25-08-2013, 08:31 PM
to end this one;
brake fluid is hygroscopic (it attracts moisture from the atmosphere ) so it changes its colour as it gets older due to the moisture its absorbing. the moisture is water, so the older it gets---the more diluted it becomes. before manufacturers started defining fluid change intervals, it was common to see seized wheel cylinders with pistons rusted in place---high water content in the fluid. all these bad things were happening before most of the forum were even born, so now we have fluid change intervals and higher spec tuff, we don't see it anymore.
fluid changes are done roughly every 2 years or 20k miles (which ever comes first) and don't put anything else in there---just the correct dot grade as told by a reputable manufacturer.
the results of putting other substances in the brake reservoir can be found by asking about ford fiesta brake recalls at any ford main dealer from about 1994 onwards..................some bright soul refilled fords fiesta manufacturing plant with the wrong stuff.
after a short while it ate the master cylinder seals causing brake failure. we were over-run with fiestas and ford ran out of master cylinder rebuild kits, complete master cylinders and also brake servos !!!! the following year the front flexy hoses started bursting, so they got recalled again................
at one point I had a keyboard with around 40--50 sets of customers keys, al waiting for parts---and those customers were in hire cars that ford were paying for !!!
finally just to give a moments thought;
I know that here is one on-line performance company selling dot 5 synthetic fluid to anybody who wants it, but mineral and synthetic fluids don't like each other do they ??
brake fluid is hygroscopic (it attracts moisture from the atmosphere ) so it changes its colour as it gets older due to the moisture its absorbing. the moisture is water, so the older it gets---the more diluted it becomes. before manufacturers started defining fluid change intervals, it was common to see seized wheel cylinders with pistons rusted in place---high water content in the fluid. all these bad things were happening before most of the forum were even born, so now we have fluid change intervals and higher spec tuff, we don't see it anymore.
fluid changes are done roughly every 2 years or 20k miles (which ever comes first) and don't put anything else in there---just the correct dot grade as told by a reputable manufacturer.
the results of putting other substances in the brake reservoir can be found by asking about ford fiesta brake recalls at any ford main dealer from about 1994 onwards..................some bright soul refilled fords fiesta manufacturing plant with the wrong stuff.
after a short while it ate the master cylinder seals causing brake failure. we were over-run with fiestas and ford ran out of master cylinder rebuild kits, complete master cylinders and also brake servos !!!! the following year the front flexy hoses started bursting, so they got recalled again................
at one point I had a keyboard with around 40--50 sets of customers keys, al waiting for parts---and those customers were in hire cars that ford were paying for !!!
finally just to give a moments thought;
I know that here is one on-line performance company selling dot 5 synthetic fluid to anybody who wants it, but mineral and synthetic fluids don't like each other do they ??