Brake fluid reservoir empty
 

Is there a trick to getting the brake fluid out of the reservoir?
A turkey baster just reaches the top 20%.

Your best bet it to slowly pour the new fluid in the reservoir, the new fluid should float on top of the old fluid, so when you do bleed the brakes you'll get 99% of the old fluid out.

If you do it every year with quality brake fluid, you'll be fine.

I have never heard that new fluid floats on old fluid.


If they are the same chemical, why should it?

I've wondered the same thing as well.

Brake fluid is hydrophobic, perhaps the older brake fluid which would have a higher content of water, allows newer brake fluid to float on top of it. I'm not stating so much that old brake fluid and new brake fluid always remain separate, but when bleeding brakes, new brake fluid slowly poured on top of the old tends to stay put. It has worked for me.

Also all brake fluid are created without different mixtures, compounds, etc.

I have no idea if this is right, just a guess.

Once the new fluid in the reservoir is drawn into the lines by bleeding, I don't believe a whole lot of mixing occurs.

I just kept adding new fluid as I flushed the old fluid out. I used a clear vinyl tube and container so I could see as soon as the new fluid started to pump out. The difference between old fluid and new fluid is night and day.

Also don't forget to bleed them in the proper order to ensure you get all the old fluid/air out.

BTW I believe brake fluid up to DOT 4 is hydrophilic. Glycol based compounds mix with water readily. Don't use DOT 5.

Or what?^

or you die.

^^can't argue with that logic.

Google it.

they USED to sell the ATE BF in gold and blue.
That way you could altrernate colors and bleed until the color changes.

Now they supposedly cant sell the blue in the US anymore because techs were pouring it in the Windshield washer resivoir.
Glad I bought 3 quarts of it while you still could.