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How Often Should you Change Brake Fluid

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: January 16, 2017
How Often Should you Change Brake Fluid

The brake fluid is a fundamental part of a vehicle's braking system. It is essential that it stays in perfect condition and at the optimum level for the car to brake properly in any given situation on the road. For safety reasons and to drive responsibly, it is important to know about how often it should be replaced. Find out all the details in the following OneHowTo article, in which we answer the question on how often you should change brake fluid.

You may also be interested in: How to Change a Drive Belt

Contents

  1. How many miles before I need to change the brake fluid
  2. Why is it important to check the brake fluid
  3. How to change the brake fluid

How many miles before I need to change the brake fluid

Many experts point out that it is generally necessary to change the brake fluid every 25,000 miles (40.000 kilometers approx.) or two years. Still, they also agree that it should be the manufacturer who tells us the exact period after which the replacement must be carried out, and that the state of the brake fluid should be reviewed each time the car is taken in for maintenance or repair.

Note that this is a very important task which should not be overlooked, as a drop in the liquid level will hinder the normal braking mechanism in the vehicle and put your safety on the road at risk.

How Often Should you Change Brake Fluid - How many miles before I need to change the brake fluid

Why is it important to check the brake fluid

Brake fluid always works at very high temperatures in the hydraulic brake system of the car, and it also has the ability to absorb moisture. However, when excessive moisture accumulates in the liquid, it ends up turning into droplets that can boil and form bubbles of vapour. This will stop the brakes from working, which is why it is so important to check the brake fluid regularly.

Furthermore, as brake fluid absorbs moisture it becomes less resistant to heat and corrosion, which can impair the proper functioning of the braking system in the car.

How to change the brake fluid

Now you know how often you should change brake fluid, but remember that it is best to take the car to a garage so that they can check it, as they have special tools for measuring the moisture in the brake fluid. However you can do this task yourself, provided that you take great care to protect yourself properly as brake fluid is a very corrosive liquid.

Next find out why your car is jerking, why does the steering wheel vibrate and many more useful car advice in OneHowTo.com.

If you want to read similar articles to How Often Should you Change Brake Fluid, we recommend you visit our Car Maintenance and Repair category.

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Michael Hilger
This has been very helpful. I didn't know that I needed to change my brake fluid.
Carine Morey
Car brakes are there to measure the speed and force of brake application. It is to determine whether the driver is attempting an emergency stop. We must change car brake fluid every year. I am sharing some views of mine for changing the car brake fluid. First open the car hood then look for the master cylinder and check for the fluid level in the reservoir. Add brake fluid if required otherwise replace the reservoir cap and close the hood. We can check the brake fluid by dip a chemical test strip into that fluid.
OneHowTo Editor
Thank you for such a helpful comment.

Regards
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How Often Should you Change Brake Fluid