Brake fluid replacement

[silliemillie]

Had my car serviced today by main dealer, they recommended I have the brake fluid replaced as the car is 2 years old.

Due to health issues/hospital stays the car has hardly been driven with just 3000 miles on the clock.

I'm not sure if its really necessary, do they just go by the fact the brake fluid is 2 years old or do they just go by the average milage (and therefore brake use).

I am so aware that some garages try to add on work so said no, but am worried not to have it done in case in case it really does need doing.

Many thanks for your opinions.

Millie

[cathfromsaron]

are the brake lines worn?
do the brakes work well?

2 years and low mileage, doesn't seem long ...

[silliemillie]

No Cath, theres nothing wrong with them & they work well

[Graham-W]

In my honest opinion there is absolutely no need for it, certainly not that early.
Yes, brake fluid is hydroscopic, but how much moist air can you get through the little hole to vent the reservoir and deposit its water in the fluid?
Also, how many people drive so hard on the road that there is a danger of boiling the brake fluid?
This is something new invented to create work. Brake fluid used to last the life of the car, or at least until a brake pipe or cylinder needed replacement.
Sorry, rant over.

[gingejbee]

It's usually done by age and not mileage, as the fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time.

[gingejbee]

...but I tend to agree with Graham, above.

[paddywak]

In more then forty years of driving the only time I've had to replace the brake fluid was years ago when I had to replace all the brake pipes on my old MGB

[silliemillie]

Thanks guys, common sense was telling me that, thats why I said no, so thats put my mind at rest. Its a Ford main dealer & they always seem to find something.
Last year they wanted to put a conditioner treatment in my air conditioning unit! That defo got a big flat NO from me.

[carrot99]

Just had my 3rd year service on my Fiat Panda and was told that the brake fluid had been used by 75% so I was using 25% per year and therefore, I should need it changing next year when the car is 4 yrs old. This sounded a bit dodgy so I had it replaced this year at a cost of about £52. This was by the Fiat dealer where I bought the car, sounds like I've been had!

[TWR]

It does not need to be changed.

[chas2008]

the manufacturer that we service vehicles for recomend a fluid change every 3 years, we dont force the customer into it we do give them the option. Its changed due to absorbing water (Ie hydroscopic) over a period of time which actually can be quite noticable giving the pedal a spongy feel and can also alter the boiling point of the fluid which is extremely important on high performance vehicles under heavy braking.
Im not quite sure how not doing it can invalidate your insurance, i have been in the body repair industry for many years and i have never seen an insurance engineer yet check the brake fluid viscosity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fluid