Brake fluid service while pads are fine?

My dealership is recommending brake fluid service (50K miles). I have heard of this when new pads are installed but mine are far from gone. Thoughts??
BC

 

It's just a fluid flush right?

 

Brake fluid is always over looked. Brake fluid absorbs water, therefore it need to be changed out. How much do they want for this service?

 

I did not ask. I was in a hurry.
Will inquire.

 

some dealer don't even do a full flush, they just change brake fluid inside the reservoir

 

Get one of those brake bleeder containers with a one way valve and you can do all 4 yourself in 30 min with most of that time spent crawling under the truck to move the container. Will probably take 3 or 4 quarts or so depending on how thorough you want to flush it.

 

Brake fluid is typically every 2-3 years.

 

They are just after your money. Then only time I have changed it is when replacing a master cylinder or bleeding brakes after pad replacement.

 

Should replace brake fluid every two years, doesn't matter the milage. Usually the reason you get a stuck caliper is due to the brake fluid never being changed. Using a mighty vac, its pretty easy, theres also an app on techstream you can use to make sure they are bled properly afterwards.

 

Thanks. I have never in over 50 years of driving had this done unless the MC was replaced. It can't hurt other than my bank account, however. Had one stuck caliper on a Mercury that was seldom driven.

 

I agree don't do it unless replacing master cylinder. You bleed yourself and pump the master cylinder dry now you have a real headache. Devil in the details.

 

These may help for the DIY
http://www.speedbleeder.com/

 

What does the owners manual say? I was told the new synthetic fluid used does not need to be changed as often but guess it can't hurt.

 

My 2016 Owners manual says check and adjust...

 

Recommended interval regardless of mileage is two years. Do most people do that? Of course not. Will it effect your braking performance if you don't change it? Most likely not. What it will do is collect moisture over time that will eventually require you to replace things like calipers. Brake fluid is cheap and rather simple to do with a tool like a MityVac. I neglected to change rear brake fluid on a motorcycle for probably 15 years and the brakes still worked but the fluid collected tons of crap and was dark brown. Suzuki actually had a recall once because neglecting to change the brake fluid would eventually cause corrosion in the master cylinder and produce the safety hazard.

 

I’m still on my factory fill but it is my next maintenance item. Probably get to it next month.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-maintenance-guide.315/

• Replace brake fluid every 2 to 3 years or 24,000 - 36,000 miles.

 

Put it on my list. My only concern is frozen bleeders .....

 

Better than replacing calipers and rusted brake lines. Easy to do

 

Because DOT 3 and 4 attract water and the brake circuit is not completely sealed, you’ll eventually rust out the steel brake lines.

Flushing is a good idea, and I’d think that every couple of years is fine.

I have a vehicle from 1960, and I 3 years ago changed out the soft lines and MC. At the same time, I totally bled the system and then flushed and filled with DOT 5. DOT 5 does not attract water.

I have had no issues whatsoever.

Has anyone done DOT 5 in a tundra?

 

DOT 5 is not compatible with DOT 3 or 4 systems. DOT 5.1 can be used with 3 or 4, but DOT 4 and 5.1 attract more water than DOT 3 and you don't need the higher boiling point of 4 or 5.1 in a Tundra.

 

Hold on- help me understand…

I know that you can’t add DOT 5 to a DOT 3 or 4 system while the system still has residual 3 or 4 fluid present.

but if you replace the MC, soft lines, etc…, and then fully flush the system with 5, then how is there an incompatibility?

 

DOT 5 can not be used in ABS systems.

 

This is definitely true, brake fluid doesnt really circulate much so even if the reservoir looks clear the fluid in the lines could be pretty dirty. Its not much more work to just flush the whole system while you're at it though if you're doing it yourself, only takes about 2 quarts.

 

DOT 5 is popular in classic cars because it doesn't eat paint..but I believe that is it's only advantage. Supposedly it sucks and racing guys don't use it for the same reason it is not used in ABS systems. It has a tendency to create bubbles. I was considering it for my vintage car project so I did some research.

 

Track racing have to abs delete.

 

It takes longer to drive literally anywhere than to flush the fluid yourself with someone helping. You just need a hose and a container and bottle or two of fluid. Crack the bleeder, have someone pump the brakes a handful of times, refill resi, rotate around. Takes maybe 15 minutes.

 

How do you guys dispose of brake fluid? Part of the reason why I pay people is because I never know what to do with the chemicals....and no I'm not going to dump it in my backyard. I have well water.

 

You put the old fluid in the container it came it and return it to where you bought it. I just returned 5 jugs of oil at Walmart and bought another 5. You just go up to the service desk and theres usually a blue metal box you put them in. Almost anywhere that sells oil will take it back. Obviously dont dump it in your backyard, even if you didnt have well water. Considering its free to dispose of the right way.