Brake fluid change?

GDS-3950BH wrote:


I have had more than a few different trucks since the 90's that had ABS,at least 10 without thinking too hard, and despite not ever changing brake fluid I have never replaced an ABS unit. I have also never had to replace a caliper, wheel cylinder or master cylinder. I never lost my brakes while driving down the road other than when the 2001 popped a line at 260,000 miles. I still was able to stop. I guess I'm living dangerously and will continue doing so, maybe its just blind luck.

I have electric over hydraulic brakes on one of my trailers. I let it go 5 years and never changed the fluid. One day before a trip I was checking the brakes and the pump unit stopped working. Low and behold, after taking the unit apart, the fluid had gotten moisture in it and seized the pump. $800 later, had to buy a new unit. All it would have taken was around 30 minutes to flush the fluid and it would have saved me $800!

My Lexus GS300 has an ABS unit with a pump. Replacements are over $2K. I follow Lexus's recommendation to change the fluid every 3 years.

Interesting hearing people that brag about skipping recommended maintenance! Seems like a weird thing to brag about!