Brake fluid change

[john from Staffs]

I have today received a post card from the dealer who sold me the car new on Jan 26 2006 telling me that my brake fluid should be changed.

The car has done 22,000 miles and the cap has never in my presence been taken off the fluid reservoir. I am aware that brake fluid is hygroscopic, but never in the previous 40 years have I had the brake fluid changed this early.

Who is trying to kid whom?

with best regards to all hydrophilics

john from Staffs

[Badger61]

Water contamination of brake fluid is by osmosis,the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, particularly flexi brake pipes and not via the reservoir cap. Audi have recently changed the recomended interval to three years on latest models,A5 and Q7.It's your choice if you want it changed they are only advising as to the manufacturers recommended change interval. Personaly I don't skip on servicing braking systems.

[john from Staffs]

Many thanks for your quick reply. It had not occurred to me that the flex pipes could be considered as a semi-permeable membrane but if that's the way ir goes so be it. I take your point about not short cutting brake servicing, but will wait to see if I can get a good deal on a VW Tiguan which I have booked a test drive in when the local dealer gets one. I think at the low mileage I'm probably in a low risk area at present.

Thanks again.

jfS

[Roley140]

I have regularly been asked this by my Audi dealers having had 3 Audis, and whilst I appreciate that there is truth in the fact that brake fluid absourbs moisture, trying to get customers to pay quite a large sum of money to change the brake fluid at 2 years is what I would call a scam. Still I suppose it must work on some people !

[Badger61]

As I said this is a manufacturers recomendation at 2 years to replace the brake fluid due to it's hydroscopic properties which can effect the brake performance. It makes me laugh the ammount of times that people skimp on servicing the most important part of a vehicle.What do you consider a "large sum of money"? It's less than £100 on a vehicle which was probably around £25k.At the end of the day it's your choice the centre can only advise you, if they didn't and you had an accident because your brake fluid boiled under braking who would you blame for not bringing the fluid change to your attention at service time??

[scoliosis]

Isn't brake fluid changes covered under the maintenance program? Not sure if it's available in the UK, but upto 2006 A4s in the US includes maintenance for 55k miles like the BMW Ultimate Service program. I just had my brake fluid changed at no cost to me.

[john from Staffs]

Thanks and welcome to the forum.

Just checked the service schedule and it says every 24 months, and is not included in the items detailed in the services. Yankies 1 Limeys 0

john from Staffs

[Badger61]

Lots of differences in the US, 1st service free of charge due at 5000 miles or 12 months, 4 years or 50000 mile new car warranty.


When you purchase a new Audi 2007 or newer model year vehicle, you have the opportunity to purchase Audi Care, a comprehensive new vehicle scheduled maintenance service plan. The cost may be rolled into your vehicle payment, or, if you prefer, you may purchase the plan any time within 12 months or 12,000 miles after you purchase your Audi.
Audi Care covers the manufacturer-required regularly scheduled maintenance services at 15,000 miles, 25,000 miles, 35,000 miles, and 45,000 miles, or 5 years from the original vehicle in-service date, whichever comes first.


And in the UK

To allow you to enjoy your Audi long after the first day that you drive it home, Audi Finance can offer you a fixed-cost maintenance plan that allows you to budget for the cost of repairs or servicing.

There are three different plans to choose between and each can be for a period of either two, three or four years. The start date can be flexible too as you can apply for a fixed-cost maintenance plan at any time up to the vehicle's first 10,000 miles, providing it is not more than one year old.

A fixed-cost maintenance plan goes a long way towards achieving budgeted motoring, whilst providing the best possible care for your Audi.

The three different plans that are available are:

• Service;
• Service and maintenance; and
• Service, maintenance and tyres.

Key benefits

• A simply budgeted payment plan
• Total care of your vehicle
• Maintains a full service history from a Audi retailer to help keep its value for when you come to sell or part-exchange it
• Regular safety checks
• Flexibility through choice of plans and mileage options