Every once in a while, old threads like this are brought back up because they are the ones that bring the most controversy. Change your brake fluid? It's right up there with coolant changes - something people really overlook, but shouldn't. And then, every now and then, you have a handful of people saying how their great grandmother's 1958 Edsel ran on its original oil, brake fluid, tires and gas for 30 million miles.
Yes, there are some conditions in which brake fluid changes are not needed as frequently (or at all) - for example, if you live in Las Vegas, it's not really humid there, so your brake fluid might last 15 years longer than someone who lives in Seattle, where it always rains. Also, older style brake fluid reservoirs (the ones with the metal lids) don't let much, if any air in the system, because the top has a rubber seal that acts as a diaphragm, preventing a vacuum when the pedal is pushed, where modern clear reservoirs have a cap with a vent hole. That adds a few years on as well.
I recently changed the brake fluid for the rear lines on my Jeep (around October/November). It was the original fluid - in there since '92. It worked fine! But damn, it was the color of coffee, and the texture of bottom-of-the-pot coffee. You know, with all the grounds in it. I can feel a firmer pedal now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jackd
I don't know if this is the result of frequent brake fluid change, but my 17 years old W124 with well over 400K on the clock still has its original brake caliper,(never opened) master cylinder and brake lines.
Same results with the rear end, transmission and power steering system
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And you are one of the rarities. Most people with well over 400k on the clock have changed each fluid you mentioned (except maybe power steering) at least 2 times. Have you ever looked at the color of your ATF or brake fluid compared to new? If you did a brake fluid change, it would probably scare you when you look at what you were driving around with.