#Brake fluid change cost manual#

#Brake fluid change cost manual#

As a rule, whatever fluid is specified by the owner’s manual or the brake fluid cap is the fluid that should be used.Īs far as compatibility, they can be mixed, but it’s usually not done unless the correct fluid is unavailable. The brake fluid replacement costs for both are about the same. This is for brand new fluid from a sealed container. The boiling point of the first is 401 degrees, and the boiling point of the second is 446 degrees. It happens pretty rarely, but is well worth the maintenance to avoid.Įxcess moisture in the brake fluid can also cause corrosion in the brake components this is also a situation well worth avoiding. If the brake fluid boils, the water in the fluid becomes a gas that compresses, with the effect that the brakes no longer work. A great deal of heat is generated when braking, and some of this heat will transfer through brake components into the fluid. One of the most important qualities of brake fluid is its high boiling point, and its effective boiling point drops quickly as it absorbs moisture. This vent, along with the regular cycling of fluid levels, results in the air circulating within the master cylinder reservoir, where the brake fluid absorbs moisture from it. Master cylinder caps are generally vented, so this fluid displacement can’t result in a pressure or vacuum in the reservoir, which would incline the system to draw air in past the seals elsewhere.

Also, each time the brakes are applied, the level of the fluid goes down a little, then back up when they are released. The level of brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir steadily drops as brake pads wear and more fluid is taken up in the calipers. Because of the way that braking systems work, completely sealing the fluid away from the atmosphere isn’t practical. Both are polyglycol ether fluids, which are inherently hygroscopic, which is to say that they absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Why a Brake Fluid Flush is RecommendedĪlmost all automobiles use either DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid in their braking systems. Prices are usually about the same for all the different ways of doing the job, although a shop on the higher end of the price scale is more likely to have fancier equipment that gets the job done faster. The result should be about the same in all cases. The general brake fluid flush cost range is from $80 to $150.

In some cases, a vehicle with a large brake fluid reservoir, such as some ¾ ton trucks, costs a little more as it takes more fluid. How much it costs to change brake fluid is pretty straightforward and usually a set price in most shops regardless of the vehicle.