Just when you thought there was an automotive issue that we hadn’t covered here at Avondale Nissan, a person came to our service department with a question. “Do I need to change my brake fluid?” Wow, good question. It’s not something we generally encounter in our service bay, and it’s also something that isn’t much discussed in the automotive world at large. So we did a little homework, asked around our service department, and here’s what we can tell you about the oft-ignored subject of brake fluid.
So, what the heck is brake fluid? Like pretty much every automotive component, brakes need fluid too. In hydraulic systems, when a driver presses on the brake pedal, the brake fluid transfers force to the brake hub to help stop the car. As you well know, stopping a car produces a large amount of friction, so brake fluid delivers lubrication to all of the braking components as well. During the process of slowing and stopping, it’s basically a fail-safe against overheating. Put all together, pretty important.
Then why does it break down? If you’ve ever added brake fluid yourself, then you know that the seal seems pretty tight. As expected, it’s kept in a sealed compartment, but moisture will sometimes seep in if the seal breaks. When moisture enters the brake fluid, it breaks down crucial compounds that keep its boiling point high, gradually reducing the boiling point of the brake fluid. Once the fluid’s boiling point becomes similar to the temperature that is generated by all of the braking friction, you’re going to have a problem on your hands.
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So when should it be replaced? See, that’s the thing. Many domestic automakers mostly disregard the brake fluid question, suggesting wild numbers like “every 10 years” or “every 150,000 miles.” Who still has the car they bought new for that long, and who has any idea what was done at every mechanic visit in the meantime?
That’s why we suggest a more democratic approach: next time you’re at Avondale Nissan, just ask your service tech to look at your brake fluid reservoir. Have him or her make certain that the seal is good, and that the fluid looks as though it hasn’t been compromised. Won’t take more than a few minutes, and it will only cost a few bucks.
We hope to see you soon at Avondale Nissan, and let us know if you need help with your brakes in any way!