The brake fluid flush is one of the most frequently overlooked vehicle maintenance services. Many motorists simply do not realize that it is an item that should be on their maintenance list, while others seem skeptical when it is a recommended service. Let’s take a minute to go over why the brake fluid flush is vital to the lifespan of your vehicle.
The primary reason that brake fluid must be flushed at regular intervals is that is it a hygroscopic fluid. This means that it absorbs and maintains fluid. This may seem odd at first, but take into account that many brake system components are made of metal. Moisture is the enemy! By absorbing and retaining moisture that gets into the system, brake fluid helps to prevent moisture relate corrosion.
Even the highest quality brake fluid can only retain so much fluid before it must be flushed and replaced with new fluid. A good general interval is every 1-2 years, but check with the manufacturer’s recommendations for your vehicle.
A simple color test can also be used to determine if your brake fluid is in need of a flush. New brake fluid is clear with a slight yellow hue, but brake fluid that has served a useful will be deep amber in color. If the fluid is amber, take it to your local Auto-Lab for a brake fluid flush.