run.

yeldogt

Is that the USA book?

I will have to give mine a look.

FYI ... My Prius ...I can't remember if it is never mentioned or if it is 10 years -- The B fluid.

I remember commenting to the dealer (Toyota) -- and he responded ... we never change them!

irondonkey

i've been looking at used models with 40k miles, but should i look for one with lower mileage?

if i were to find one with 50k miles, it's a lot cheaper off carmax, but i would have to buy the warranty that goes up to 150k miles instead of the 100k miles.

also, do they all come with back up cameras?

this one might be the one- http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/...results%20page

lexusrus

I don't see the folding LED/LCD screen on the dash. Also I don't see the mouse on the center console. So this car does not have the NAV package.

I have seen some overseas CT200H with a rear view monitor built into the rear view mirror installed by Lexus at the factory. Usually these are lower optioned CT200H's. But still a nice car for the money. I have a 2013 CT200H also, but a fully loaded one and the MSRP was way up there. Bought it brand new. The dealer had to discount it substantially in order for me to buy it.

I say go for it.

Raidin

Regarding high mileage CTs. You'll be fine as long as you can confirm the car's been serviced properly. I am now just over 200k and I still have no problems.

As far as the brake fluid discussion, here's what I got back from my mechanic when I asked again; he told me that while it is true, moisture will find its way into the system, there are few places in the world where the conditions are bad enough to allow so much moisture into the system in that you need to change the fluid that regularly. In the US, 99% of the cars will probably never need a fluid change.

The point he was making is that the amount of moisture in my fluid, if I were to have it checked, would be insignificant, such as 0.01% or something. On top of that, he has never seen a single case of any problem that was related to brake fluid moisture as the cause. On the discussion database mechanics use to ask each other about unusual problems, he has never seen it mentioned nor have any of his colleagues.

Right now I'm content never changing the fluid. I'm past 200k on a 1.5 year-old car that has always had excellent braking performance.

Forgot to mention: he also told me that should I ever have a problem that is related to moisture in the system, he will replace the entire brake system for free. =P