Brake Fluid Flush Interval....
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: Boston, MA
2014 C300 Sport 4Matic
Brake Fluid Flush Interval....
Hello.. As per the maintenance books.. it says that Brake fluid flush should be performed every 20k miles or 2 years whichever comes first.. making it a part of Service B... I was just curious if you guys do Brake fluid flush every 20k miles.. I had mine done at 27k miles along with oil change.. Should i get it done again at 47k miles when i do my oil change... Thanks in advance.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 608
Likes: 107
From: Western NC
2009 MB C300 Sport 4matic
Every 2 years for brake fluid was chosen I believe because that was the average length of time when the brake fluid moisture contents is in the high 3% range. I have no idea why that percentage is the cut off...suppose it has been shown to significantly effect braking in some study or more. If you want, Amazon has brake fluid hygrometers for about $10.00 and you can confirm if the H2O level is in the "need to change" range particularly if you are utilizing a Dealer/Indy Garage. I personally change out the brake fluid on my vehicles fairly often for something to do and the warm fuzzy feeling....a probable small waste of time/few dollars
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: Boston, MA
2014 C300 Sport 4Matic
Every 2 years for brake fluid was chosen I believe because that was the average length of time when the brake fluid moisture contents is in the high 3% range. I have no idea why that percentage is the cut off...suppose it has been shown to significantly effect braking in some study or more. If you want, Amazon has brake fluid hygrometers for about $10.00 and you can confirm if the H2O level is in the "need to change" range particularly if you are utilizing a Dealer/Indy Garage. I personally change out the brake fluid on my vehicles fairly often for something to do and the warm fuzzy feeling....a probable small waste of time/few dollars
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Yeah the time is much more of an issue than the mileage, if you put 60k on the car in 2 years, I'd still say only do the brake flush once. It's about moisture absorption into the fluid lowering the boiling point, mileage really shouldn't matter.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
I originally did 20k mile/2 year intervals just so I can say I did it by the book when I was under the 50k mile warranty. Eventually the dealer pointed out my fluid was still good after testing (I'm currently averaging 17k miles a year) and I now I simply do the test myself and change when it reaches 3%. I test every 10k miles during an oil change and use Motul DOT 5.1.
Last edited by edgalang; Sep 20, 2018 at 10:26 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 251
From: Canada
A car
I originally did 20k mile/2 year intervals just so I can say I did it by the book when I was under the 50k mile warranty. Eventually the dealer pointed out my fluid was still good after testing (I'm currently averaging 17k miles a year) and I now I simply do the test myself and change when it reaches 3%. I test every 10k miles during an oil change and use Motul DOT 5.1.
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 147
Likes: 11
From: North of Charlotte NC
2015 C350 Sport
Maybe I'm just lucky. But the only time I change my brake fluid is when I change the brakes on any of my cars. Zero brake failures in over 45 years and a ton of cars... I'll be changing the brakes on my 79 Corvette this winter. Will test the brake fluid before I change it. Might be OEM.. but still stops just fine. It just seems for a closed system.. if your getting high water content in your closed system, you have other issues to look into. Testing is the key.....
I'm sure I'll get rocks tossed at me, but 20k brake fluid change is like the oil change places telling you to change your oil every 3k. Good for your car, but overkill. IMO.. <------ Going into hiding now.
You do what you think is best for your car and pocket.
I'm sure I'll get rocks tossed at me, but 20k brake fluid change is like the oil change places telling you to change your oil every 3k. Good for your car, but overkill. IMO.. <------ Going into hiding now.
You do what you think is best for your car and pocket.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 37
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
2013 C350 Coupe, 2005 C230K Kleemann Sedan, 2013 GLK350 4matic
Hello.. As per the maintenance books.. it says that Brake fluid flush should be performed every 20k miles or 2 years whichever comes first.. making it a part of Service B... I was just curious if you guys do Brake fluid flush every 20k miles.. I had mine done at 27k miles along with oil change.. Should i get it done again at 47k miles when i do my oil change... Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 37
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
2013 C350 Coupe, 2005 C230K Kleemann Sedan, 2013 GLK350 4matic
Maybe I'm just lucky. But the only time I change my brake fluid is when I change the brakes on any of my cars. Zero brake failures in over 45 years and a ton of cars... I'll be changing the brakes on my 79 Corvette this winter. Will test the brake fluid before I change it. Might be OEM.. but still stops just fine. It just seems for a closed system.. if your getting high water content in your closed system, you have other issues to look into. Testing is the key.....
I'm sure I'll get rocks tossed at me, but 20k brake fluid change is like the oil change places telling you to change your oil every 3k. Good for your car, but overkill. IMO.. <------ Going into hiding now.
You do what you think is best for your car and pocket.
I'm sure I'll get rocks tossed at me, but 20k brake fluid change is like the oil change places telling you to change your oil every 3k. Good for your car, but overkill. IMO.. <------ Going into hiding now.
You do what you think is best for your car and pocket.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
Maybe I'm just lucky. But the only time I change my brake fluid is when I change the brakes on any of my cars. Zero brake failures in over 45 years and a ton of cars... I'll be changing the brakes on my 79 Corvette this winter. Will test the brake fluid before I change it. Might be OEM.. but still stops just fine. It just seems for a closed system.. if your getting high water content in your closed system, you have other issues to look into. Testing is the key.....
I'm sure I'll get rocks tossed at me, but 20k brake fluid change is like the oil change places telling you to change your oil every 3k. Good for your car, but overkill. IMO.. <------ Going into hiding now.
You do what you think is best for your car and pocket.
I'm sure I'll get rocks tossed at me, but 20k brake fluid change is like the oil change places telling you to change your oil every 3k. Good for your car, but overkill. IMO.. <------ Going into hiding now.
You do what you think is best for your car and pocket.
No rocks will come from me (at least big ones
). IMO as long as you have a consistent and trusted way to test, then changing based on an informed decision is acceptable (but god forbid if you recommend anything different that "manufacturers" suggested" intervals here, you will have rocks thrown at you, so I won't even participate in that debate). Coincidentally, I recently tested my wife's Lexus and her fluids tested at about 2.75% water content, so I'll be looking to do a flush next oil change and we're sitting at about 5.5 years on the original fluid.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
No rocks will come from me (at least big ones ). IMO as long as you have a consistent and trusted way to test, then changing based on an informed decision is acceptable (but god forbid if you recommend anything different that "manufacturers" suggested" intervals here, you will have rocks thrown at you, so I won't even participate in that debate). Coincidentally, I recently tested my wife's Lexus and her fluids tested at about 2.75% water content, so I'll be looking to do a flush next oil change and we're sitting at about 5.5 years on the original fluid.
). IMO as long as you have a consistent and trusted way to test, then changing based on an informed decision is acceptable (but god forbid if you recommend anything different that "manufacturers" suggested" intervals here, you will have rocks thrown at you, so I won't even participate in that debate). Coincidentally, I recently tested my wife's Lexus and her fluids tested at about 2.75% water content, so I'll be looking to do a flush next oil change and we're sitting at about 5.5 years on the original fluid.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 521
2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
Throw some rocks over this way ... I have rarely changed fluid on my cars and the brakes work well on all. I think automotive brakes have an immense margin of safety in ordinary use. The worst complaints you hear from people about their brakes are pad dusting and squealing. I think if you keep up with pad replacement and turn or replace rotors when needed you are most of the way home ...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 37
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
2013 C350 Coupe, 2005 C230K Kleemann Sedan, 2013 GLK350 4matic
Throw some rocks over this way ... I have rarely changed fluid on my cars and the brakes work well on all. I think automotive brakes have an immense margin of safety in ordinary use. The worst complaints you hear from people about their brakes are pad dusting and squealing. I think if you keep up with pad replacement and turn or replace rotors when needed you are most of the way home ...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 521
2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
Good point on the rotors, I don't know MB rotor specs (yet), but on my Porsche there's only a 2 MM difference between new and minimum thickness, and to machine them takes 1 MM off each side .... so effectively, Porsche rotors "cannot be turned" ... perhaps Mercedes is the same way?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 44
From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
I was thinking of having a mobile mechanic come out. $113.49 for labor.
The dealer want $235.
My concern is the moisture part of it.
Is there any advantage of using the dealer over a mobile mechanic?
The liquid is already brown.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 44
From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 608
Likes: 107
From: Western NC
2009 MB C300 Sport 4matic
The only reason I have used a Dealer in the past (rarely) has been when I thought the ABS accumulator/system needed flushing too since you needed usually proprietary software to activate the system in the shop. Will you supply the correct DOT 4 LV fluid or rely on the mobile mechanic to know what your MB requires ?
