brake fluid testers and bf renewal

I've used the gunson one and can't fault it.

A completely different colour normally. Sort of not dark brown & opaque colour like the old stuff.

Nope, it's completely low tec, just buy whatever's recommended for your car (synthetic DOT4 IIRC). If you don't have someone to help then an easibleed's the simplest solution.

Take it to a garage, pay £30. It's one of those "it's not worthwhile doing it yourself" jobs on anything remotely modern especially with ABS. You should have it done every 2 years. Brake fluid is hygroscopic meaning it absorbs moisture. Water in brake fluid is a bad thing which is why you change it every two years. For the pitiful amount it costs, it's not worth missing it.

Thanks. Does it discolour due to absorbing the moisture over two years then? Is it best to save money and not buy a tester and just get it replaced every two years or should you check it every now and again with a tester? Thanks.

Yes, Haynes said to be careful not to let the reservoir run dry for fear of fouling the ABS. Only £30? I didn't realise garages could be so cheap! ;)

Brake fluid is cheap, testers are not. Every maker says change the fluid every two or three years, so why not just follow the maker's instructions?

If you are particularly obsessive and live in a very damp place then get a tester.

There is, however, the risk of one or more brake nipples shearing off when you do this, requiring a new calipers and/or wheel cylinder.

Never had this problem on a car which has had regular fluid changes. One which hasn't been touched until something goes wrong, yes.

"Dave Plowman (News)" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Indeed. Poor maintenance causes problems.

When buying a used car, who knows how often the fluid's been changed?

Assume that, with lack of evidence to the contrary, like cambelts it hasn't.

Conor gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Indeed. How do you know ANY maintenance has been carried out when buying a used car? It's fairly easy to check visually how old the brake fluid is.

When you get a car it may have a service book with the info in, but I would always budget to do any service stuff I was not sure had been done. Usually straight away would be an oil change if in doubt and a general check over, cam belt unless I was really sure of its age very soon, brake fluid and antifreeze within a year.

I must admit I am dubious about changing air bags every ten years :) likewise seat belt pretensioners.

Well Bosch ahve extended it to 15years anyway :-) It's just not very widely publicised. (Lurking in an Erwin service bulletin I got)

If it has a service history, I'd hope at the maker's recommendation. If no history buyer beware.

"Dave Plowman (News)" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Mmm. A dealer history's SO trustworthy...

Whilst agreeing that most dealers are charlatans, on a reasonably new car it at least sort of proves the mileage. One without *will* have been clocked.