Question About Brake Fluid Condition

[komichal]

If you are not sure about the last date when the brake fluid has been change, I would suggest it is about time to change it or have it changed.
Not only the brake fluid absorbs water over time (which makes it dangerous in case of intensive breaking - water boils - pedal softens - cars does not break) but there are also particles of worn-out hoses in it that may potentially clog the brake lines.
It is one of the cheapest operations in the whole car maintenance (even if performed by certified Toyota car service) yet one of the most important in terms of security.
Just make sure it really is changed properly (not just sucking the reservoir out and filling it in but also opening all valves for all wheels+clutch and bleeding out the old fluid).
Once done you can forget about the brake fluid for 2-3 years (the generic recommendation is to change it yearly, however my fluid after 3 years is in perfect shape, both visually and water-meter-wise.

[dave mac]

ok Komichal, yes better safe than sorry & brake fluid is cheap. Thanks for the reply! veselé Vánoce. David-

[06YarisRS]

Originally Posted by komichal

If you are not sure about the last date when the brake fluid has been change, I would suggest it is about time to change it or have it changed.
Not only the brake fluid absorbs water over time (which makes it dangerous in case of intensive breaking - water boils - pedal softens - cars does not break) but there are also particles of worn-out hoses in it that may potentially clog the brake lines.
It is one of the cheapest operations in the whole car maintenance (even if performed by certified Toyota car service) yet one of the most important in terms of security.
Just make sure it really is changed properly (not just sucking the reservoir out and filling it in but also opening all valves for all wheels+clutch and bleeding out the old fluid).
Once done you can forget about the brake fluid for 2-3 years (the generic recommendation is to change it yearly, however my fluid after 3 years is in perfect shape, both visually and water-meter-wise.

I do a full bleed to all my vehicles about every 18 - 24 months. I haven't done my 2008 yet but tested the fluid with one of the testers linked above. More on the tester in a sec... I had less than 1% water in the brake fluid and it's crystal clear, so might go a bit longer. I can't definitively say if the fluid was ever changed out, but suspect it has been given its condition.

Re: brake fluid tester - they work great but the case is very cheaply made. At least the one I bought was and the end broke off it within a couple of weeks. The plastic is extremely thin. That said, I think I only paid a few bucks for it. There are no doubt better quality ones available.