Change Your Brake Fluid
 

I just changed mine. It had been in there since I did some major brake work in 2005. It came out a little dark, but not milky, and I live in a pretty dry area. Also, the fluid level went down while I had the car in storage for a year, and got a little air in the system. Now my normal pedal and "hand of God" brakes are functioning as they should. I used the vacuum pump with brake bleeder accessories that I got from Harbor Freight for like 5 bucks. Easy day.

Now I just need to change my power steering fluid and filter, air filter (surprisingly dirty after only 8000 miles), fix my dash lights, climate control, vacuum locks...:o

Mercedes Factory Maintenance Schedule requires the brake fluid be changed once a year, preferably in the spring.




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I know. I let it slip a bit (5 1/2 years). The domestic OEMs don't even call for this service, or at least they didn't in the times when I was driving domestics.

Because most domestic cars are entering a crusher by their 8th year. :D

I have always though there was a financial dividend in changing out the brake fluid every year or two. Many cars still have a lot of their original fluid.

Usually anything in life that pays you to do should be at least seriously considered. Also since failure of the brake system should be less frequent with fluid changes there are safety issues with just letting it go.

fluid does not just disappear... I'd start looking for the leaking hose/line...

No recommendation but for myself the Fluid sort of gets changed when I work on the Calipers and I bleed the Fluid out until clear.
Other than that as long as the Brakes work I am not concerned about the Fluid.

They sell the Denatured Alcohol to clean the system out but I have never seen or met anyone who as flushed the system with that before adding new Brake fluid.

I also do not see any difference between the Mercedes Brake System and other Brake Systems that looks like it needs any special attention or procedures.

The service booklet in the glove box of my 98 e300d says every two years.

Agreed, top it up and there is still a drop in level without any fluid on the ground, the best bet is a failing M/C leaking into the brake booster.

pawoSD, good point.

I went down while the car sat in storage for a year. After I topped it up, the level didn't change. Whatever leakage occurred seems to have stopped when regular operation resumed. It probably isn't a bad idea for me to check my booster for fluid though.

Two years on his 2005, one year on your 1983.

Maybe due to DOT 3 vs 4 fluid being used?

DOT 4 will absorb water faster, but has a far higher starting and wet boiling temperature, so perhaps is OK, versus the temperatures that DOT3 can come down to.

Just a thought.

The change was in the flexible lines. The newer ones let less moisture in.

Honestly for the speeds seen on NA roads every 2 years is fine with DOT4 fluid.

-J