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Change Brake Fluid

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Old 09-20-09, 11:14 AM
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15951
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Default Change Brake Fluid

My IS350 doesn't get driven much - it is an 06 with 13,500 miles. Regardless, I've had the oil changed every 6 months, and have replaced air filters yearly.

The only thing I've skipped is brake fluid change, which was due 6 months ago at 3 years/30k miles. Question: Does the life of brake fluid depend on time, or use? In other words, do I need to replace it now with only 13,500 miles on the car, or can it wait awhile longer?

This car is leased and it's only mine for another 9 months or so, so I'd like to skip this service item unless there's a real need to do it now.

Thanks!

UPDATE: I just spoke with the dealer, and they are charging $159.95 for this. I almost laughed out loud when she told me that.

Last edited by 15951; 09-20-09 at 11:24 AM.
Old 09-20-09, 01:12 PM
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javyLSU
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You should be fine until your lease is up. General rule of thumb is yearly service (excluding severe duty/track use), so if you just had it changed 6 months ago leave it be. Are you noticing anything wrong with your brake system, or is it just routine maintenance you're interested in?

Javier
Old 09-20-09, 01:50 PM
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15951
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Originally Posted by javyLSU
You should be fine until your lease is up. General rule of thumb is yearly service (excluding severe duty/track use), so if you just had it changed 6 months ago leave it be. Are you noticing anything wrong with your brake system, or is it just routine maintenance you're interested in?

Javier
I should have been clearer in my first post - I didn't do the brake fluid change at 3 years/36k, as I'm so far under on miles. The brake fluid has never been changed, and I'm trying to find out if it's ok to leave it that way given the low miles on the car.

Thanks!
Old 09-20-09, 01:55 PM
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Kurtz
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To answer your original question, brake fluid begins to absorb moisture from the moment it's put in the car.

Will you probably be fine? Sure... if you don't drive much and don't heat up the brake fluid much a lower boiling point (from absorbed moisture) probably won't ever cause an issue.

But if you were keeping it much longer, or suddenly going to drive it a lot more, I'd certainly suggest you get the service done.
Old 09-20-09, 01:56 PM
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masagsxr
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Thats how much they cost if you let the dealer do em.... I invested on the tool and do em myself. The tool is about $150 (pressure bleeder kit) with diff adapters.. Already used it like 9 times since i've owned it so it pretty much paid for itself
Old 09-20-09, 05:37 PM
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SGMIS3
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The dealer in Canada wants to charge $450 for brake fluid change hahahaha
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