Brake fluid tester (pen style)
- Thread starter sergeyvk
- Start date
They'll probably be very similar.
A better way is just to check when the fluid was last changed, every 2 or 3 years is commonly recommended. Usually 3 years from new then every 2 for a VAG vehicle.
robalmal
Well-known member
Thats all well and good if you have records for the vehicle in question.
If it is a car you don't know the history of, I can see how a tester would be very useful.
That said, on my own cars I change the fluid every 2 years as you suggest.
Eric29
Well-known member
I know the cheap testers will deteriorate if you actually dip the plastic part in brake fluid. You have to make sure to just get the prongs in and nothing else. The more expensive testers might be more durable.
Also, my experience is that even after two or three years, I don’t get a lot of moisture in my brake fluid. I only change it if there’s a lot of moisture in it or it’s dirty. I’ve found that I don’t need to change the fluid every 2 to 3 years. More like 5-6 if the tester is to be believed.
Also, my experience is that even after two or three years, I don’t get a lot of moisture in my brake fluid. I only change it if there’s a lot of moisture in it or it’s dirty. I’ve found that I don’t need to change the fluid every 2 to 3 years. More like 5-6 if the tester is to be believed.
driftpin
Well-known member
Here's what happened the last time I tested my brake fluid:
matt_i
Well-known member
I wouldnt even bother with one. An OEM uses an exotic boiling point tester to determine if fluid is suitable for production. Its continually sampled on some kind of repeating time unit as a quality check. EDIT: i forgot that the brake fluid quality is a FMVSS (federal motor vehicle safety standard) on which records must be kept. One of the most serious forms of compliance.
http://www.jercoproducts.com/
I don't even mess with brake fluid until I make the first repair that requires cracking the system open, which is usually some kind of issue with a rear caliper failing to contact the rotor reliably. Its usually 8 years in, I'm talking GM products.
http://www.jercoproducts.com/
I don't even mess with brake fluid until I make the first repair that requires cracking the system open, which is usually some kind of issue with a rear caliper failing to contact the rotor reliably. Its usually 8 years in, I'm talking GM products.
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Do you know what GM's recommended brake fluid change interval is?
It's just an EC meter that's telling you how conductive the fluid is, i.e how much water is in it. But water in the fluid is not the only reason to replace brake fluid.
Unfortunately you need a brake fluid boiling point tester to determine how poor of condition fluid is in. Whether is 2 day old track car fluid that's been cooked to near useless, or a 3 year old car that's never had it touched and it's still working fine.
Unfortunately you need a brake fluid boiling point tester to determine how poor of condition fluid is in. Whether is 2 day old track car fluid that's been cooked to near useless, or a 3 year old car that's never had it touched and it's still working fine.
nelstomlinson
Well-known member
If it looks dark, I change it.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you're worried about the quality of your brake fluid, use a test strip. the strip will test for more than just moisture.
Yep that's how I change it on my vehicles. But it's very rare I find any information in the logbook about the last fluid change on unknown vehicles.
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