20,000 mile serice - brake fluid change?

[Emm]

I’ve booked my Cupra in at the dealership for it’s 2nd year service this weekend.

I was told it would have a 20k miles inspection service, the pollen filter replaced plus the brake fluid changed.

On looking in the service book (page 14) under additional work, the pollen filter should be replaced every 2 years, but the first brake fluid change needs doing only after 3 years (or 125k miles), then every 2 years.

Surely based on the above I can defer the fluid change until next year?

 

[alx_chung]

Its recommended that the Brake fluid is changed after every 2 years. I got mines done at the 20K service as well and have to admit the brakes are working a lot better than they were. I would just get it done.
There have been a few posts about this before.
Alex

 

[Nath.]

If you're skint, argue the toss. if you crash the car cos the brakes are a bit spongy don't blame us.

 

[Emm]

Its recommended that the Brake fluid is changed after every 2 years. I got mines done at the 20K service as well and have to admit the brakes are working a lot better than they were. I would just get it done.
There have been a few posts about this before.
Alex

Thanks for the reply Alex

Just curious over the discrepancy that dealerships are saying every 2 years and the maintenance programme book states brake fluid replacement after 3 years (or 125k miles), and then every 2 years after that.

 

[Adam's Cupra]

Its recommended that the Brake fluid is changed after every 2 years. I got mines done at the 20K service as well and have to admit the brakes are working a lot better than they were. I would just get it done.
There have been a few posts about this before.
Alex

Had mine done at 20k as well, if that makes a difference

 

[ali831]

£55

I had the same at my stealer yesterday. They agreed the first brake fluid change is done at 3 years and then every 2 years after that. We only do approx 6,000 miles a year so they said it wouldnt be a problem. They charge £55 which includes all labour, parts and VAT.

 

[Emm]

I had the same at my stealer yesterday. They agreed the first brake fluid change is done at 3 years and then every 2 years after that......

Thanks for confirming that ali831.

.....We only do approx 6,000 miles a year so they said it wouldnt be a problem.....

I wouldn't have thought it would be if it's the first 3 years or 125,000 miles...

 

[BeezerDiesel]

£55 seems very steep for a bf change. When I phoned around VW dealers for my Golf GTI (same chassis and running gear remember) they were quoting around the £43 - 45 mark. Had it done by my friendly local indie at £23 inc VAT (my car's out of warranty).

 

[m0rk]

Fluid change as a worst case scenario is a 2yr event, or sooner if your miles are higher.

It's all down to the hydroscopic nature of the fluid taking on more & more water. the more water you have, to worse your brakes are.

You should get it done by your 2yr/20k service....

 

[andyj]

£23 + vat almost makes it not worth the effort to DIY it !!!!

 

[spenny2004]

just had mine serviced - 2nd year - brake fluid changed in mine £45

 

[Chan_P1_TDi_FR]

my brake fluid wasn't changed on the 20k service, but shortly afterwards i change my front brakes to a brembo setup and running racing brake fluid. Now i'll be changing brake fluid as regular as required.

 

[FAST AL]

They probably buy the brake fluid by the barrel.The change is prob only costing the garage a fiver and 15 minutes labour time.What a rip off for £45. £23 seems pretty fair price.

 

[FAST AL]

Does anyone really think the brakes will go spongey or is it just for the dealers to make easy money? I remember on all my old cars never changing the fluid once with no noticeable problems.

 

[chrisboyle999]

Does anyone really think the brakes will go spongey or is it just for the dealers to make easy money? I remember on all my old cars never changing the fluid once with no noticeable problems.

yes. not only that the more water is absorbed the more likely it will boil making matters worse. the system will also start to corrode from the inside out.

 

[chrisboyle999]

from tinternet;

"The brake system uses a glycol-based hydraulic fluid. The fluid is "hygroscopic," which means it tends to absorb moisture over time (never leave a can of brake fluid open for this reason). Moisture lowers the boiling point of the fluid and causes internal corrosion in the brake system. That’s why the fluid should be replaced when brake repairs are made or every two years for preventive maintenance. There are several different types, based on the boiling temperature and other characteristics of the fluid. DOT 3 or DOT 4 is used in most passenger cars and light trucks. Use only the type of fluid specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Using DOT 3 in an application that calls for DOT 4 might create a safety hazard. DOT 5 brake fluid is different from DOT 3 and DOT 4 in that it is silicone-based. DOT 5 is NOT recommended for any vehicle equipped with antilock brakes - but it can provide long-lasting protection against corrosion for vehicles that are stored for long periods of time or are driven in wet environments."

 

[FAST AL]

How can a sealed braking system absorb water though?

 

[chrisboyle999]

How can a sealed braking system absorb water though?

also from tinternet;


"Glycol based fluids are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb water. Over time, water is absorbed and the fluid's boiling point drops. A typical glycol DOT 4 fluid that starts life at 450F dry boiling fresh from the can will degrade to 300F at 12 months by just picking up 3% of its weight in water. By 24 months its likely to be well below 300F at 5% water. In modern brake systems, most of the water absorption occurs in the plastic reservoir on the master cylinder. Poly-based plastics are slightly water permeable, so even brake fluid packaged in plastic bottles is subject to water absorption. Metal cans are superior, Ford Heavy Duty DOT 3 ("Preferred by Racers Everywhere...") is packaged in metal, as is Castrol SRF ($70 per liter!). If you're buying fluid in plastic, try to find a date code on the bottle, get the most recent batch if you can decode the numerical mess."

 

[FAST AL]

Explained well.Cheers m8.Thought it must only be absorbed through the reservoir as it is the only place possible really.

 

[Emm]

The above is taken from the service stamp book from a 08 model year Seat.

On taking my car in for it's 2nd year 20,000 mile service, I was told by the dealer that:

"08 model year onward have the brake fluid change for the first time after 3 years, then every 2 years i.e. as per the book. Earlier vehicles are every 2 years."

Why the change in change periods I don't know.....