brake fluid change

[shuggie]

had my car in today to have my spare key re- coded this should have been done when they put a new ECU unit in, but just happened to look at my service book before i took the car in and noticed that it say's the brake fluid MUST be changed every 2 years( the car is now 2 years old ) so i had words with the service manager and he said it was not part of the service its an extra and not essential to have it done its only a reccomendation so i said if its an extra why is it in the service schedule and why does it say on page 1 of the VW service manual that it MUST be changed every 2 years or the brakes could fail so not too happy with the answers from him i called VW c/ care who are not too chuffed to say the least as they discovered other issues with the service record they are going to contact the garage and get back to me, will keep you posted

[Issac Hunt]

Brake fluid change should be an extra to a service (not optional though!) as your service might not fall at the two year point.

[gamichea]

Brake fluid change should be an extra to a service (not optional though!) as your service might not fall at the two year point.

x2. My understanding is the water naturally absorbed by the brake fluid over time (not use) can cause corrosion in the ABS pump/control unit leading to failure. We are discussing a safety issue and an expensive part.

The service managers attitude/knowledge is deplorable. He deserves a good bo!!ocking, preferably three, one from shuggie, one from his dealer principal and another from VW.

[Philler Cap]

Brake fluid does indeed absorb water over time. I don't know how likely the corrosion issue is, but another potential problem is that the water in the fluid can boil under hard/sustained braking, leading to brake fade and a potentially dangerous situation. However, the amount of water absorbed depends on temperature and humidity over time and the effects depend on the type of braking, etc, so it is impossible to say exactly when the fluid should be changed. Two years is the common recommendation but, in a way, the service manager is right and the use of the word MUST in the handbook is a bit heavy. However, where safety is concerned, VW will obviously err on the cautious side.

[shuggie]

According to the service manual it can cause a vacuum in the system and thats why they say it should be changed. And as if it had slipped his mind he also informed me that the car was to be recalled for 2 faults, 1 fuel pump to be changed, 2 gearbox oil to be changed, so am glad thats getting done under warranty

[angus]

Surely if the manufacturers spent a few quid more and filled the hydraulic braking system with silicon-based brake fluid which ISN`T hygroscopic, we would need to get it changed every two years.

But that would be one shafting less for their `valued customers`.

[shuggie]

got a letter back from VW today to say that the brake fluid change is only a recommendation, and as your car was 2 years old in june 08 then it should be changed not the answer i was looking for, this looks like a get out clause to me, the manual says MUST be changed so if you dont have it changed and something goes wrong then what, i think it should have been changed when they did the pre sale service now that the car is sold they dont give a sh-t