[Wiskey]

Hello all,

I went to the dealer the other day and they recommended allot of things for my 2016 Camaro with 40,000 miles on it.

One of those things was a brake fluid service. I checked the manual and this is recommended at 5 years. Can you think of any reason why it would be recommended to do this early? Should I consider it?

The recommended fuel induction service I've figured out is basically useless unless you have a problem.

I can do the air filter and cabin filter myself. And I'm going to price check the tire cost.

What do you think? Would you even consider the brake fluid service for $120? I don't race or anything.

Thank you,
Whiskey

[Gunkk]

Obey the manual, not the stealership.

[rjacobs]

brake fluid absorbs water from the air...its hygroscopic...

There is some brake fluid(Castrol RBF) that recommends it be changed yearly because of how much water it can absorb from the air.

Some of the other high performance stuff recommends a 2 year swap.

Factory fluid aint that great so it is probably pretty low on the hygroscopic level. So 5 years is probably good enough.

The systems are ALMOST sealed, but obviously some air and thus moisture can get in.

BUT if you want it done, I wouldnt say $120 is a terrible price as they will hook it up to the Tech 2 to bleed the ABS module. $20 in fluid and an hour of shop time.

I wouldnt do it at the 2 year mark personally on a daily driver type vehicle. Hell I probably wouldnt do it at the 5 year mark(I only put around 10k a year on my daily driver). Do it when you need brakes which will probably be at between 60 and 80k miles...

[Gabhart]

Every 2 years regardless of mileage has always been the golden rule.

[fastball]

I've had cars with 120k on the factory brake fluid with zero issues.

You can change the fluid whenever and as often as you like but it's not detrimental.

[Magnum922]

I've had and have cars with 20 and 30 year old break fluid that are fine, stop on a dime. Maybe the newer brake fluid isn't that good or just a precaution.

[oneredry]

Originally Posted by Gabhart

Every 2 years regardless of mileage has always been the golden rule.

This..

[Wiskey]

It sounds like this is still the topic of some debate. I think I will hold off and flush the system when I need to replace my brake pads which should be before the 5 year mark. I've always done the two together since I'm already in there.

Thank you for the advice!
Whiskey

[GrimReaperSS]

As a Mercedes tech, I can tell you that they recommend every 2 years or 20k. Even the bottle states every two years. I read the manual on my Colorado this weekend and it also states every 5 years. I get it, you see it all the time, cars with 200k on the original brake fluid, but it is black and nasty. If it were in a truck, I wouldnt recommend towing with it. Gotta remember too, it also acts a lubricant for the seals in your master cylinder and calipers. Plus the hygroscopic properties can cause rust of the brake lines from the inside out. As stated above, stick with what the manual says, not the dealer. I also see it this way, you cant over maintain your car, but you sure can under maintain it. For me, my Colorado say to change the transmission fluid at 97.5k for "normal" use and 47.5k for "severe" use. I like to pick an easy mileage to follow, so I'll just do mine every 40k. Engine oil changes state every 7.5k, I just do it every 5k. Easy to follow and since GM has had issues in the past with the Oil Life Monitor algorithms on other models, I dont trust that.

[Rock-It Man]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Obey the manual, not the stealership.

Yup.

[enzia35]

I plan on doing it this year, so that would be 2 years.

[6spdhyperblue]

Are these sharing the reservoir with the clutch? I think they are, right? I’m doing it this weekend so I’ll find out then.

But yeah If u have a manual and it shares I would change more frequently for sure

[oneredry]

Originally Posted by Nicul15

Are these sharing the reservoir with the clutch? I think they are, right? I’m doing it this weekend so I’ll find out then.

But yeah If u have a manual and it shares I would change more frequently for sure

yes, if you have a manual, it does share the same with brake fluid. to me, that would be even more reason to change it sooner.

[Kairles]

Originally Posted by Gabhart

Every 2 years regardless of mileage has always been the golden rule.

This is what I was always told growing up as well. Then I switched to once a year once I stated tracking my vehicles(5 events or less a year)