-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
How to perform brake fluid health check?
- Thread starter notsure11
- Start date
Drier air would mean longer brake fluid lifetime, while high humidity would mean shorter brake fluid lifetime. But the only way to really know how much water is getting into the brake fluid is to test it periodically. Of course, then you would also need to know or guess what the threshold should be to change it.
smatthew
Active Member
Don't worry. I don't ever plan on selling this Model 3. BTW - used a brake fluid checker, and my fluid is at 1% moisture.... so I'm good.....
But thanks for the attempted burn.
BTW: WTF is "smathew". Because there are two T's in "smatthew".
Anything special with regard to the ABS module regarding the brake bleeding procedure or just open each corner and watch the reservoir level?
I don’t bother testing the fluid, just do a brake fluid flush/exchange ever other spring when I switch from winter to summer tires. I can do all 4 vehicles tire swap and brake fluid in ~2hrs with a floor Jack one of my teens helping in our garage. I use this pressure bleeder and have the Lexus, Subaru, MB, and tesla (GM) attachments.
Attachments
RayK
Active Member
Why Should I Flush My Brake Fluid? | BMW of Grapevine
Read the latest blog post from BMW of Grapevine : Why Should I Flush My Brake Fluid?
www.bmwofgrapevine.com
android04
Active Member
My plan is just to bleed the brakes on my Model 3 every 2 years. It's easy with the Motive Products brake bleeder kit. Any older fluid in the ABS module eventually gets flushed out that way.
The alternative is to pay to get access to Toolbox 3 and use the script to activate the ABS module to work out the older fluid.
RayK
Active Member
Why Should I Flush My Brake Fluid? | BMW of Grapevine
Read the latest blog post from BMW of Grapevine : Why Should I Flush My Brake Fluid?
roblab
Active Member
No more than we actually USE the brakes, I wouldn't worry for at least 100,000 miles or later. At least I didn't. Never a problem.
It was voice to text...let me guess school teacher?
Last edited:
RayK
Active Member
Nope. Retired test engineer.
So you said B W M ?
edit: Note: this is mostly a rhetorical question. I understand the typos made (caused) by texting autocorrect but I've never encountered character transposition with any voice-to-text application.
Last edited:
Knightshade
Well-Known Member
You need to change brake fluid more often than that, regardless of how much you use the brakes.
Brake fluid takes on water just by existing, it's hygroscopic. Just leave it parked for a couple years and it'll have water in it.
Lucas007
Member
smatthew
Active Member
Yup. I use my brake fluid checker, and the moisture level still checks out as fine.
Tesla vehicles use the brakes much less than ICE vehicles. Less brake usage and less total wear contribute to less air exchange and thus less moisture infiltration.
Msjulie
Active Member
For the price of brake fluid and friend's time to press the pedal (or a bleeder like above) it was worth it to me to flush out the system. It was at the 3 year mark, the fluid was looking darker vs the near clear new stuff and I felt better about doing the job.
Regardless of being an EV it's still just a hydraulic system; I'm curious @smatthew how less use is letting less air/moisture in since supposedly it's tiny exchange in the rubber lines etc.
In any case, since this care requires so little maintenance, it forced me to at least look around a bit at cv joint boots, calipers, etc like I used to do every ICE car oil change.
Regardless of being an EV it's still just a hydraulic system; I'm curious @smatthew how less use is letting less air/moisture in since supposedly it's tiny exchange in the rubber lines etc.
In any case, since this care requires so little maintenance, it forced me to at least look around a bit at cv joint boots, calipers, etc like I used to do every ICE car oil change.
If you're tracking the car the requirement is flushing the brakes within the last 12 months. There's a big difference in brake temps between performance driving and street driving and moisture content becomes very important. Maybe BMW were being a bit overzealous, but they do market themselves as a more performance oriented brand.
The power bleeder is hands down in the top 5 best investments I've made in a tool. If you're doing brakes yourself, I would consider this an absolute must have.
CharleyBC
Active Member
We're approaching 4 years with our Model 3, and I want to check the brake fluid. Good conversation above. Now the simple practical question: where do I check the fluid?
Also, does anyone know what Tesla does if you ask them to do it? Just moisture content, or also the copper check?
Also, does anyone know what Tesla does if you ask them to do it? Just moisture content, or also the copper check?
Msjulie
Active Member
You have to pull a cover to see the tank, personally I'd just flush the system but I think the word 'check' here is probably referring to level and color?
Similar threads
