Brake Fluid

Jono8

Jono8

Jono8

Caporegime
Joined
20 May 2007
Posts
41,028
Location
Surrey
Had my Octavia VRS (2006) 3 months now and one thing i have been pondering about is the brake fluid. I think it is due ( as it should be done every 2 years according to the service book). It has had 2 brake fluid changes in its history but no mention of another one. It might have been done but i don't know.

Is there anyway to check easily if the brake fluid is old/needs replacing?

I know the sensible thing would be to just get it done as a precaution, but i hold the saying " if it aint broke, dont fix it" in quite high regard :p
 
It absorbs moisture, which reduces it's boiling point.

In other words, it stops working and you find yourself with no brakes.
 
It's pretty corrosive stuff, I believe it has chemicals in it that stop it from rotting your brake lines / callipers, and these break down over time.

Don't break your brakes
 
I could really do with changing mine before the next MOT, last one it was 22% imbalanced to the left and I still haven't sorted it!
 
Ok, seen as there is no way to check if the brake fluid is alright or not and i have no record of it being done in the last two years, im getting it done.

Knowing my luck it was probably done, very recently but better safe than sorry

Just got of the phone to my local Skoda dealer. Booked in. £45 inc VAT.
 
I've gone longer than two years before admittedly and had no issues. However, the was some right tramp on here you had a Supra and hadn't changed his fluid in 16 years of something like that
 
Also going to get shiny new coil packs done for free whilst i am there as the recall on these hadnt been done yet :)
 
Actually, just thinking..The car was fitted with brand new discs and pads when i picked it up. Would the brake fluid have been changed then i.e. is it necessity when changing brake parts?
 
Jono8 said:
Actually, just thinking..The car was fitted with brand new discs and pads when i picked it up. Would the brake fluid have been changed then i.e. is it necessity when changing brake parts?
Click to expand...

No it's not necessary.

In my S2000 old brake fluid gave me fade I'd been using the brakes a bit, had to progressively push the pedal harder and harder to get any braking force.

It was fixed once the fluid was changed for new.
 
PiKe said:
No it's not necessary.

In my S2000 old brake fluid gave me fade I'd been using the brakes a bit, had to progressively push the pedal harder and harder to get any braking force.

It was fixed once the fluid was changed for new.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks.

The brakes do feel absolutely fine in the car

I have been reading that old brake fluid can harm the ESP/ABS modules e.t.c as well so its probably a good job im getting it done.
 
Jono8 said:
Ok thanks.

The brakes do feel absolutely fine in the car

I have been reading that old brake fluid can harm the ESP/ABS modules e.t.c as well so its probably a good job im getting it done.
Click to expand...

Even after prolonged heavy braking? Take it round some country lanes.
 
Brake fluid is hydroscopic as mentioned above it absorbs moisture from the atomosphere which lowers its boiling point - also mentioned above.

The fact is you are unlikely to notice this in day to day driving, you would certainly notice it on a track day for example.

As more moisture finds its way into the fluid over time, it starts to corrode the cast iron components in the braking system, such as slave cylinders, this corrosion can cause premature failure of these components and cause them to stick or leak.

It is prudent to change you brake fluid as recommended for this reason.
 
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