As a driver, you don’t think about your brakes until they don’t work (and hopefully you’re not going down a mountain road when this happens). But, if you’re smart, you’ll make sure your brakes are well-cared-for. If you need to change the pads or resurface the rotors, you’ll do that. Is it better to do what your mechanic says or save money and not get your brakes flushed?
Do it now.
Braking systems can’t be destroyed. There are parts that break down over time. Rubber parts like those in the valves in your brake calipers, master cylinder, and wheel cylinders break down. There are a lot of things that fall off, and they end up in your brake fluid. It can also get old and worn out. A lot of moisture can also be in your body. Because of that, your brake fluid will get rusty, which means there will be more bad things in it. All of this adds up to a brake system that isn’t as effective and doesn’t have as much stopping power.
Think about this: Change your car’s engine oil, right? It’s the lifeblood of your engine, and if it gets dirty with impurities, the whole thing could break down. As with brake fluid, this is the same thing If you let it get dirty, then you can’t stop. Getting your brakes flushed may not seem important when you’re at the service desk, but when you’re speeding down a mountain road, you’ll see why.
A good rule of thumb is to have your brakes flushed every 30,000 miles or so. Not all brakes need to be flushed or bled at the same time. Brake flushing is the process of taking all the brake fluid out of the system and putting in new, clean fluid. When you brake-bleed, you take enough brake fluid out of the lines to get air bubbles out of the lines. So, make sure you flush your brakes often.
The same thing goes for when your car or truck has less stopping power. Even if you’re not going to the mountains, have it checked out by an expert right away.
Brake Flushing
What is a brake flush?
As part of this process, old brake fluid is drained out of the system and replaced with new, clean brake fluid.
How much should I expect to pay to flush brake fluid?
In general, it costs about $100, which includes service fees.
How often should you change brake fluid?
Brake flushes are an important part of car maintenance. They should be done every two years, or every 30,000 miles, to keep the brakes in good shape.
How do you tell if your car needs a brake flush?
Brakes should be cleaned if they feel soft and spongy.
What happens if you delay or don’t flush the brakes?
Metal parts can start to rust and corrosion, which can cause corroded particles to mix with the brake fluid. This can make the brake fluid less effective.
