Change brake fluid?

Dr. Jimbo · 03-21-2007, 04:06 PM

I'm due for my 50k-ish service and the owners manual says to change the brake fluid. Never done it on any other car I've had (didn't know the stuff went bad). Should I do it or will my brakes give out on some steep, windy mountain road and I'll be forced to e-brake my way to a death defying stop. I figured you guys know best.
Thanks,
Jimbo

batguano · 03-21-2007, 04:56 PM

You can find answers to that and much more here.
Good luck.
S2000 Do-it-yourself mods & repairs - S2000 Atlanta

gomarlins3 · 03-21-2007, 05:09 PM

No, your brakes will not stop working on you, but they will not work the way they are designed to. Changing the brake fluid is not that hard, but if you are not comfortable with the 'press and hold' method, take it to a professional. Just a reminder, the S is not bleed like normal cars where you start at the furthest caliper from the reservoir and work your way closer. You start at the closest and work your way away. I am not sure why this is, but I have read about it at S2Ki and also in the Helm's manual.

Dr. Jimbo · 03-21-2007, 05:11 PM

WOW! Great link. I'll go there before I ask any dumb questions. Us forum newbies sometimes ask redundant questions and you guys that have been around the block a few times probably get tired of answering the same stuff over & over. I try to locate answers before posting a question, but my forum navigation skills are still in their infancy.
I clcked on "manually changing the brake fluid" and it said "not found." Bummer. I guess it's just best to get'r done.
Thanks,
Jimbo

bjurasz · 03-21-2007, 05:35 PM

I first used these ten years ago when doing HPDE's in a Corvette. Changing the brake fluid before every event, 5-6 times a year, got old. This makes it very easy:

Speed Bleeder Bleeding Brakes Bleeding Motorcycle Brakes Automotive Bleeder Screw Brake Bleeder

I now have them on my Mazda Tribute and soon to install on my S2K. You'll want part numbers SB10125 front and rear.

Brake fluid absorbs water, even humidity from the air. Past seals, from the resevoir, etc. That is one thing that makes it go bad. Heat is the other, and brakes generate a lot of heat (its their job to turn the motion energy of the car into heat energy, thus stopping the vehicle).

Dr. Jimbo · 03-22-2007, 10:09 AM

Thanks, you answered my question about the stopping juice. So it actually does go bad, the fact that brake fluid is a hydrophilic liquid. Another mystery solved.

03-21-2007, 04:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dr. Jimbo Don't taze me bro! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca. Posts: 831	Change brake fluid? I'm due for my 50k-ish service and the owners manual says to change the brake fluid. Never done it on any other car I've had (didn't know the stuff went bad). Should I do it or will my brakes give out on some steep, windy mountain road and I'll be forced to e-brake my way to a death defying stop. I figured you guys know best. Thanks, Jimbo

03-21-2007, 05:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
gomarlins3 "Enjoy the drive" Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kuna Idaho Posts: 2,226	No, your brakes will not stop working on you, but they will not work the way they are designed to. Changing the brake fluid is not that hard, but if you are not comfortable with the 'press and hold' method, take it to a professional. Just a reminder, the S is not bleed like normal cars where you start at the furthest caliper from the reservoir and work your way closer. You start at the closest and work your way away. I am not sure why this is, but I have read about it at S2Ki and also in the Helm's manual. __________________ Happiness is a nice road, great weather, and driving the S with Sue in the seat next to me. "Whatever you do, where ever you go, enjoy the drive." I know for a FACT that the last year of production of the S2000 is 2003!!!!! After that, it will be the S2200 under an assumed name.

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03-21-2007, 04:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
batguano Andiamo Veloce Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grittsburg NC Posts: 336	You can find answers to that and much more here. Good luck. S2000 Do-it-yourself mods & repairs - S2000 Atlanta

03-21-2007, 05:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dr. Jimbo Don't taze me bro! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca. Posts: 831	WOW! Great link. I'll go there before I ask any dumb questions. Us forum newbies sometimes ask redundant questions and you guys that have been around the block a few times probably get tired of answering the same stuff over & over. I try to locate answers before posting a question, but my forum navigation skills are still in their infancy. I clcked on "manually changing the brake fluid" and it said "not found." Bummer. I guess it's just best to get'r done. Thanks, Jimbo

03-21-2007, 05:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
bjurasz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 132	I first used these ten years ago when doing HPDE's in a Corvette. Changing the brake fluid before every event, 5-6 times a year, got old. This makes it very easy: Speed Bleeder Bleeding Brakes Bleeding Motorcycle Brakes Automotive Bleeder Screw Brake Bleeder I now have them on my Mazda Tribute and soon to install on my S2K. You'll want part numbers SB10125 front and rear. Brake fluid absorbs water, even humidity from the air. Past seals, from the resevoir, etc. That is one thing that makes it go bad. Heat is the other, and brakes generate a lot of heat (its their job to turn the motion energy of the car into heat energy, thus stopping the vehicle).

03-22-2007, 10:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dr. Jimbo Don't taze me bro! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca. Posts: 831	Thanks, you answered my question about the stopping juice. So it actually does go bad, the fact that brake fluid is a hydrophilic liquid. Another mystery solved.