How often should I change my brake fluid?
Every vehicle brake system contains brake fluid, which is the hydraulic fluid responsible for moving the components of the braking system (essentially a hydraulic system).
Every time you press the brake pedal to slow or stop your vehicle, brake fluid flows through the braking system. This fluid allows you to brake smoothly without lag or kickback. Unfortunately, brake fluid can’t stay in optimal condition forever. Over time, it absorbs moisture from the environment and becomes contaminated. This means that the fluid can’t flow properly through your brake system.
Once this happens, you won’t have as much stopping power as usual. Secondly, you’ll experience a delay when braking. This should be taken seriously as it can increase the risk of accidents.
So, if your brake fluid becomes dirty and deteriorated, it needs to be replaced. The question is, how do you know when that time has come?
Simply put, your brakes can experience problems while you are driving your car. If your brakes start to work less well, have them checked by a mechanic right away. When to Change Brake Fluid
There’s no easy way to estimate how often you should change your brake fluid. It’s not like an oil change in your car, which is required every 5,000 miles.
Some car manufacturers recommend changing your brake fluid every 4 to 5 years, while others don’t. Brake fluid change intervals depend on the make and model of your vehicle. Honda recommends changing your brake fluid every three years, regardless of mileage.
Luxury cars like Mercedes-Benz require new brake fluid every 20,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. In most cases, you’ll be lucky to have to change your brake fluid even once over the life of your car. Driving conditions usually play a big role.
For example, frequent braking in city areas and regular short distance driving will wear out your brake fluid and brake components faster. However, if you regularly drive on highways and regular roads at a steady speed, your brake fluid will last longer.
Signs to look out for
The best way to know when it’s time to change your brake fluid is to pay attention to the warning signs. You should visually inspect your brake fluid yourself every year.
Normal brake fluid should look clear. However, if it changes color, you should consider changing your brake fluid. The color is often brown or rusty. This is often a sign that your brake fluid is old and contaminated.
Even if your braking system is still fully functional, you shouldn’t take any chances. If your brake fluid turns dark brown, change it as soon as possible.
Another sign to look out for is a spongy brake pedal. This is what gives you that spongy feeling when you press the brake pedal. If you ever needed a reason to check to see if your fluid is bad, let this be it.
