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Post by chippie on Sept 2, 2015 10:24:37 GMT 1
My daughters 63 plate Corsa has covered approx 14k.....due a service this month, year two. Just had an email from the Vaux dealer saying it needs its brake fluid changing.... What absolute bollox....Surely this stuff is good for 4 years? Theyre 'aving a laff..... So if it does need changing, is this a straightforward job? Looking at Commas website they reckon change it.....Guess I got another job to do when it needs servicing....  Any thoughts? |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 11:07:07 GMT 1
I suppose that would depend on what type of brake fluid is now used on the later Vauxhall's?
2011 on-wards - it's not DOT 4, 5 is it?
The early DOT fluid was recommended to be changed every two years as it goes hydroscopic, but the later stuff may be better!!
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Post by studabear on Sept 2, 2015 11:14:18 GMT 1
Probably will last longer than 2 years, but the manufacturers recommend every 2 years. We have a tester at work that we can find the boiling point of the fluid and a lot of cars that we see that have clearly exceeded 2 years still meet the minimum boiling point of 155degrees for dot4 fluid.
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rpm
Apprentice
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Post by rpm on Sept 2, 2015 11:47:12 GMT 1
Basically its an upsell, good little money earner because nobody wants their brakes to fail with the kids in the back !
But, when have you EVER heard of brakes failing due to old brake fluid?
There are cars on the road from the 60's that have probably still got the fluid in from then and the brakes still work?
Although newer brakes work harder? (they still stop the car, but its easier for cars to reach higher speeds quicker and need repeated stops) the newer fluid, even after 2 years and its technical performance has tailed off is still capable of working at higher temperatures than the older fluids. I need to look up a spec chart to prove this, and not got time at present, but the info is available .
But, its an easy job, so why not change it anyway?
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Post by studabear on Sept 2, 2015 12:42:04 GMT 1
Easy job as long as you don't need a pressure bleeder and appropriate scan tool if the abs pump needs activating during the process.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 12:49:49 GMT 1
Boiling point of later DOT fluids, isn't it around the 180 degrees mark nowadays? I remember my old Mk11 Capri with the twin piston front calipers, the brake pads were worn down to the metal (I didn't realize at the time) until noise was present and the brakes operated so hot that the foot brake went to the floor, I didn't know it back in them days, but travelling water in the hydraulics lowered the boiling point and the water vapor caused my brakes to malfunction and I lost complete brake pedal effort, my heart sunk at the time but then the pedal returned to normal. It's always good practice to adhere to the vehicle manufacturer recommendations if you have them, can save you getting the short straw  |
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Post by studabear on Sept 2, 2015 12:55:05 GMT 1
Fresh dot4 tests around 230-240degrees from memory.
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Post by chippie on Sept 2, 2015 15:05:45 GMT 1
Cheers for the comments fellas. Was gonna do it myself but
I think it may need Tech2 to activate the abs (unless I can use my Opcom interface...?)
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Post by Rhubarb on Sept 2, 2015 19:16:44 GMT 1
I've tested brand new fluid in the past(still in the bottle) and it's not met the minimum!  |
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Post by wheelnut on Sept 2, 2015 20:23:19 GMT 1
2011 on-wards - it's not DOT 4, 5 is it? Carefull there... DOT 5 is silicone brake fluid and there is some debate about its merits. If you want higher that DOT 4 you have to go to DOT 5.1. VW and BMW seem now to be recommending three years for the first change and every two years after that. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 20:57:12 GMT 1
Anybody know what the RED brake fluid type is that I am seeing in some vehicles!
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Post by chippie on Sept 2, 2015 21:09:41 GMT 1
2011 on-wards - it's not DOT 4, 5 is it? Carefull there... DOT 5 is silicone brake fluid and there is some debate about its merits. If you want higher that DOT 4 you have to go to DOT 5.1. VW and BMW seem now to be recommending three years for the first change and every two years after that. Yes I seem to think my passat isnt due until its 4 yrs old...if I keep it that long... |
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gasmonkey
Tea Maker
At an Oscilloscope near you.
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Post by gasmonkey on Sept 2, 2015 21:13:15 GMT 1
Cheers for the comments fellas. Was gonna do it myself but I think it may need Tech2 to activate the abs (unless I can use my Opcom interface...?) No scan tool needed. Pressure bleeder is prefered, set at 2-2.5 bar. But normal method usually works fine if system hasn't been opened. |
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Post by Joepublic on Sept 2, 2015 21:27:48 GMT 1
 Its not coke honest |
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Post by Karl on Sept 2, 2015 21:27:49 GMT 1
Most manufacturers should/do recommend replacement every 2 years
Some might say over kill or unnecessary
I'd certainly want to change at least every 4 years
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