Just changed all the brake pads today on my 300E (front & rear), but my tech didnt change the brake fluid. He said "you really dont have to change it". Are you supposed to change the fluid when you get new pads?? or is my tech right? I've had the car since july 99, and I've never changed the fluid. Brakes are solid (Jurid), and the car stops on a dime. By the way, the MB brake paste was not blue, but rather it was black (odd).

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Agron
1989 300E ("E 300"-Badged)
Monotoned Astral Silver w/ rear lid deck panel
97 Style Replica E420 Rims 205/55/16
Euro Headlights
Clear Corners
94/95 Taillights
Black Grille Insert
Chrome Exhaust Tips
20% Tint
Pioneer Sound system w/ Sub-enclosure and CD-changer

Check the owners manual. Belive it should be drained and changed at 30,000 intervals, or even sooner. Check to be sure.

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.

It is much easier to change the brake fluid too often, rather than too late. Think about the price of brake fluid VS brake components $$$$$.

If I am not mistaken, the current MB recommendations are to change the brake fluid every 2 years. Otherwise, it will absorb too much water from the atmosphere and lower the boiling point given enough time.

This comes straight out of the MB maint manual - model years 1981-1993 - job #4210

"Brake fluid must be changed once a year, preferably in spring on models 124 and 201 through 03/91 production as well as models 107, 123, 126. On models 124 and 201 starting 4/91 production, and models 129 and 140 the brake fluid must be changed once every two years."

Brake fluid is hygroscopic-tends to absorb water, thereby lowering the boiling point of brake fluid - not good.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

A little off topic, but is it true that the harder you brake, the less often you have to change the fluid? I read that somewhere in a search here and wanted to verify it.

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Hottee,

The recommended interval for changing brake fluid is based on time; I suppose because of its exposure to the atmosphere and propensity to absorb moisture. While I doubt that the interval would be changed by braking hard, I feel comfortable in saying that by doing so, you would be changing brake pads and rotors with greater frequency. Probably not a good trade off, even if true.

Have a good day.

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Ted
1979 240D
165,000 miles

As well as lowering the boiling point water in the brake fluid causes corrosion damaging cylinders and more importantly (expensive) the ABS unit.

OK.....Im gonna get the fluid changed then. Since my tech is a very busy guy and I would have to call him up in advance to bring the car in, I was thinking why should I wait a couple of days to get the fluid changed, when i can just drive over to Midas and let them do it?? What do you guys think about Midas flushing brake fluid on a 300E?? I know you have to stay away from Midas, but its only brake fluid?? Should I wait 3 days, or drive it in to Midas and let them do it?? Also, approximately how much does it cost to flush brake fluid??

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Agron
1989 300E ("E 300"-Badged)
Monotoned Astral Silver w/ rear lid deck panel
97 Style Replica E420 Rims 205/55/16
Euro Headlights
Clear Corners
94/95 Taillights
Black Grille Insert
Chrome Exhaust Tips
20% Tint
Pioneer Sound system w/ Sub-enclosure and CD-changer

I think that you should not let Midas do it. Bleeding the brakes is not hard, it just needs to be done PROPERLY. If you want to do it yourself, this message borad has a plethora of info and I have the CD if you really get stuck, but you won't. Do a search on "bleeding brakes". Then just do a visual inspection of your car. This way you can ask us any questions that may arise. If you are still stumped wait and let a seasoned MBZ tech help you.

My Friend,

The Braking system on a 300E is a bit more complex than that of a 1989 ford escort, therefore it is much too complex to be left to a Midas service center to handle. Anything that requires care, attention to detail, or just plain common sense is far too much for any brake/alignment/muffler only shop to handle. Get a friend, and do it yourself, you'll be happier that way.


Jason M.

The hydraulic brake fluid should be change every spring.
It does not matter what kind of driver you are, change that fluid as the owners and shop manuals say, every spring.
Never mind about the here say or you heard it on the grape vine, do it right and discount the erronious instructions you've read.
To help you do a simple job made simpler, go to
http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/Don
This will instruct you in the making of a one man operated pressure brake bleeder similar to the $49.95 unit advertised in The Starr Mag for about $15.00.
It is Don's Webb site for El Cheapo items.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston!!!
Donald, El Cheapo

As usual, Donald is right on the money with this one.

Good luck,

Don't take it to Midas,

I have heard plenty of horror stories about things that should be a "simple fix" that should be no trouble for even the guys at midas.

Brakes are your life, don't put it in the hands of someone highly likely to screw it up.

Just my 2 cents.

Did you look see the brake bleeder?
Pretty simple and effective don't you think?
With one of these you will be changing the brake fluid more frequently at first to just clean the system good.
One thing left unsaid; the fluid in the pressure vessel, return it to the original container when you've finished bleeding.
This will prevent the fluid from obsorbing moisture from the atmosphere. The fluid is "Hydroscopic", that's the buzz word for what I said about sucking up water from the air.
Happy Trails Beep beep from Houston!!!
Donald, El Cheapo