Just purchased a 2011 Ford Ranger. I know there are special tools for checking break fluid for water content. And it is good to flush. (Learned that after replacing calipers 2 times in less than 2 years). The break fluid is not clear. You might say is looks a little darker than pee color. Hate to take it to a dealer for testing as I have recent experience flushing out gunk from my previous truck. Breaks are currently working great. The 2011 Ford Ranger has only 38,000 miles but 10 years. I have no idea if fluid was ever flushed.
I bet your fluid is fine, but have someone test it for you with a moisture meter. It only takes a sec.
Look, … just bleed the system! You just bought the truck. Who knows when it was changed last time, … it should be changed every 2-3 years, depending how humid it is where you normally drive. Brake fluids are hygroscopic, … which means they absorb water/moisture from the environment.
F.S
brake fluid is NOT changed every 3 years. It's a sealed system. There should be hardly any moisture getting in.
Should be clear or even a light honey color. If it’s black like used oil, time for a flush. It is easy to flush out.
I wonder if it's a service that part stores like Autozone will provide.
You’d think they would, right? Takes a few seconds & it’ll almost always guarantee a sale for a new bottle of brake fluid!
This is something that I fight with myself on. I have an 07 Ranger and flushed the brakes every 4 or 5 years. Do I really have to? ehhh. I usually go through a 1 big and 1 small yellow bottle of that synthetic brake fluid at most auto parts stores. Have someone pump and hold the brake pedal down and I open the bleeder screw, start with the furthest from the master cylinder and work your way up to the driver front bleeder. (MAKE SURE TO TOP OFF THE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR! AND MAKR SURE THE PERSON PUMPING THE BEAKE PEDAL DOESN'T LET OFF UNTIL AFTER YOU CLOSE THE BLEEDER! ALSO ATTACH A CLEAR TUBE TO THE RMD OF THE BLEEDER AND PUT THE OTHER END IN A WATER BOTTLE WITH THE DIRTY BRAKE FLUID YOU’LL TURKEY BASTER OUT IF THE RESERVOIR, FIRST. KEEP THE TUBE UNDER THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IN YOUR WATER BOTTLE! Otherwise you might get air in the system.)
If the bleeders are rusted stuck, take 50/50 ATF and acetone mixed and with a squirt bottle or small brush, put it on the bleeders around the outside.
I only do mine, because I’m trying to prolong the life of the ABS system. I do not want that going out, it is expensive!!!
Brake fluid never used to be a recommended maintenance but over the last 5-10 years is has become a very common flush. I would recommend changing it. Just buy a quart of fluid and keep the master full and gravity or suction bleed each wheel until it’s clean it’s not a super expensive service
