Ivant Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I thought I would change the brake fluid in my 97 Legacy. It got me thinking, that with all the maintenance I have done on this car, I can't remember the last time that I changed it. Going through my records, it seems that I have never changed it. On further inspection it seems that as far as I can ascertain, it has never been changed. Off to the parts store for a 500ml bottle of brake fluid. It got me wondering just how many people actually change the brake fluid in their cars, or just don't bother. Checking in the manual, it says the fluid should be changed every 50.000kms. Ooops been a bit slack there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivant Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Just got a couple of jam jars of horrible old black silt filled brake fluid. I noticed the old black stuff went to the top of the jar, and when the new stuff started to pump through it sunk to the bottom of the jar. The whole system is now full of the new stuff and it even seems to be braking better. I will be changing it more often in future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnectar Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 The old stuff must had been contaminated with moisture and as the temperature rises it causes that h2o to evaporate creating steam which causes air in the system which is compresssable giving a spongy brake pedal feel. Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo F Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I've never changed out brake fluid myself in the past, except for when it was needed due to breaking open the brake lines for other purposes. I'm sure it can't hurt because the brake fluid will tend to pick up moisture over time (which is going to corrode steel brake lines over time). I'm thinking every 5 years woudln't be a bad time to change it out. Of course of my 5 cars, the 2006 & 2007 Toyotas still have original brake fluid, my '88 Nissan was changed out exactly 5 years ago, the Honda Accord was changed out 3 years ago and the last changout for my Subie is unknown since I recently bought the car. In all the vehicles the brake fluid color still looks good. One of these days I will get a brake bleeder and start changing them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian3676 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I change it when I do the brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I just had mine changed. In fact I had all of the fluids changed so I have a baseline for when the last time all the fluids have been changed (since I just bought the car). I change the brake fluid on my BMW every couple of years (the vehicle reminds me to do so) and I'll probably use the BMW reminder as a reminder to do the Subaru's at the same time. Brakes are one area I want to ensure are problem free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnectar Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Im taking automotive service classes and my instructor at mazda was recommending every 24 months. If you live coastline in a humid area more often than that. If you drive hard and heat it up causing it to darken which could be burning it or rubber seals deteriorating change it more often. If you drive it like a grandma change it every 5 years.. If you have a mushy brake pedal bleeding it should be the first step.. might as well throw some braided lines to replace the oem rubber flex hose that... flexes and is also partially responsible for mushy pedal. For the 10$ or less in fluid it will cost you I bleed fluid every time I do brakes. Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivant Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 I've never changed out brake fluid myself in the past, except for when it was needed due to breaking open the brake lines for other purposes. I'm sure it can't hurt because the brake fluid will tend to pick up moisture over time (which is going to corrode steel brake lines over time). I'm thinking every 5 years woudln't be a bad time to change it out. Of course of my 5 cars, the 2006 & 2007 Toyotas still have original brake fluid, my '88 Nissan was changed out exactly 5 years ago, the Honda Accord was changed out 3 years ago and the last changout for my Subie is unknown since I recently bought the car. In all the vehicles the brake fluid color still looks good. One of these days I will get a brake bleeder and start changing them out. Yes a bleeder is a must, I find it to be great. I can do it myself without having to get the dragon down to pump the pedal, that she doesn't like doing. Car stuff is my department so I'm told. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivant Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 Im taking automotive service classes and my instructor at mazda was recommending every 24 months. If you live coastline in a humid area more often than that. If you drive hard and heat it up causing it to darken which could be burning it or rubber seals deteriorating change it more often. If you drive it like a grandma change it every 5 years.. If you have a mushy brake pedal bleeding it should be the first step.. might as well throw some braided lines to replace the oem rubber flex hose that... flexes and is also partially responsible for mushy pedal. For the 10$ or less in fluid it will cost you I bleed fluid every time I do brakes. Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2 I have noticed a higher pedal pressure and more responsive braking. I'm a bit annoyed with myself for leaving it so long. I think the problem is that cars are so much better made these day's, so you feel that you don't have to get out every weekend and work on them like you had to in the 60 and 70s. Back then you had no choice, it was a case of no work, no go. Thank god those days are over with. I can remember having to go outside on a freezing cold day and having to take out and clean eight plugs on my old Pontiac Parisisenne, and I've lost count of how many times I have had to take out and rebuild the monster starter. The starters on cars these days seem to last forever, then again they don't have to do the work the old one's had to. Oh the good old days, not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mailman Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 I wonder what mine looks like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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