bamalam

The RX maintenance guide recommends brake fluid replacement every 30K miles (48km). Any thoughts on how necessary this is, and if geographic humidity range influences your thought? If you replace brake fluid yourself, have you found a bleeder that works well with the RX?

mikemu30

I have it done when pads need replacement. 30K miles seems overkill to me and I've NEVER done it that often on any car and NEVER had brake line issues. Maybe if you keep the car 10 or 15 years but I don't.

bamalam

That sounds right. For good or bad, our '17 Pilot also specifies 30K brake fluid replacement. It has 76K with the original fluid. It has some brake shudder now, so I'll probably do fluid, pads and rotors at the same time. Unless I hear a compelling reason to replace the fluid sooner in the RX, I'll likely treat it the same way. We do shoot for 10 year ownership, although we average 7.

mikemu30

There's a Toyota master mechanic video out there where he confirms unless you plan to keep the car ten years or more, brake fluid change is really overkill. The again, it doesn't cost much to have it done but works for me just to do it when pads and rotors are shot.

jrobe

The correct answer is probably that the brake fluid should be replaced when it has absorbed enough moisture that it could cause harm (rust, etc.) to the other brake components. One way to judge this to some degree is to simply inspect it for color which a good mechanic would be able to judge pretty well.

On the other hand, replacing the brake fluid is relatively inexpensive and much cheaper than replacing other brake components. I wouldn't just blow off the recommended change interval and hope for the best although the recommended interval may be pretty conservative.

jcg0324

Get yourself a "Brake Fluid Tester" part # 4598. Very inexpensive ( $15.00 on EBAY ) and will tell you how much H2O is in the system. Water is the enemy of your internal brake parts. Starting at about 30,000 miles then once every year or two after that check the brake fluid with the tester. The "Car Care Nut" has a really good "you tube" on this subject.

Quantum501

This. My car is at 40,000 miles and 2 years. Checked with the tester and the fluid is at 0%.
Can't necessarily go with color or miles or time. Just test and replace when necessary.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

I would change it every 3 years.

mikemu30

Yep this may be the same video I was referring to.

jcg0324

All the fluids in your car will eventually go bad. Engine oil, trans fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, rear differential and transfer case lubricant. There is no such thing as "LIFETIME" lubricant.
Who are you kidding? The dealership would like you to believe it. Brake fluid flush would be good about 100,000 miles or 10 years.

kalvink

I change it every 30k, I live in Florida and drive a lot, through storms etc. With the pressurized pump (off amazon) that goes onto the master cylinder, it's easy to get all the fluid out myself.

jcg0324

Those pumps do come in handy.

Rarebird1

I tried to read the maintenance threads but saw some mixed reviews about a brake fluid flush. I believe the recommended is 3 years or 30k miles but im not positive. My vehicle is exactly at 3 years but only has 15k miles. Should i get it done?

chuyrobles

Should be ok. I have a cheap brake fluid device that measures moisture in the fluid. At 60K, the brake fluid shows good in our 2018 RX350. Brakes as expected.

jcg0324

Lexus does recommend every 3 years or 30k miles but, as long as no moisture is getting into the system it's a waste of time and money. Get yourself one of these: and check it once every 2 years.