Brake work recommendations - to flush or not?

I changed the brake fluid for the first time last year on my 20 year old Mustang. It had a slightly brown tint to it. Made it easy to see when I was at new fluid.

Didn't feel a difference in the brakes and the car has never had a caliper or brake line go bad... IMO every 2 years is overkill. But I also change my oil every 10K.

 

$189.95.

They also tried to get me $73.44 to replace the cabin air filter, $54 to replace the wiper blades, and $87 to clean the battery and put in new pads.

The pre-purchase package for regular services is a good deal, and apparently they make it up with the add-ons. Maybe I'll find someone else to do my brakes.

 

Wow. $54 to replace the wiper blades...

 

Inspection of brake fluid fluid should include checking the water content. It should be changed at greater than 3% water content.

I'm more cautious on my OR with the electro hydraulic system compared to vacuum systems. It more sensitive to water and the cost of issues is far higher.

 

Cabin Air Filter: costs $12, takes 5 minutes to replace without any tools required:

$14 FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, CF10374 for Dodge/Toyota Vehicles

Amazon.com: FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, CF10374 for Dodge/Toyota Vehicles : Automotive
Wiper blades: costs $23 and takes 5 minutes to replace without any tools required:

$23 MOTIUM 22"+20" Super Silicone Windshield Wiper Blades, Fit for J hook Wiper Arms (set of 2)

Amazon.com: MOTIUM 22"+20" Super Silicone Windshield Wiper Blades, Fit for J hook Wiper Arms (set of 2) : Automotive
Battery pads: costs $6 for a set of 12 (so you can repeat this process 5 more times). Tools required: baking soda, toothbrush, rags. Takes 5 minutes to clean/replace:

$6 12 Pieces Battery Terminal Anti Corrosion Washers Fiber Battery Terminal Protector(Green, Red)

Amazon.com: 12 Pieces Battery Terminal Anti Corrosion Washers Fiber Battery Terminal Protector(Green, Red) : Automotive

That last one, charging $87 to replace a $1 part and about 5 minutes worth of scrubbing the battery terminals is especially egregious.

Brake fluid flush and replace is NOT part of maintenance schedule.

I personally wouldn't take my business to a dealership that tries to rip me off. I find it offensive and insulting, and would not reward them with a return trip.

 

Given that they charged me $30 for the inserts, that seems cheap

 

OEM PART:
Windshield Wiper Blade Refill
Part Number: 85214-0E140 $9.89, you would need two, $20

Cabin Air Filter - Toyota (88508-01010) $37.20


Quick search of the cost of parts at my local dealership.

 

Yeah I bought the inserts at the dealer and had ordered the other items before they returned the truck to me. I have one more pre-paid service with them, but it's probably time to find an independent shop.

 

So I had my 2nd gen for 12 years and never changed the brake fluid, and it was still clear. I never even opened the cap. I figured it was a sealed system so why expose it to the air unless it was leaking.

 

Yeah, I'd say usage matters. For your everyday Tacoma, probably not necessary as you're likely never going to get to the point of boiling your brake fluid. If you regularly tow a large trailer, maybe at the two year mark? Porsche recommends 2 years across many (maybe all) of their vehicles. My track bikes get flushed every 6 months.

 

I GOT THIS

ITS HYGROSCOPIC DUMMY.




I had someone correct me about this 15 years ago in front of an entire seminar. It was awful.

 

Correct. My theory is many years ago some absent minded professor spelled hydro wrong and the masses went with it from that day forward because a “perfesser” can’t be wrong.

 

I blame speech to text.

 

I was just looking at some of those brake fluid test meters. Never used one but not so expensive so may buy one and use it. In a few more years.

 

You can get test strips as well.

 

It's almost as if a $8 bottle of fluid every 2-3 years is equally cost effective, very interesting.

 

Yeah but then there’s the labor for flushing …

 

I was looking at those as well. seems almost all the strips are for measuring corrosion, only saw one brand of strips for moisture in a brief search. Did see this article where moisture strips could absorb moisture from the air so could be quesrionable trying to measure 2% moisture in brake fluid.
https://www.brakebleeder.com/solutions/brake-fluid-testing/resources/copper-vs-water/
I’m just learning about this stuff I only play a brake fluid tester investigator on TW, in real life I’ve always went by color. Which I do concede might be helpful regarding corrosion but couldn’t tell squat about moisture.
I watched a few youtube videos on moisture meters, one said to test the meter is working by measuring new brake fluid and showed one bottle was 1% or less. another measured 4 new bottles and all were 2% .. with a flush recommendation of 3% that’s either wrong reading or the fluid is poor quality. I would say the meters suspect in that case.

 

Last time I checked gravity didn't charge labor.

 

lol you do realize while humorous that makes no sense right?