Second year car service - they recommend changing brake fluid - is it necessary?

LandyAndy

Hammyman wrote: »

Not only is it worth it, its pretty much a must. The first time you'll find out you should have done it is when the brakes fail as you're descending a 1 in 6 hill braking most of the way or you have to brake hard from 70MPH.

You should be in a gear that means you don't have to.;)

artha

johnnyroper wrote: »

you may well be correct for some garages/dealers however do not tar everyone with the same brush.
i did my time at a peugeot dealer plus 2 years after qualifying and then 5 years for vauxhall,i can guarantee you i never ever ticked a box on service checklist and did not carry out the job,the brake fluid was due to change every 2 years because it is hydroscopic and it always got done if due and customer wanted to pay.

Sorry, didn't mean to tar everyone with the same brush but I am still suspicious enough not to be totally impressed by the long list of checks that have apparently been done in some garages. When I said it was my Toyota main dealer I didn't mean it was a single garage. I've used 3 different Toyota garages. We've had two other Toyotas prior to the current two and although I no longer have the records I don't recall the brake fluid ever being changed in those.

Of the current toyotas one had some new brake pipes fitted at 12 years old and the other at 7 years old so I suppose I've had brake fluid replaced but not as part of a service schedule

Nilrem

I don't think our local Kia dealership even ask about changing the brake fluid, I think it's part of the standard service (which might explain why the cost every other year is higher), which to me makes sense, if a part should be replaced every X years during service it is much simpler to have it included in the base price for that service in my opinion, especially if it's part of an important safety system.

It wouldn't surprise me too much if some other dealers also don't count the "regular service" items separately in the bill if the manufacturer has set the schedule, as I know that my local Vauxhall dealer also used to charge a varying amount depending on which service you had (IIRC it was something like price A year 1, price B year 2, A 3, B 4, and a third price for year 5 - cambelt change?).
It might be noted in the breakdown of the pricing/work done (possibly as a tick box) but included in the standard charge for that service.

johnnyroper

LandyAndy wrote: »

You should be in a gear that means you don't have to.;)

thats as maybe but the gear will only keep so much speed off,the brakes are still required down steep hill.
whats more if there is substantial moisture in brake fluid from constant heating/cooling then it will not take much braking to boil it up and as such habe pedal to floor.
the brake fluid change is put on the service schedule for a reason and i for one would not skip the change you dont mess about with brakes.

johnnyroper

artha wrote: »

Sorry, didn't mean to tar everyone with the same brush but I am still suspicious enough not to be totally impressed by the long list of checks that have apparently been done in some garages. When I said it was my Toyota main dealer I didn't mean it was a single garage. I've used 3 different Toyota garages. We've had two other Toyotas prior to the current two and although I no longer have the records I don't recall the brake fluid ever being changed in those.

Of the current toyotas one had some new brake pipes fitted at 12 years old and the other at 7 years old so I suppose I've had brake fluid replaced but not as part of a service schedule

it may well be the case that the brake fluid change is automatically included within the service cost every 2 years? some dealers do and some it is a chargeable extra even though it is recommended.
personally i do own servicing using parts from dealer and always do fluid when due.

obviously there are some garages who will cut corners be it franchised or indipendant but vast majority will be honest.

Velcro_Hotdog

Buy a Haynes manual for your car and have a look at doing it your self. You will save a fortune on future service costs

mcjordi

its still in warrenty so they shouldnt be servicing it themselves as it would invalidate any warrenty.. and yes get the fluid changed....

Velcro_Hotdog

Thats why I said future services

mcjordi

Velcro_Hotdog wrote: »

Thats why I said future services

so you did

im tired

artha

johnnyroper wrote: »

it may well be the case that the brake fluid change is automatically included within the service cost every 2 years? some dealers do and some it is a chargeable extra even though it is recommended.
personally i do own servicing using parts from dealer and always do fluid when due.

obviously there are some garages who will cut corners be it franchised or indipendant but vast majority will be honest.

Every invoice I've had from Toyota, Independant, Vauxhall have shown a breakdown of costs into labour and parts. Oil change is the one basic requirement of any service but has anyone not seen it itemised on the bill?