Hi all,
when at the dealership getting my flat tire fixed last week, the advisor recommended replacing the old brake fluid with new Brake Fluid (not a bleed). Is it really necessary? My vehicle is a 2022 Ford Edge 2.0 Ecoboost with 30,350 miles.
I couldn’t find the visual test strips at my local Auto Zone. However, I did take a look at it and it was yellow in color (like American cheese). Is this normal?
Also, I think I have another symptom of needing brake fluid: my brake pedal is super hard when you release the e brake but then once you drive around for a while it becomes soft like normal. Is this related to needing brake fluid?
Look at it with a clear eyedropper, if you want. Brake fluid is made of an alcohol of some type, on most vehicles (your Ford Edge is DOT 4, so it's an alcohol). As a result, the alcohol is attracted to water and water vapor. As brake fluid absorbs water, the alcohol will be less effective at stopping the car. Braking makes the alcohol absorb heat. Water has a lower boiling point than that alcohol, and when you're hard on the brakes, such as stopping in an emergency, the water turns to water vapor because of the tremendous amount of heat that was absorbed, causing the brake pedal to become soft and mushy. Your car won't slow down properly as a result, increasing your risk for an accident. It doesn't happen overnight, as long as your brakes are properly sealed. Water will eventually start contaminating the brakes, eventually leading to a dark discoloration. @chucktobias mentioned this.
You can get a special meter that tests brake fluid on Amazon: Amazon.com: Aicevoos NC Brake Fluid Tester Pen Brake Fluid Test Strips, Calibrated for DOT3 DOT4 DOT-5.1 Brake Fluid : Automotive
Your parking brake is electronic, not a manual handbrake. I don't know the specifics of that system. I would assume, as long as it stops within the expected distance, it's fine. Perhaps someone else with more knowledge can chime in.
Look at your brake fluid reservoir, it most likely has only barely moved. As the brakes wear, the piston travels farther and uses a little more fluid. That is perfectly normal.
What does the factory service schedule call for? You can do a visual check of the fluid for degradation and check moisture content with test strips.
Remember that "service advisors" are really commissioned sales people that frequently will do their best to upsell customers with "dealer recommended" rather than "factory recommended" maintenance as well as useless nonsense like filling tires with nitrogen.
https://thegarageba.com/truth-brake-fluid-changes/
In general it's best to stay away from dealers and use a good independent shop for anything other than warranty or recall repairs.
@chucktobias Can you get the test strips at Autozone? And by checking it visually how can you tell if there’s degradation in the brake fluid?
Also the only reason why I went to the dealer was because I have a Ford-backed road hazard warranty.
I don't know whether Autozone carries the test strips, you'd have to check with them. Brake fluid should be clean and clear. If dark, dirty, or cloudy it needs to be changed.
Brake fluid doesn't need to be changed that often. It's two years old. I tried Googling the owner's manual for your vehicle, I found it, but there's nothing specific about brake fluid change intervals. Every 5-to-7 years is a good rule of thumb. If you live in a more humid area, go closer to every 5 years. The dealer is trying to upsell you as much as possible to cover their overhead costs. Don't let them sell you the kitchen sink.
@justin-shepherd I couldn’t find the visual test strips at my local Auto Zone. However, I did take a look at it and it was yellow in color (like American cheese). Is this normal?
Also, I think I have another symptom of needing brake fluid: my brake pedal is super hard when you release the e brake but then once you drive around for a while it becomes soft like normal. Is this related to needing brake fluid?
So I went to the mechanic shop. The mechanic tested it with a hydrometer and said that because the fluid was low, was extremely dark, and was "burnt" (I don't know how brake fluid can be burnt), I got it flushed. Now the brakes now work better than new!