powersurge
Well-known member
I've said it in a previous post, and will repeat it. Brake fluid is part of a hydraulic system which exerts thousands of pounds per square inch (psi). You trust YOUR LIFE to the fact the car will stop when you need to.
The main quality of brake fluid is that it ABSORBS water like a sponge. You should change it about every 4 years..... No questions.
Since it will eventually contain water, it will 1) eventually rust and contaminate (I'm talking thick, hard crud) the interior hoses, calipers, and master cylinder. 2) When the car is braking, the heat of the friction heats the brake fluid, and the water could make the fluid "boil", not good. If you change it regularly, you will never have to change any brake items except pads....
A telltale sign of the brake fluid needing change is when it starts to get "dark", "brown", or in the case of my Honda.... "Green". new brake fluid is clear like water. Brake fluid change is not complicated or difficult procedure, and it is so easy that one person can do it. The basic idea is that you drain out the old fluid from each wheel, while continuing to add new fluid in the engine compartment "master cylinder" (just thought of Felix the Cat! hee hee,,,,). Cost is about $10 in NEW brake fluid, and the tools (wrench and hand vacuum pump to suction out the fluid.... You can also use a partner to pump the brake pedal when needed for free.). OR you can bring it to a mechanic who can do it for under $100 dollars, which is a bargain....
The Leaf is such a low maintenance vehicle...... Don't be a cheap ass and complain about this service.... And also.... You do not NEED to change the cabin air filter... If you are a smoker, then you should every couple of years...
The main quality of brake fluid is that it ABSORBS water like a sponge. You should change it about every 4 years..... No questions.
Since it will eventually contain water, it will 1) eventually rust and contaminate (I'm talking thick, hard crud) the interior hoses, calipers, and master cylinder. 2) When the car is braking, the heat of the friction heats the brake fluid, and the water could make the fluid "boil", not good. If you change it regularly, you will never have to change any brake items except pads....
A telltale sign of the brake fluid needing change is when it starts to get "dark", "brown", or in the case of my Honda.... "Green". new brake fluid is clear like water. Brake fluid change is not complicated or difficult procedure, and it is so easy that one person can do it. The basic idea is that you drain out the old fluid from each wheel, while continuing to add new fluid in the engine compartment "master cylinder" (just thought of Felix the Cat! hee hee,,,,). Cost is about $10 in NEW brake fluid, and the tools (wrench and hand vacuum pump to suction out the fluid.... You can also use a partner to pump the brake pedal when needed for free.). OR you can bring it to a mechanic who can do it for under $100 dollars, which is a bargain....
The Leaf is such a low maintenance vehicle...... Don't be a cheap ass and complain about this service.... And also.... You do not NEED to change the cabin air filter... If you are a smoker, then you should every couple of years...