Brake fluid change - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

guybo · 04-22-2017, 08:24 AM

The book maintenance says to change the brake fluid (flush and fill only I think) at 15k miles. That seems to be a very short interval. Does anyone do this at 15k miles? I asked a service manager at Toyota about this and he shrugged and side to not worry about it

cjd · 04-22-2017, 09:38 AM

Depends heavily on how it is used. I'm at 2x in 15k miles... One was after the bbk install, one this spring (where I mostly needed a bleed but messed up...)

stevesnj · 04-22-2017, 11:02 AM

I'd do it if it says it. If you don't track the car and just daily drive it just flush it with regular fluid otherwise use a higher performance fluid. Flush the clutch slave cylinder while the brakes are being done.

MuseChaser · 04-22-2017, 03:53 PM

My dealer said it was unnecessary @30K miles.. I asked again at 40K, and was told the same thing. I did it anyway. It's cheap insurance. Might as well do it.

N1rve · 04-22-2017, 05:26 PM

You can get one of those brake fluid testers. It tests for moisture. That's the enemy of brake fluid -- moisture. If it reads high, then replace it.

If you feel you must replace it, then replace it. It's your peace of mind. I replaced mine at the 2 year mark just for m own peace of mind. I don't track my car and my fluid was still in good condition when I did it.

zc06_kisstherain · 04-24-2017, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1rve

You can get one of those brake fluid testers. It tests for moisture. That's the enemy of brake fluid -- moisture. If it reads high, then replace it.

If you feel you must replace it, then replace it. It's your peace of mind. I replaced mine at the 2 year mark just for m own peace of mind. I don't track my car and my fluid was still in good condition when I did it.

x 2

i use brake fluid tester to replace it as well. dont feel like wasting my money and time either. yeah if you feel it must then do it.

Ernest72 · 04-24-2017, 09:04 PM

No need to flush all the fluid, just the fluid in the caliper and some of the line. I bleed my brakes every 15k or so. With two people it takes no time at all.

venturaII · 04-25-2017, 08:28 AM

Perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to the 'pump and hold' brake bleeding routine. lol

zc06_kisstherain · 04-25-2017, 05:03 PM

or get bleeder kit. only $20 bux from harbor freight

Gforce · 04-26-2017, 10:16 PM

Brake fluid is changed by age not mileage. Water absorption is the issue. In humid climates flush all brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage. In dry climates three years is ok.

e_lunatic · 08-04-2017, 05:37 PM

as has been said, get the tester and test for moisture.

if it's "wet" or very dirty then change it. otherwise I don't worry about it

LudwigMiles · 08-07-2017, 12:55 AM

You can get away with original brake fluid for years and years.
Most cars probably never ever change it.
But, if you want to work on your car and be a car guy,
then why not learn to do it for $10?
Good chance to learn something new.
Every 2 years is a decent guideline.

WNDSRFR · 08-13-2017, 12:34 PM

I've had at least 20 cars in my life and have never changed the brake fluid. I top it of from time to time. But I have never changed it.
I still have a Mk 4 GTI with the original brake fluid in it. It has 265,000 miles on it. And the brakes are as good as the day I bought it new. (The brake pads have been changed a few times.)

WNDSRFR · 08-13-2017, 01:30 PM

Ya know what?
This got me thinking. I just changed the pads on the FR-S a couple weeks ago and I never even opened the hood to check the brake fluid.
I think I'll go do that right now.

04-22-2017, 08:24 AM	#1
guybo Huge E85 fan! Join Date: May 2016 Drives: 2016 Scion FRS Location: Tampa, FL, USA Posts: 1,850 Thanks: 539 Thanked 1,010 Times in 605 Posts Mentioned: 32 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Brake fluid change The book maintenance says to change the brake fluid (flush and fill only I think) at 15k miles. That seems to be a very short interval. Does anyone do this at 15k miles? I asked a service manager at Toyota about this and he shrugged and side to not worry about it

04-22-2017, 11:02 AM	#3
stevesnj Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2016 FR-S Oceanic Blue Location: Southern NJ Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 2,158 Thanked 1,601 Times in 923 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	I'd do it if it says it. If you don't track the car and just daily drive it just flush it with regular fluid otherwise use a higher performance fluid. Flush the clutch slave cylinder while the brakes are being done. __________________ My 2016 Build thread TRD Exhaust with custom quad tips, TRD Lowering Springs,TRD Quick shifter,LED;DRL, Projectors, and turn signals. Re-badge, 86 Nanny, WinmaxW2 Pads, K&N Drop In, Antenna delete

04-22-2017, 03:53 PM	#4
MuseChaser Feeling like thinking.... Join Date: Oct 2015 Drives: 2013 FR-S Location: CNY Posts: 1,664 Thanks: 1,664 Thanked 2,433 Times in 1,064 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My dealer said it was unnecessary @30K miles.. I asked again at 40K, and was told the same thing. I did it anyway. It's cheap insurance. Might as well do it. __________________ Drive like everyone's life around you depends on it...

04-22-2017, 05:26 PM	#5
N1rve Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2019 BMW ///M4 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 102 Thanked 1,167 Times in 714 Posts Mentioned: 28 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You can get one of those brake fluid testers. It tests for moisture. That's the enemy of brake fluid -- moisture. If it reads high, then replace it. If you feel you must replace it, then replace it. It's your peace of mind. I replaced mine at the 2 year mark just for m own peace of mind. I don't track my car and my fluid was still in good condition when I did it. __________________ N1rve 2019 BMW ///M4 - Alpine White \| Sakhir Orange/Black Leather \| M-DCT \| Executive Package \| 19" Black 437M Wheels \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Sunroof \| Active Blind Spot \| Heated Steering Wheel \| Adaptive M Suspension

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04-24-2017, 09:04 PM	#7
Ernest72 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Drives: 16 Silver BRZ, 04 Silver WRX wagon Location: Rockland county, NY Posts: 1,411 Thanks: 182 Thanked 768 Times in 439 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	No need to flush all the fluid, just the fluid in the caliper and some of the line. I bleed my brakes every 15k or so. With two people it takes no time at all.

04-25-2017, 08:28 AM	#8
venturaII Only users lose drugs. Join Date: Nov 2014 Drives: All the time Location: Shrewsbury upon Worcestershire Posts: 1,818 Thanks: 874 Thanked 1,067 Times in 674 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to the 'pump and hold' brake bleeding routine. lol

04-26-2017, 10:16 PM	#10
Gforce Banned Join Date: Mar 2017 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: Alberta Posts: 519 Thanks: 39 Thanked 161 Times in 109 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Brake fluid is changed by age not mileage. Water absorption is the issue. In humid climates flush all brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage. In dry climates three years is ok.

08-07-2017, 12:55 AM	#12
LudwigMiles Banned Join Date: Jul 2017 Drives: '13 BRZ Location: NY Posts: 232 Thanks: 17 Thanked 53 Times in 28 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You can get away with original brake fluid for years and years. Most cars probably never ever change it. But, if you want to work on your car and be a car guy, then why not learn to do it for $10? Good chance to learn something new. Every 2 years is a decent guideline.

08-13-2017, 12:34 PM	#13
WNDSRFR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: FR-S,GTI Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,155 Thanks: 228 Thanked 823 Times in 419 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I've had at least 20 cars in my life and have never changed the brake fluid. I top it of from time to time. But I have never changed it. I still have a Mk 4 GTI with the original brake fluid in it. It has 265,000 miles on it. And the brakes are as good as the day I bought it new. (The brake pads have been changed a few times.)

08-13-2017, 01:30 PM	#14
WNDSRFR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: FR-S,GTI Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,155 Thanks: 228 Thanked 823 Times in 419 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Ya know what? This got me thinking. I just changed the pads on the FR-S a couple weeks ago and I never even opened the hood to check the brake fluid. I think I'll go do that right now.

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