Brakes are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on your car, as they ensure you stop in a timely manner. However, many people forget to flush their brake fluid every 3,000 miles or so. Is it really necessary to do this?
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of flushing your brake fluid, and hopefully give you a better understanding of whether or not it’s necessary for you.
What is Brake Fluid Flushing?
Brake fluid flushing is a process of removing old brake fluid and replacing it with new brake fluid. Flushing the brake system helps to prevent corrosion, wear and tear on the braking system components, and even potential safety hazards.
Brake flushing is often recommended when the brake pedal feel soft or spongy or when the brakes start to make noise. When should I flush my brakes?
There is no definite answer, but typically you should flush your brakes every 6 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Benefits of Brake Fluid Flushing
Hitting the brakes hard can cause your car to skid. If you do this repeatedly, the brake pads may not be able to stop the car in time, potentially leading to a serious crash. To avoid this, it’s important to regularly flush your car’s brake fluid. Here are four reasons why you should do this:
1. Brake fluid can become contaminated with dirt and dust. When this happens, it becomes more difficult for the pads to stop the car in time. Regular flushing helps clean the brake system and remove these contaminants.
2. Brake fluid can also become contaminated with chemicals and other materials. If this happens, it can cause your brakes to malfunction or even fail completely. Flushing your brake system regularly helps prevent this from happening.
3. Over time, brake fluid can lose its ability to stop the car in time. This is especially likely if your brakes have been used frequently or if they’ve been exposed to harsh weather conditions. Flushing your brakes regularly helps restore their ability to stop the car quickly and safely.
4. Brake fluid is a vital part of your car’s braking
When Should You Flush the Brake Fluid?
If you’re like most drivers, you probably believe that it’s always important to flush the brake fluid in your car every time you change the oil. After all, brake fluid is just a mixture of water and ethylene glycol, right? Wrong! According to the Brake Fluid Manufacturers Association (BFMAA), flushing your brakes with fresh fluid is only necessary when the fluid’s pH falls below 7.0 or when the concentration of organic materials exceeds 0.3 parts per million (ppm). In other words, unless there’s something wrong with your brakes or they’ve been abused, you can safely skip the brake fluid flush every time you change your oil.
How to Perform a Brake Fluid Flush
When your brake pads wear out and start to make a grinding noise, it’s time to flush your brake fluid. This process cleans and lubricates the pads, which should stop the noise. Here’s how to do it:
1) Make sure your car is properly parked and your parking brake is set.
2) Remove your wheel and jack your car up so that you have access to the brake fluid reservoir.
3) Use a funnel to fill a container with brake fluid. The container should have a capacity of at least 1/2 gallon (3 liters).
4) Close the reservoir lid, then replace the wheel and jack the car back down.
5) Park your car in a safe place and wait at least 30 minutes for the brake fluid to drain.
6) Remove the jug from the brake fluid reservoir and dispose of it correctly, such as by pouring it down the drain or into a hazardous waste bin.
Conclusion
In general, it is always a good idea to have your brake fluid flushed and replaced at the recommended intervals by your car manufacturer. However, if you have specific concerns about any abnormalities or issues with your brakes, then it might be a good idea to have them checked out as well. It all comes down to personal preference — do whatever makes you feel safest and most comfortable driving your vehicle.