Servicing

[Colin Graburn]

When should the brake fluid be replaced on my 2021 vw ocean?
I have done 20,000 miles & is due for an oil change & wandered if anything else should be done at this service interval

 

[scottk]

It is every 2 years if you go by the recommended service intervals.

 

[Perfectos]

Get the fluid tested. (Or get a tester for yourself)

The two year interval is a cash cow for dealers and is not environmentally friendly in any way

30 seconds is all that is required to check the health of the brake fluid.

 

[Perfectos]

Brake fluid change

Hi some advice please, just looking a booking my 6.1 jan 24 Cali in for its 2nd year service (as part of the free 5 plus plan ) My query is when looking to book online the service it states my brake fluid is due changing, add for £99. I find this somewhat premature at 2 years and just 16k...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Colin Graburn]

Don’t understand why VW can’t test for moisture? so looks like I will buy a tester myself can anyone recommend one

 

[Perfectos]

Don’t understand why VW can’t test for moisture? so looks like I will buy a tester myself can anyone recommend one

They are very very inexpensive and available from places like Halfords, Amazon. Temu, etc

 

[Steve North]

Get the fluid tested. (Or get a tester for yourself)

The two year interval is a cash cow for dealers and is not environmentally friendly in any way

30 seconds is all that is required to check the health of the brake fluid.

That’s fine, but that will only test the fluid in the reservoir, it won’t test the fluid at the business end in the calipers where all the heating and cooling goes on. So it stands to reason that the condition of the fluid degrades at its highest near the wheels as the fluid doesn’t circulate around the system, instead just being pushed backwards and forwards as the brakes are pressed and released.

You’ll find that most if not all motor manufacturers state a two year brake fluid change, however you could have this changed by a non-franchised repairer, or even do it yourself if capable, just remember to include copies of invoices in your service history to evidence that it’s been done in the suggested timeframe

 

[Perfectos]

That’s fine, but that will only test the fluid in the reservoir, it won’t test the fluid at the business end in the calipers where all the heating and cooling goes on. So it stands to reason that the condition of the fluid degrades at its highest near the wheels as the fluid doesn’t circulate around the system, instead just being pushed backwards and forwards as the brakes are pressed and released.

You’ll find that most if not all motor manufacturers state a two year brake fluid change, however you could have this changed by a non-franchised repairer, or even do it yourself if capable, just remember to include copies of invoices in your service history to evidence that it’s been done in the suggested timeframe

That's not quite how it works is it.

water content increasing is what degrades the fluid the fastest. Fact.

The fluid is Hygroscopic. Fact.

how does the water gets to the "Business end " without affecting the whole of the fluid ?

If I follow your logic the open end avoids degradation (I.e fluid in reservoir) but the furthest point from the open end deteriorates at a faster rate than the fluid in the reservoir? And the fluids somehow remain chemically separate in different parts of the system

Manufacturers specify a fixed term for replacement, that term is based on the worst possible case scenario with a healthy dollop of safety margin built in.

You do whatever suits you, but you cannot change the laws of physics like you suggest.

Testing of Fluid is a legitimate and industry recognised way to check the health of the fluid. Fact.

Heat does play a part in degradation as does dirt and contaminants, but that is highly unlikely to become a problem within two years when talking about the context of a camper van

 

[Beaker]

I am assuming the fluid is worst by the brakes due to water getting in past the seals as the fluid does not circulate, it just gets compressed.
If that is the case then drain a bit off from a rear brake and test that.

 

[pjm-84]

I have tester....brake fluid all good on the Volvo at the filler end...perfect!.... 3years down the line, still all perfect, so in the end I did a fluid change. Easy job with a pressure bleeder and its did make a difference to the brake feel.