So, I’ve been thinking about this whole brake fluid flush thing. Is it really necessary, or just another way for mechanics to squeeze more money out of us? I decided to find out for myself.
I started digging around, trying to figure out what this brake fluid flush is all about. I found some info that says it’s supposed to help with braking performance. Makes sense, I guess. Fresh fluid should work better than old, gunky stuff, right?
I decided to take a look at my own car’s brake fluid. I popped open the hood and found the brake fluid reservoir. It was a bit tricky to find, but after a few minutes, I located it. The fluid inside looked pretty dark and murky. Not a good sign. I figured it couldn’t hurt to change it out.
I went to the auto parts store and picked up some new brake fluid. Then, I got down to business. I used a turkey baster to suck out the old fluid from the reservoir. It was pretty nasty looking. I poured in the new fluid, making sure to keep an eye on the level.
Next, I had to bleed the brakes. This is where it got a bit more complicated. I had to go to each wheel and loosen the bleeder screw, then pump the brakes until the new fluid came out. It was a bit of a messy process, but I managed to get it done.
After I was finished, I took the car for a test drive. I have to say, the brakes felt a lot firmer and more responsive. I guess that fresh fluid really did make a difference. I did a few hard stops, and the car stopped on a dime. I was pretty impressed.
Here’s what I learned from this little experiment:
- Brake fluid does get old and gunky.
- Changing it out can improve braking performance.
- It’s not that hard to do yourself, but it can be a bit messy.
- I don’t think I was able to fully remove all the old fluid but I guess it’s good enough.
- It’s probably a good idea to flush your brake fluid every couple of years, just to be safe.
So, is a brake fluid flush a waste of money? I don’t think so. It seems like it’s a pretty important part of car maintenance. And if you’re even a little bit handy, you can probably do it yourself and save some cash.
Conclusion
In the end, I’m glad I did the brake fluid flush. My brakes feel better, and I have peace of mind knowing that my car is in good working order. I think it was worth the time and effort. It definitely felt like I was doing something good for my car, and I’m happy with the results. Also, I realized that my brake fluid has probably never been changed for years, so yeah it definitely needed to be done. I saved a ton of money as well doing it myself, even though it was a bit of a hassle. I would suggest you do this too.
