Brake fluid change - what a joke!
11-07-2007, 04:36 PM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC, NY
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i, 6sp, sport pack, nav, cold pack, active steer.
I went to my mechanic to do the 2 year recommended brake fluid change and I cannot believe how simple that job was. Next time I will do it myself. My mechanic was looking at me like I was mad and according to him this was not necessary as the antifreeze flush.
Does anybody have or can link me any maintanance manual for the 545i?
Does anybody have or can link me any maintanance manual for the 545i?
11-07-2007, 04:53 PM
#2
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 06 530XI Sapphire Black, Black Int. 6sp, Cold, Prem
My car is almost 2 years old and has 23,000 - Brake fluid needs to be changed alert just went off - covered under warranty but unusual..
11-07-2007, 05:12 PM
#3
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E90 330i + E60 550i
are you in the states? its free in the US.
Also, when you watched him do it, did he just suck out the fluid from the reservoir and pour some new fluid in? If so, you really didnt get a fluid change, the fluid has to be bled through the lines so the new fluid gets down to the caliper. Just pouring it in wont do the job.
Also, when you watched him do it, did he just suck out the fluid from the reservoir and pour some new fluid in? If so, you really didnt get a fluid change, the fluid has to be bled through the lines so the new fluid gets down to the caliper. Just pouring it in wont do the job.
11-08-2007, 04:32 AM
#5
Members
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Atlanta Georgia USA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i ALS, Nav, Cold Weather package, Premium package, Logic 7
The brake fluid is prone to absorb moisture (H2O) over time hence the reason to completely change it periodically. Too much moisture suspended in the brake fluid will make the pedal feel mushy and when the brakes are extremely hot the fluid will expand more than usual causing related problems in braking action.
11-08-2007, 06:25 AM
#6
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC, NY
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i, 6sp, sport pack, nav, cold pack, active steer.
He did it right, by draining at each caliper. I am off warranty, so the NYC BMW wanted $200+tax for this job, when this guy was $20 + $10 tip with my fluid.
11-08-2007, 06:37 AM
#7
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
Brake fluid is hydrophylic and as such can induce moisture and even rust into the system. As I think I recall, moisture is a threat mainly because water vapor will boil at high brake temps, causing bubbles in the lines--and weak hydraulic pressure.
At any rate, the alarm is based on calendar days, not miles, and yes, it is a simple job, especially with the right pumping equipment. How you are charged for it is another matter.
Cheers,
Ray
At any rate, the alarm is based on calendar days, not miles, and yes, it is a simple job, especially with the right pumping equipment. How you are charged for it is another matter.
Cheers,
Ray
11-08-2007, 09:01 AM
#8
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E90 330i + E60 550i
Originally Posted by Sasha' post='491690' date='Nov 8 2007, 10:25 AM
He did it right, by draining at each caliper. I am off warranty, so the NYC BMW wanted $200+tax for this job, when this guy was $20 + $10 tip with my fluid.
11-08-2007, 10:38 AM
#9
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by Sasha' post='491459' date='Nov 8 2007, 03:36 AM
I went to my mechanic to do the 2 year recommended brake fluid change and I cannot believe how simple that job was. Next time I will do it myself.
Just think of five things you could do wrong...
11-08-2007, 03:10 PM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to think it was not necessary to change the brake fluid either........until I almost crashed my old 1984 323i. As others have mentioned brake fluid does absorb moisture over time and when the brakes heat up (especially during spirited driving) the absorbed moisture turns into gas. Once it turns into a gas then unlike fluid it can be compressed.........so you apply the brakes which usually pushes the fluid directly onto the caliper pistons, but when there are gas pockets in the lines it just pushes and compresses the gas......which can GREATLY reduce the force that is actually applied to the caliper pistons/pads. Once I had that happen a couple of times on my 323i (almost crashing it once) I became a firm believer in changing the brake fluid once every two years at the latest.
If the car is not covered under the maintenance plan anymore you can change it yourself....it's pretty easy. You just need to have either a pump, or a vacuum depending on which method you use..........you can also have someone sit in the car and pump the brakes a couple of hundred times while you drain the fluid at the calipers.....good leg exercise.
It is also recommended that you don't use any unused brake fluid that has been stored in it's unsealed container for more than a couple of months as it will also absorb moisture.
If the car is not covered under the maintenance plan anymore you can change it yourself....it's pretty easy. You just need to have either a pump, or a vacuum depending on which method you use..........you can also have someone sit in the car and pump the brakes a couple of hundred times while you drain the fluid at the calipers.....good leg exercise.
It is also recommended that you don't use any unused brake fluid that has been stored in it's unsealed container for more than a couple of months as it will also absorb moisture.