Does anyone actually so this?

When I got my oil changed today, they told me that my power steering fluid and my brake fluid were dirty. That sounds like a crock of shit. Is there any validity to having these fluids flushed?

5/21/2014 11:44:44 PM

Completely valid.

Especially brake fluid. It's hydroscopic, which means it attracts moisture. Moisture in the your brakes are bad, as it'll start corroding the brake lines, possibly your ABS pump, and your calipers.

Besides, any hydraulic fluid has a lifespan and it's good practice to flush old the old and replace with the new, that is if you care about the machine you are using. If not, then feel free to neglect it.

I recommend brake fluid flushes every 1 to 2 years, but of course you can also always go by what your owner's manual/maintenance book says.

[Edited on May 22, 2014 at 12:01 AM. Reason : .]

5/21/2014 11:59:13 PM

The term is "hygroscopic"...meaning it has an affinity for water.

I totally recommend flushing brake fluid every 2 years.

This power steering fluid bullshit though...I'm not sold on. Your owner's manual tells all. And I'm betting it don't tell you to change the shit.

5/22/2014 2:43:30 PM

I do brake fluid when I replace rotors, which usually works out to every 2-3 years

5/22/2014 3:21:40 PM

What is the cost of the fluid and how hard is it to change the brake fluid oneself?

5/25/2014 10:04:10 PM

I didn't replace brake fluid once in 170k miles on a 12 yr old Jeep and never had trouble.

5/25/2014 10:38:13 PM

i haven't replaced the brake, power steering, or trans fluid on my fourteen year old 245k mile honda. At this point I'm afraid to.

5/26/2014 12:25:29 AM