Brake fluid change?

[garyemunson]

Does anyone here actually follow Ford's recommendation to replace brake fluid every 2 years in an F53 chassis? For decades I've been using synthetic fluid and changing every 4 years. At that interval, the fluid is just beginning to change to an orange color. I doubt at 2 years you'd see any change. I've followed the 4 year time in all my vehicles for many years and have never had to replace a caliper/wheel cylinder/master cylinder/ ABS module. Different mfgs are all over the place with change intervals, our Caddy even calls for 10 years! I'd NEVER leave fluid in a vehicle that long. Any thoughts?

[RLS7201]

All brake fluid is synthetic.
Brake fluid will absorb moisture over time and reduce the boiling point. Because our MH brakes work hard we want to maintain a high boiling point for safety reasons.
Yes, I change my brake fluid every two years.

Richard

[ksg5000]

ktmrfs wrote:
As to when to change, back in 60's and 70's when reservoirs were more open to air, even in 2 years fluid could have lots of water and junk in it. By the 90's the reservoir systems became much more enclosed and fluid didn't degrade near as much. I still pressure bleed every 2 years, but the fluid looks almost new.

Yep. Brake fluid change is cheap and having brake issues when your one the road is a real PIA.

[goff1256]

My theory is more maintenance less repair I also use speed bleeder which makes the process very simple

[EV2]

Lwiddis wrote:
And your post caused me to check. GM’s recommendation is no fluid replacement necessary until somewhere after 240,000 miles on my 2029 Chevy 1500 LTZ Z71.

Good to know the progress made 10 years in the future!

[ktmrfs]

Home Skillet wrote:
Synthetic fluid is actually not the preferred fluid to use.
It doesn't absorb moisture, this allows water pockets to form in the brake lines. Which will lead to the lines rusting and eventually failing.

DOT 5 (silcone) yes water doesn't absorb, DOT 3, DOT 4, or DOT 5.1 synthetic fluids, pure BS. these fluids do NOT allow water pockets to form, ALL 3 are very hydroscopic and water will imulsify in the fluid. End result is lower boiling point.

As to when to change, back in 60's and 70's when reservoirs were more open to air, even in 2 years fluid could have lots of water and junk in it. By the 90's the reservoir systems became much more enclosed and fluid didn't degrade near as much. I still pressure bleed every 2 years, but the fluid looks almost new.

[DFord]

You're going to pick up a lot less moisture in your brakefluid in Reno, NV than what I've experienced in the St Louis area where the wet bulb temperature in the summer is close to 80 degrees making the misery index shot off the charts. Best to follow the prescribed maintenance schedules.

[Lwiddis]

And your post caused me to check. GM’s recommendation is no fluid replacement necessary until somewhere after 240,000 miles on my 2029 Chevy 1500 LTZ Z71.

[Lwiddis]

“Does anyone here actually follow Ford's recommendation(s)...”

Nope. But I follow GM’s. IMO you should too.

[ScottG]

You can use a cheap tool like this one: link to verify it's state but you will be surpised how quickly brake fluid goes bad.
I change mine once a year.

[Chum_lee]

"Does anyone here actually follow Ford's recommendation to replace brake fluid every 2 years in an F53 chassis?"

I do. Use the correct fluid and change it according to the scheduled interval. It's that simple. Some leeway can be given if you live/drive in mostly dry climates.

"At that interval, the fluid is just beginning to change to an orange color."

What makes you think that the color of the fluid is a reliable indicator of the brake fluids suitability for use?

Ever price an ABS unit? You've got at least an 18,000 lb. vehicle. Have you ever seen the damage it will do to a stopped little 2000 lb. Honda car, and its occupant(s), when you hit it from behind at 60 miles per hour? (brakes fade/fail due to vapor lock from too much moisture in the fluid) It's your vehicle, your decision, . . . . . enough said.

Chum lee

[Home_Skillet]

Synthetic fluid is actually not the preferred fluid to use.
It doesn't absorb moisture, this allows water pockets to form in the brake lines. Which will lead to the lines rusting and eventually failing.

[ksg5000]

Not sure what the OEM specs are but I have learned that inspecting the brake fluid every couple of years is good insurance to avoid problems on the road. Frequency of change maybe more to do with frequency of RV use than number of miles. Just my O2.

[agesilaus]

That Caddy probably puts a lot less stress on their brakes than a tow vehicle. How are you draining the old fluid out?