Changing Brake Fluid - Vectra C

pennypincher3562

Hi

After having my car serviced, the garage has said that the brake fluid is low.

Does anyone know is it easy to change the brake fluid on a Vectra C yourself?

How much would it cost if I did it myself. How much should it cost at a garage? I was quoted £30.

Even if I don't fix it myself, is it simple to verify that the brake fluid is indeed low?

Thanks

BeenThroughItAll

If you have to ask, take it to a garage.

mcjordi

£30 isnt bad.. let the garage do it

pennypincher3562

mcjordi wrote: »

£30 isnt bad.. let the garage do it

Is there any simple method of verifying that the brake fluid is indeed low, as claimed by the garage?

AdrianC

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Is there any simple method of verifying that the brake fluid is indeed low, as claimed by the garage?

Look in the owner's handbook. It'll tell you where the lid to the reservoir is. You can then look to see where the level comes up to, relative to the "MAX" and "MIN" marks on it.

If it's just low, it can be topped up rather than changed.
BUT... the first question is "Why is it low?" - the fluid doesn't get used. It might just be that the disks and pads are getting very low, so there's more fluid in the calipers. Or there might be a slow leak.

The second question is "When was it last changed?" - it should be changed every two years as part of routine servicing.

interstellaflyer

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Is there any simple method of verifying that the brake fluid is indeed low, as claimed by the garage?

Yes, unscrew the lid to the reservoir and you will see how low it is, however, brake fluid should be changed at regular intervals, usually every 3 years, could they mean it needs changing?

pennypincher3562

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Yes, unscrew the lid to the reservoir and you will see how low it is, however, brake fluid should be changed at regular intervals, usually every 3 years, could they mean it needs changing?

Thanks, will ask them tomorrow, and take it from there.

gilbert_and_sullivan

As mentioned above, if you have to ask how to check the fluid level its probably best you don't even think about replacing it yourself, and yes £30 is cheap.

reeac

I would expect any respectable garage to have topped up the fluid as part of the servicing. The figure quoted of £30 seems high for topping up but low for a complete change.

mr_accountant

First open the bonnet and check if the reservoir is indeed low, check your handbook to see where it is, or even googl, there will be a photo, there is a min and max mark on the reservoir. As the brake pads wear, it will go down a little but not too the min mark.

What is the £ 30 for, to top up or replace, if the former that is a rip off, brake fluid is pennies, and takes a few seconds to top up, if the latter then that's a good price, assuming the garage replace and bleed the fluid through all four wheels.

As has been said, should be changed as per the service schedule normally every 2 or 3 years

Strider590

Let the garage do it, it's not a difficult task, but if you get it wrong you could seriously mess up your ABS unit.