Brake Fluid Change Interval

[suginami]

A previous post regarding brake fluid change on a 190E brought it to mind, but I recall that the suggested maintenance interval on my 93 300E is every year on the brake fluid, and every other year on the coolant.
In the past, on all my cars I've changed the coolant every year and the brake fluid every 30,000 miles. Everyone that I discuss this with thinks I'm crazy for changing the brake fluid even at this rate. Most people don't even realize it is a fluid that needs changing, even guys who regularly know about car maintenance.

How often does everyone change their brake fluid?

Do you think every year is overly excessive?

For that matter, what about power steering fluid. To be honest, I've never considered changing power steering fluid in my cars, but have read threads on this site about owners doing it. Is it really necessary?

Btw, I'm in New Orleans on a business trip. I'm thinking of heading over to Bourbon St. this evening to check out the Mardi Gras parades. I'm told that if you throw beads at the girls, they'll raise their tops. All my life I've been trying to get women to take their clothes off, and all it takes down here is a cheap bead necklace...

[MikeTangas]

Just dawned on me Paul, you're out of luck with the beads. Fat Tuesday was yesterday! Should be sorta quiet in the Big Easy today.

EDIT: I don't understand how, but this post jumped ahead of my prior post. Second time that has happened now. Hmmm...

in the case of brake system flushing, your climate and usage habits make a huge difference. I grew up in the cold northern plains states, and cars there could go as much as a decade without the fluid absorbing a serious amount of moisture, but here in Tidewater, Virginia, the combination of humidity and heavy braking on overcrowded roads means change it OFTEN. I suspect that the factory recommendation assumes Autobahn and Alpine driving in what is also a rather damp climate. If you're in an Arizona retirement community, on the other hand . . . .

[robi99]

I just had my brake fluid changed by my local MB dealer who has a good reputation. I asked if annually was really necessary and was told that if semi-annually would be just fine. I didn't ask if climate made a difference but I am in the northeast, Vermont to be exact where we can go days without touching the brakes unless a cow runs in front of you.

[MikeTangas]

I thought the brake fluid interval was every other year under normal conditions, maybe every year in wetter climes. For me that means about every 10-15K miles.

Now for getting all that view for cheap beads...have you ever tried to get the beads from a desireable crewe??? The better crewes get the better views . Be sure and stop by Cafe du Monde (on the Riverwalk, just up from the old JAX Brewery, almost caddy corner from Jackson Square) and get an oder of Bignettes and coffee...good eats. A decent place for dinner used to be a restaurant in the old Playboy Club, I think it was the Baccanal or something like that, or any dive Po'boy shop you can find .

[savagetom]

Minor detail but Fat Tuesday is the 12th - the day before Ash Wednesday.

[suginami]

Yeah, apparently Fat Tuesday is next Tuesday, the 12th, but there is a parade everyday. I think I caught the first one last night.
I hustled on over to Bourbon St. as soon as I landed, about 6:00 p.m.
I had dinner at Mulate's, which is across the street from the casino's. Listened to a Cajun band and ate Crawfish Etufe (spelling??).
I humped the 8 or so blocks to Bourbon St., and on St. Charles St. I noticed there was a high school marching band, followed by floats. I stood in the crowd and the people wearing costumes on the floats starting throwing beads at you.
I got a whole bunch of beads, then high-tailed it to Bourbon St., but it was so cold (about 44 degrees and raining) that no woman would dare take her jacket off.
It's still cold but not raining. I might try it one more time. Everyone at the hotel and even taxi drivers assure me that girls willingly will negotiate with you to get these beads. I can't figure out why they want the beads so much, but I'll try to oblige them. lol.

Brake fluid - by the replies so far, it does seem that everyone is changing their brake fluid every 1-2 years.

Anybody have any comments on power steering fluid??

[ymsin]

I have the brake fluids changed every year although its recommended by the workshop to do it every 18 months. Not too sure about the MB recommendations but a visual look at the colour of the fluid will tell you a better picture.

[MikeTangas]

Looking at the calendar in front of me, Fat Tuesday is next week the 12th. The work calendars don't list religious holidays such as Ash Wednesday, so I was trying to do the 40 day backward math in my head.

Ettouffee - mmmm, mmm real good eats.