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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →While you likely know all about changing your vehicle’s oil and the recommended service intervals, one vital area that many drivers overlook is the brake fluid. But brake fluid wears out just like oil, and if you neglect this vital service, you’re only costing yourself even more in the long run.
But how do you know when to change your vehicle’s brake fluid, and how much should it cost you have to someone do it? The truth is that it varies quite a bit depending on what you drive, which is why we came up with this guide to walk you through everything you need to know to get your vehicle what it needs.
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How Long Does Brake Fluid Last?
Before you just take your vehicle to a repair shop or blindly follow their “recommended” service intervals, we highly recommend looking at your own vehicle’s service manual. The service manual will lay out just how long the brake fluid in your vehicle should last, and depending on what you drive, the intervals can vary quite a bit.
Vehicles that need brake fluid flushes the most often need it about once every two years or 30,000 miles, and vehicles with completely sealed systems shouldn’t ever need a brake fluid flush! So, look at your vehicle’s owner’s manual and see what it says.
#1 Best Overall
- Durable and Corrosion-Resistant : Featuring a corrosion-resistant probe, this brake fluid tester is designed for long-lasting performance. The durable construction ensures that the tool remains effective over time, even with frequent use, making it a reliable addition to your maintenance toolkit
- Fast and Accurate Measurements : This brake system sensor ensures quick and precise readings with an accuracy of ± 0.3%, covering a range of 0% - 4%. Whether you're checking DOT3, DOT4, or DOT5.1 fluids, this device offers reliable results, helping you easily maintain optimal brake performance
- Convenient Features : The brake fluid level sensor includes a data hold function, allowing you to capture and review readings easily. It also features a three-color backlight and buzzer alarm function, which will sound an alarm to remind you to change the brake fluid immediately when the humidity level exceeds the safety limit of 3%, providing additional convenience and safety
- Convenient Power and Operation : With its compact design, this brake fluid tester is easy to carry and store. It operates on 2x1.5V AAA batteries and functions well within a temperature range of 0-40°C. Its user-friendly design and quick measurement capabilities make it an essential tool for both professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts
- Customer Service : KAIWEETS Provides a 30-day free return and a 3-year warranty for each product. Lifetime technical support, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Enjoy faster and more efficient measurements with this brake fluid tester. Allowing you to promptly address any issues and ensure your vehicle’s braking system is always in top condition
If you can’t track down the owner’s manual in person, see if you can’t find a copy of it online. From there, reach out to several dealerships and see what they recommend for that vehicle. If multiple dealerships are telling you the same information, there’s a good chance it’s accurate.
4 Signs It’s Time To Change Your Brake Fluid
If you think it’s time to change your vehicle’s brake fluid, there are a few things you can check out to confirm or disprove your suspicion. Below we’ve highlighted four signs and symptoms that it’s time for your vehicle to get some new brake fluid.
1. Dirty Brake Fluid
While you can wait until you notice one of the following performance drops before changing your brake fluid, we recommend trying to get on top of things before that happens. One of the easiest ways to determine if your vehicle needs new brake fluid is to look at it!
Brake fluid should have a light-yellow color, and more importantly, it should be pretty transparent. When looking at brake fluid it should look clean. If the brake fluid in your vehicle has a brown or black appearance, or if it has anything floating around in it, it’s time for a fluid flush.
Rank #2
- Test the car brake fluid quality quickly to check whether it’s qualified, which can remind you to change the brake fluid when necessary to avoid traffic accident
- The LED indicators will show percentage of water in the brake fluid with 3 colors green yellow and red
- Calibrated for cars using DOT4 and DOT3 brake fluids (But DOT3 is almost replaced by DOT4 because DOT4 has better performance)
- Only takes seconds to know the results,very easy to use
- CE and RoHS approved. Protective cap included.Takes 1 x AAA/1.5V battery (not included)
2. Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it actively absorbs moisture from the air. This is beneficial for the brake system since it keeps components from rusting and wearing out, but it does affect braking performance.
Brake fluid works in a hydraulic system, when you push on one end it pushes the fluid so it pushes on the other side. It’s an incredibly effective system, but it only works if the fluid doesn’t compress. Fresh brake fluid doesn’t compress, but the more moisture it absorbs, the more it’ll start to compress.
This presents as a “soft” or a “spongy” brake pedal. It could also be air in the system, but if bleeding the brakes doesn’t solve the problem it’s time for a full fluid flush.
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While not every vehicle comes with the ability to turn on the ABS light with old or dirty brake fluid, some newer vehicles have sensors that will pick up on dirty or contaminated brake fluid.
Rank #3
- 15 Double-Ended brake fluid tester and coolant
- Gives you the peace of mind that your Brake fluid is good and is safely performing its proper function
- Identifies potential Brake fluid and coolant related problems before they occur -thereby ensuring your safety and fewer breakdowns
- Simply remove the test strip from the foil wrapper, Dip it into your Brake fluid then coolant/antifreeze, and 60 to 90 seconds later you will know the condition of your fluids. (Scientific proof)
- May save you from paying for an un-needed Brake fluid or coolant change
But while not every vehicle will turn the ABS light on for this, most vehicles will turn the light on for low brake fluid. But if the brake fluid is low, that means there’s a leak somewhere in the system you’ll need to find and repair before completing a full fluid flush.
4. Drop in Braking Performance
As brake fluid ages it picks up more moisture, allowing it to compress more, impacting braking performance. You may or may not notice this drop in performance right away, but when you need to stop on a dime, you want the best possible performance.
If you notice longer stopping distances, the problem could be old brake fluid, and you’ll need to address this immediately.
How Much Does It Cost To Change Brake Fluid?
The answer to this all depends on if you’re changing the brake fluid yourself or paying a professional mechanic to do it for you. If you’re paying a mechanic to complete the job, you should expect to spend between $80 and $120 for the job.
Rank #4
- WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS: The automotive brake fluid tester is a universal device for most vehicles. It can check the condition of DOT-3, DOT-4, DOT-5.1 brake fluids as well as most synthetic brake fluids. It is extremely easy for personal use and is widely used for private workshops, repair shops and car dealerships.
- EASY TO USE: The test procedure is fast and efficient and has a simple control panel. The backlight lights green at 0%-2% data (brake fluid is ready to use). At 2%-3%, the backlight turns yellow and the buzzer sounds slowly (brake fluid needs to be changed). The backlight is red and the buzzer sounds quickly when the data is greater than 3% (brake fluid needs to be changed immediately).
- EASY READING: high-sensitivity probe + audible alarm, instant display of results, large screen with three-color backlight, easy to read the measurement results whether day or night.
- FAST DETECTION: the detection process is fast and efficient, the control panel is simple and easy to use. Can quickly determine whether the brake fluid needs to be replaced after the background light reminder.
- EASY TO CARRY: the case is well structured, compact and fits well in your hand. You can take it with you when traveling without taking up too much space.
Of this cost about $20 to $25 comes down to the cost of the brake fluid, and the rest comes down to labor charges. Of course, this means if you complete the job yourself you should be able to do it for about $20 to $25!
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How To Change Brake Fluid
If you’re looking to save yourself some money and complete a brake fluid flush yourself, it’s not the most challenging job out there if you have a little mechanical know-how. The first thing you need to do is get the right fluid (more on that in a minute!) and get enough of it.
Most modern vehicles take about 32 ounces (1 quart) of brake fluid, but because you’ll need to flush out air pockets, we recommend getting double that so you won’t run out in the middle of the job.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Next, drain the fluid out of the system. One of the easiest ways to do this is to crack open a bleeder screw on one of the brakes. Have someone hold down the brakes while collecting the fluid and wait until the system drains.
Best Value
- Quality Materials: The frosted plastic housing provides excellent anti-slip performance, while the high-strength, abrasion-resistant nylon material ensures that brake fluid tester maintains good performance and extends its service life under frequent use or harsh environments
- Portable Design: The automotive brake pen is compact and lightweight, no cable connector design, easy to carry, will not take up much space. Only one AAA/1.5V battery is required (not included)
- Widely Used: The car brake tester is suitable for GM vehicles and a wide range of brake fluid types, capable of checking the condition of DOT-3, DOT-4, DOT-5.1 brake fluids and most synthetic brake fluids, ideal for professional inspections, workshops, garages and home use
- Easy to Read: The automotive brake fluid tester is equipped with five LEDs and a metal probe that is fully immersed in the brake fluid during the test, making it easy to accurately display the percentage of water in the brake fluid. When multiple LEDs are illuminated, the maximum reading is the final result
- Easy to Use: This brake fluid liquid tester is easy to operate, just press the top button and dip the probe into the test point to quickly test the water content of brake fluid. Note that metal additives in the brake fluid may cause the red light to come on
Don’t “pump” the brakes, just have someone hold it down until the system is empty. Next, close the bleeder screw and put in 32 ounces of fluid in the reservoir under the hood. Once the fluid is in the reservoir, you need to complete a full brake bleed before topping off the fluid.
Start with the passenger-side rear brake, move onto the driver-side rear brake, then the passenger-side front brake, and finish with the driver-side front brake. Top off the fluid, close up the system and you’re good to go!
Getting the Right Brake Fluid for Your Vehicle
Modern vehicles use one of four types of brake fluid, and it’s important to get the right type of brake fluid for your specific vehicle. The four types of brake fluid are DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1.
To figure out what type of brake fluid goes into your vehicle you need to look at your owner’s manual. If you don’t have the owner’s manual, you can try a Google search, but we recommend reaching out to a dealership for your specific vehicle for guaranteed accurate information.
Finally, while you can interchange some types of brake fluid since you’re completing a full brake fluid flush, it’s best to stick with the exact type the vehicle manufacturer recommends. This isn’t a time to get creative, just get the right stuff!
Final Thoughts
If you don’t know the last time your vehicle got a brake fluid flush, there’s a good chance it needs one. Take the time to go through the owner’s manual and see what it says for your vehicle, then look at your vehicle’s brake fluid.
If it’s time for a brake fluid flush, it’s not something you’ll want to put off for long. Not only can it lead to more expensive damages in the future, but if it’s negatively impacting brake performance it could be the difference between an accident and a near miss!
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