Brake fluid change

[accord]

In Accord's 03 owners manual and the dealer they recommend break fluid change after first three years regardless the miledge.

The level and colour of the fluid has been consitent in my Accord, the car is slightly over 3 years old/56k km, not under warranty any more (time). I am wondering if I can delay replacing brake fluid, say for a year. Is it going to damage anything in the break system or elseware?

[weedb0y]

In Accord's 03 owners manual and the dealer they recommend break fluid change after first three years regardless the miledge.

The level and colour of the fluid has been consitent in my Accord, the car is slightly over 3 years old/56k km, not under warranty any more (time). I am wondering if I can delay replacing brake fluid, say for a year. Is it going to damage anything in the break system or elseware?

Nope, but its just preventive maintaince. I know mine hasn't been changed for a long time. Thanks for the reminder!

[Pete_Coach]

Many brake fluids are hygroscopic, meaning that they will absorb moisture from the atmosphere. This affects the compressibility of the fluid and will give you a "spongy" brake pedal. Changing the fluid is suggested on all cars after a period of time to ensure good braking.
If your brakes are working fine, then it may not be an issue as the fluid change is a preventative maintenance recommendation. Why would you want to wait a year?

[sunnybono]

In Accord's 03 owners manual and the dealer they recommend break fluid change after first three years regardless the miledge.

The level and colour of the fluid has been consitent in my Accord, the car is slightly over 3 years old/56k km, not under warranty any more (time). I am wondering if I can delay replacing brake fluid, say for a year. Is it going to damage anything in the break system or elseware?

The biggest thing with Brake fluid is not the so much the dirt in it, but the moisture level in it. To flush Honda brakes is quite simple. My HOnda tech would have me sit in the car while up on the hoist and ask me to pump the brakes while he would open all brake bleeder nipples at a time. Then he would refill the reservoir with fresh OEM brake fluid and then perform the procedure one more time until he saw fresh brake fluid pouring out of the bleeder nipple.

Pm if you wish & I will give you his info if you are interested!!!!

sk

P.S. at the same time I would usually get all 4 brakes serviced too.

[Spidey]

Why do people complain about getting maintenance done for their vehicles. You own a vehicle that costs you 10's of thousands of dollars, then you complian when you have to get a $100 item done, then complain when their vehicle breaks down.

Thsi year was a big one for the van, brakes/rotors, transmission flush, brake flush, spark plugs, fuel filter. This morning I have a FI cleaning and a wheel alignment becaue they are due. But then Ill be good for at least 2-3 years. Plus with a trip to Colorado in 4 days Im not going to be stranded on the side of the road with 3 kids.

I may be anal about my vehicles, but Ive never been stranded in the last 18 years, and I can get into any of my vehicle and drive across the country if I wanted, becaue my maintenance and checks are kept up.

What if not getting the brakes flushed cause greater probelms for the future. Then you'll say "i wish I spent the $99 and got it done"

[kleptodathief]

well don't take it to the honda stealerships to get it done...they will RAPE u! any local competent shop can do it for half the price! GL with the fluid change

[TenzoR]

well don't take it to the honda stealerships to get it done...they will RAPE u! any local competent shop can do it for half the price! GL with the fluid change

or do it your self, it isn't that difficult. I'll bet there are lots of resources online

[bunga]

just curious, have you actually gone out and compared the price difference between private shops and so called stealerships? or are you just jumping on the bandwagon?

private shops can rape you just as much if not more than dealerships and you have a hell of a lot less recourse should something go wrong

well don't take it to the honda stealerships to get it done...they will RAPE u! any local competent shop can do it for half the price! GL with the fluid change

[Spidey]

just curious, have you actually gone out and compared the price difference between private shops and so called stealerships? or are you just jumping on the bandwagon?

private shops can rape you just as much if not more than dealerships and you have a hell of a lot less recourse should something go wrong

I spent a month doing that when I first moved to the city, phoning around comparing prices. I found that the dealership actually was cheaper for alot of items compared to some of the other private shops or chains. Its a pontiac montana. I even got my tires at the dealership because they were cheaper than anywhere else including online.

[TrEvOrLiCioUs]

2 Bottles of Brake Fluid and 1/2hr labour is what decent shops charge.

I recommend you do it. Brakes are kind of important dont you think.

[accord]

Many brake fluids are hygroscopic, meaning that they will absorb moisture from the atmosphere. This affects the compressibility of the fluid and will give you a "spongy" brake pedal. Changing the fluid is suggested on all cars after a period of time to ensure good braking.
If your brakes are working fine, then it may not be an issue as the fluid change is a preventative maintenance recommendation. Why would you want to wait a year?

Brakes work fine.
I want to wait for anothere year in order to delay spending $70 on it and thus reducing overall mainteneace cost over the life of the vehicle without jeopardizing its performance.

I believe that dealerships push for (and possibly lobbying manufacturers) for very aggresive maintenance schedule b/cause they make a lot of money on preventive maintenance. They completely lost my trust there after one dealer recommended wheel alignmenet ($145) on my 2 year old vehicle (no curbs were hit, no pulling aside sensation, not uneven tire wear). When I asked them, they could not really explain why they had recommended that. Their expalinantion was "just in case" type of thing.

[accord]

or do it your self, it isn't that difficult. I'll bet there are lots of resources online

Well, I live in condo, DIY will not work for me (people will complain).

[accord]

Why do people complain about getting maintenance done for their vehicles. You own a vehicle that costs you 10's of thousands of dollars, then you complian when you have to get a $100 item done, then complain when their vehicle breaks down."

I did not complain on anything. I just do not like to through my money into dealer pocket without getting any value out of it.

[Pete_Coach]

Brakes work fine.
I want to wait for anothere year in order to delay spending $70 on it and thus reducing overall mainteneace cost over the life of the vehicle without jeopardizing its performance.

I believe that dealerships push for (and possibly lobbying manufacturers) for very aggresive maintenance schedule b/cause they make a lot of money on preventive maintenance. They completely lost my trust there after one dealer recommended wheel alignmenet ($145) on my 2 year old vehicle (no curbs were hit, no pulling aside sensation, not uneven tire wear). When I asked them, they could not really explain why they had recommended that. Their expalinantion was "just in case" type of thing.

That is no problem, you can wait. The maintenance schedule printed in your owners manual is not "aggressive" but designed for the worst case scenario. It has to be. Just looking at some of the advice in these forums explains that.
As for recommendation of a wheel alignment, yep, they tried to "up sell" you and you did the right thing to question them but, that by no means indicates that they tried to screw you over. An "up sell" is a tactic that his used by everyone in the automotive and many other business, (extended warranty for anything you buy). Sell the customer something extra at very little effort to the shop and make more money. Not an exclusive domain of dealerships that is for sure (again, look at the complaints on this forum).
And, finally, you are right not to attempt certain jobs on your own. Unless you know what you are doing, why on earth would you play with something as important and critical as the brakes on your car? DYI'ers can attempt many things but if you ain't an expert, stay away from things, where a small error, could potentially kill you or your family.

[new_vr]

Brakes work fine.
I want to wait for anothere year in order to delay spending $70 on it and thus reducing overall mainteneace cost over the life of the vehicle without jeopardizing its performance.

I believe that dealerships push for (and possibly lobbying manufacturers) for very aggresive maintenance schedule b/cause they make a lot of money on preventive maintenance. They completely lost my trust there after one dealer recommended wheel alignmenet ($145) on my 2 year old vehicle (no curbs were hit, no pulling aside sensation, not uneven tire wear). When I asked them, they could not really explain why they had recommended that. Their expalinantion was "just in case" type of thing.
I don't think this it's a cash grab.
I have been reading up on this, and it sounds like good preventative maintenance, to save money on brake parts (like master cylinders!) down the road.
I know in germany, it's actually law that you need to replace it every three years

[googoo]

"well don't take it to the honda stealerships to get it done...they will RAPE u! any local competent shop can do it for half the price!"

I think I paid $60 for my brake fluid change, just as good as anywhere else + the fact I didn't get dirty, or fluidy:), and I could sit and read the paper, made it all worth it!

Brent

That was at Newmarket Honda.