Bi-annual Brake Fluid Change and 12 year vacuum pump

[LennyLexus]

Hi,

Lexus service intervals state the brake fluid must be changed every two years, however my local mechanic (non specialist) says this is a money making scheme, a simple contamination test will suffice.

I have also read somewhere the bi-annual brake fluid change is required to prolong the life to vacuum pump. What is this, and how are the replacement costs?

Cheers

[Venator]

Hey,

Personally, I'd guess whatever the service schedule says do that, or you can get brake fluid testers, which as brake fluid is hygroscopic absorbs moisture, the tester measures the water content, and indicates weather you should change or or if its good to go

I think bi-annual is a bit too much, unless maybe your going to the tracks heavily, but every few years is fine, but that's one man's view!

From what I can remember, a brake servo is the vacuum part connected to the master cylinder and just helps with the operation of braking when you push on it to brake

Hope it helps

[steveledzep]

31 minutes ago, Venator said:

measures the water content, and indicates weather you should change or or if its good to go

With the weather we've been having lately, the water content is bound to be high 

[is200 Newbie]

Don't think bi-annual is right (twice a year???)

2 - 3 years would be more like it or when the calipers need replacing (if you are unlucky)

 

 

[Verbout]

I think it's says "biennial"

[LennyLexus]

Lol, yes it should say biennial! 

I'll get it tested. The local mechanic said if your coolant doesn't need replacing for 100k and that gets heated, why would your brake fluid need replacing?

Anyone know if it's included as part of the essential care major service? 

[Fishboy]

I've read somewhere that manufacturers specify changing fluids (oils, coolant, hydraulic fluid etc) for a worse case scenario such as short journeys and high humidity levels. My IS had new brake fluid back in 2012 when I bought it. I have it tested every year when in for servicing, this year it needed changing and the car lives outside all year round si im guessing it would absorb more water than in a dry garage.

[J Henderson]

On 3/8/2016 at 9:22 PM, LennyLexus said:

Anyone know if it's included as part of the essential care major service? 

Yes. It was changed during my last service.