Brake Fluid Help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

sodapop · 09-18-2013, 04:22 PM

This is not about my Camaro or maybe it is. My wifes car is an 08 e350 benz with 36,700 miles. Mb says I need to change my brake fluid. I laughed but then started investigating. The manual says every 24 mos.The guys on the mb forum say yes because Fla. is humid and it can rust your components if you don't because of water in the system. No where in the Camaro manual does it say to do this. I'm 69 and I have never changed brake in my life on any car and there has been a bunch. What do all you mechanics out there say. Are they blowing smoke or should I do it?

90503 · 09-18-2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sodapop

This is not about my Camaro or maybe it is. My wifes car is an 08 e350 benz with 36,700 miles. Mb says I need to change my brake fluid. I laughed but then started investigating. The manual says every 24 mos.The guys on the mb forum say yes because Fla. is humid and it can rust your components if you don't because of water in the system. No where in the Camaro manual does it say to do this. I'm 69 and I have never changed brake in my life on any car and there has been a bunch. What do all you mechanics out there say. Are they blowing smoke or should I do it?

They are right...do it....moisture is the problem....and it's relatively an easy maintenance item...I'm no mechanic, but brake fluid has gotten more "environmentally friendly" (code for not as good as the old stuff)....and with disc brakes, there's no need to bleed them for a pad change like old drums and wheel cylinders...good luck...

Synner · 09-18-2013, 04:50 PM

Brake fluid absorbs moisture and reduces its effective boiling point thus degrading braking performance. It also leads to rusted lines and frozen pistons. Will it be a problem under 100k miles? Probably not. But the older it gets the more likely to have issues. And a fluid change is far cheaper than Mercedes parts prices. Although paying their labor rate isn't much better.

sodapop · 09-18-2013, 04:52 PM

Thanks guys. I guess I'll do it.

BlueSteele · 09-19-2013, 11:16 AM

Yes. The fluid is hygroscopic (moisture absorbing). When the fluid is "tea colored" it's time to change it.

JohnnyBfromPeoria · 09-19-2013, 11:20 AM

Just as a matter of principle, I regularly flush the brake fluid on my 4WD vehicles directly because of the hygroscopic properties of the fluid itself. I flog those trucks through all kinds of water and the last thing I need is no brakes on a steep downhill. Very cheap insurance.

John B.

menendez1293 · 09-19-2013, 11:20 AM

Yea brake fluid is like a sponge. In all honestly you can probably go every 4 years in florida with the same brake fluid without issues. I haven't changed mine yet but that is on my list of things to do during the winter months.

Just be sure when you change it to not get any on your paint. The fluid will eat at your paint and ruin it.

sodapop · 09-19-2013, 03:46 PM

Thanks for all the replies. You sold me so I'll do it. Thanks again!

Piccione Performance · 09-20-2013, 01:48 PM

We recommend to all of our clients every 2 years and we're in a dry climate. Fluid still comes out nasty. With todays modern electronics and nannies such as abs and stability control its important to keep clean fluid in the system to prevent premature component failure.
All the German manufactures and a lot of you high line cars with the more sophisticated systems are now recommending every 2 years.
Our clients who track there cars regularly we recommend yearly.

09-18-2013, 04:22 PM	#1
sodapop Drives: 2011 2SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: new port richey, fl Posts: 52	Brake Fluid Help This is not about my Camaro or maybe it is. My wifes car is an 08 e350 benz with 36,700 miles. Mb says I need to change my brake fluid. I laughed but then started investigating. The manual says every 24 mos.The guys on the mb forum say yes because Fla. is humid and it can rust your components if you don't because of water in the system. No where in the Camaro manual does it say to do this. I'm 69 and I have never changed brake in my life on any car and there has been a bunch. What do all you mechanics out there say. Are they blowing smoke or should I do it?

09-19-2013, 11:16 AM	#5
BlueSteele Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 611	Yes. The fluid is hygroscopic (moisture absorbing). When the fluid is "tea colored" it's time to change it. __________________

09-19-2013, 11:20 AM	#6
JohnnyBfromPeoria Drives: 2012 LS M6, Black Join Date: May 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,045	Just as a matter of principle, I regularly flush the brake fluid on my 4WD vehicles directly because of the hygroscopic properties of the fluid itself. I flog those trucks through all kinds of water and the last thing I need is no brakes on a steep downhill. Very cheap insurance. John B. __________________ 12 LS M6, IPF S/C, ASA GT-5 wheels, VMax PTB 1995 Mitsubishi Montero SR 1987 Dodge Raider Turbo Project 1986 Mitsubishi Montero 2.4l FI Transplant

09-18-2013, 04:50 PM	#3
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,542	Brake fluid absorbs moisture and reduces its effective boiling point thus degrading braking performance. It also leads to rusted lines and frozen pistons. Will it be a problem under 100k miles? Probably not. But the older it gets the more likely to have issues. And a fluid change is far cheaper than Mercedes parts prices. Although paying their labor rate isn't much better.

09-18-2013, 04:52 PM	#4
sodapop Drives: 2011 2SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: new port richey, fl Posts: 52	Thanks guys. I guess I'll do it.

09-19-2013, 11:20 AM	#7
menendez1293 Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT/RS M6 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 9,686 View My Garage	Yea brake fluid is like a sponge. In all honestly you can probably go every 4 years in florida with the same brake fluid without issues. I haven't changed mine yet but that is on my list of things to do during the winter months. Just be sure when you change it to not get any on your paint. The fluid will eat at your paint and ruin it.

09-19-2013, 03:46 PM	#8
sodapop Drives: 2011 2SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: new port richey, fl Posts: 52	Thanks for all the replies. You sold me so I'll do it. Thanks again!

09-20-2013, 01:48 PM	#9
Piccione Performance Drives: 2010 2ss/rs & 2014 Stingray Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Phoenix Posts: 121	We recommend to all of our clients every 2 years and we're in a dry climate. Fluid still comes out nasty. With todays modern electronics and nannies such as abs and stability control its important to keep clean fluid in the system to prevent premature component failure. All the German manufactures and a lot of you high line cars with the more sophisticated systems are now recommending every 2 years. Our clients who track there cars regularly we recommend yearly.