GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011) Discussion about the 2006+ model GS300, GS350, GS430, GS450H and GS460

Brake Fluid Maintance

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-26-10, 12:22 AM
  #1  
GS350Lexus
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
GS350Lexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 2,741
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Cool Brake Fluid Maintance

Hello
How many of you guys that are around 30k miles changed brake fluid? By the lexus manual its recommended to change it every 30k miles. When i bought the car, i checked with lexus and its has not been done. I am thinking of changing it, how important is it? I asked my mechanic and he looked at it and said it was fine. Also i hear that you can't just drain and refill because of all the lights that will light up on the dash. You need a special machine that lexus and toyota have. Any input and personal experience would be greatly appreciated.
Old 05-26-10, 06:16 AM
  #2  
BinaryJay
Pole Position
 
BinaryJay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,154
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

It's a regular maintenance item for any car. Brake fluid absorbs moisture and eventually needs to be changed to prevent rusting of the brake components. Do you really need to ask yourself how important brakes are?

It's not an expensive service, just do it (at toyota?) for peace of mind.
Old 05-26-10, 07:36 AM
  #3  
LIMS407
Pole Position
 
LIMS407's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: FL
Posts: 2,246
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

i did my 30k service at toyota and they didnt change brake fluids,,
Old 05-26-10, 08:16 AM
  #4  
TWong350
Moderator

iTrader: (8)
 
TWong350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,479
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

It's always a good idea to do it. Even if it doesn't looks dirty, it's hygroscopic (absorbs water) as Jay pointed out. Definitely not something you want overlook and not something you want to do yourself either unless you have Techstream to assist you.
Old 05-26-10, 08:55 AM
  #5  
rominl
exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)
 
rominl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Lovely OC
Posts: 81,673
Received 190 Likes on 148 Posts
Default

as others said, you don't want moisture in the setup.

you can do the bleed yourself if you want, just make how otherwise computer might throw you an error code (though you have gs350 and that might be a good thing since you don't have ecb)
Old 05-26-10, 10:39 AM
  #6  
designo
Pole Position
iTrader: (6)
 
designo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 3,424
Received 470 Likes on 292 Posts
Default

Guys, tomorrow I will be replacing my rotors and brake pads. Do I need to worry about fluid change? I only have 7000 miles on my car?
Old 05-26-10, 10:52 AM
  #7  
TWong350
Moderator

iTrader: (8)
 
TWong350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,479
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

^nah, i woudln't worry about it.
Old 05-26-10, 11:05 AM
  #8  
designo
Pole Position
iTrader: (6)
 
designo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 3,424
Received 470 Likes on 292 Posts
Default

Thanks appreciate it!
Old 05-26-10, 11:14 AM
  #9  
ReyRey305
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
ReyRey305's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I've got 50,000 and I wanted to do it myself... I already recieved my maintanence kit from Sewell Lexus. Anyone want to make a "DIY" for bleeding the brake fluid properly on GS350 please ? ? ? ? ?
Old 05-26-10, 01:59 PM
  #10  
GS350Lexus
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
GS350Lexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 2,741
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Thanks for all the input.
Old 05-26-10, 03:36 PM
  #11  
rjacket
Driver
 
rjacket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I've just gone over 30k and haven't changed the fluid.

I use my brakes very little as I do mainly highway driving and was advised that it might not be worth doing if that's how I use the car.

Any thoughts on whether usage impacts when you should change brake fluid?
Old 05-26-10, 05:37 PM
  #12  
rominl
exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)
 
rominl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Lovely OC
Posts: 81,673
Received 190 Likes on 148 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by rjacket
I've just gone over 30k and haven't changed the fluid.

I use my brakes very little as I do mainly highway driving and was advised that it might not be worth doing if that's how I use the car.

Any thoughts on whether usage impacts when you should change brake fluid?
personally, 30k or 2 yrs i bleed the brakes. i would hate to suddenly find there are bubbles and such in the system or reduced performance due to moisture
Old 05-26-10, 06:32 PM
  #13  
GS350Lexus
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
GS350Lexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 2,741
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by rominl
personally, 30k or 2 yrs i bleed the brakes. i would hate to suddenly find there are bubbles and such in the system or reduced performance due to moisture
Don't you require a special machine/tool to do the brake fluid on our cars?
Old 05-26-10, 06:35 PM
  #14  
spine911
Lead Lap
iTrader: (4)
 
spine911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ca
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

use a MityVac for easier bleeding.
Old 05-26-10, 06:48 PM
  #15  
GS350Lexus
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
GS350Lexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 2,741
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Hold on can i just bleed it from the caliper brake lines and fill new brake fluid and pump it? I thought i seen someone saying that lights light up on the dash like VSC........ if you do it without special machine that lexus and toyota have!


Quick Reply: Brake Fluid Maintance



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:13 AM.