I take it you've never done it.
Bleeding brakes (car or bike) can be a right pain in the backside for folk that know what they're doing, never mind beginners.
Spend the £37.00, that's a bargain.

 

Until recently, brake fluid changes were only carried out very infrequently and usually when other brake work was being done. It’s only in the last few years that the higher dot, supposedly superior brake fluid, has to be changed every two years.

It really is a case of scaring motorists into giving car service departments more money. After all, who’s going to take chances with their brakes?

It really is a con and brake fluid in a sealed system can’t take on water they isn’t in the system and doesn’t degrade to the extent that it needs changing frequently.

 

Until recently, brake fluid changes were only carried out very infrequently and usually when other brake work was being done. It’s only in the last few years that the higher dot, supposedly superior brake fluid, has to be changed every two years.

BMW have been recommending a bi-annual brake fluid flush for decades. Frequent changes are essential if you track the car or drive hard. Any moisture at all can degrade brake performance.

I had a 1990 535i where the previous owner had not done the fluid flushes for six years. I had a left front calliper stick from corrosion due to contaminated brake fluid.

That’s assuming that the whole system gets flushed; I’m not convinced that anything more than the fluid in the reservoir gets changed.

Used correctly, a pressure bleeder will get the reservoir, the master cylinder, most of the brake lines and the wheel cylinders. On many cars you need a service computer to open up the valves to the ABS pump. Otherwise the fluid in there does not get flushed out.

LEAF has a complex brake system. I'd check the manual, but I would guess you will need a service computer to do the work properly.

 

Completely agree with the above.

Put your money into a decent brake fluid testing device, and see for yourself if it actually needs to be changed. It is a very simple test to be done and should be a check with the right tool, it should NOT be an automatic fluid change, which is environmentally damaging.

If everyone really did get their brake fluid changed every few years unnecessarily then that is 10's of millions of litres of perfectly good brake fluid that needs to be processed in the UK every year.

Environmental concerns have gone bananas. People fixate on a perceived problem and then ignore the real issues.

The brake fluid change is merely a ruse to get you into the dealer because there's nothing to actually service on your car. I will be writing to Kia making these same points as there is a useless 20,000 mile brake fluid change added to the Soul service. That's like a one year old fluid for most people. Absolutely potty.

 

If everyone really did get their brake fluid changed every few years unnecessarily then that is 10's of millions of litres of perfectly good brake fluid that needs to be processed in the UK every year.

That’s assuming that the whole system gets flushed; I’m not convinced that anything more than the fluid in the reservoir gets changed.

 

Thirded.
Brake fluid can last a lot longer than they'd have you believe.
Utter con to make money for service departments.

 

I have one of those brake fluid tester pens (except I only paid about £2 for it off aliexpress).

I did a test on the leaf and it was all the way in the red 'change urgently' zone, despite it having a major service 18 months ago where they supposedly change the brake fluid. This surprised me a lot.

I did the test on my old 2008 ICE, which I believe has never had the fluid changed to my knowledge unless it is done part of a service (I normally just go for minor service each year but a few years back did a major service). Anyway that one was green light no problemo.

I know a guy who's into cars, he said its easy to do yourself, something about needing a 2nd person to press the brakes to bleed them while you siphon the fluid out from a nipple behind each wheel. On reflection I'll just pay the £37 for a Halfords job as long as they are going to do it properly flushing the whole thing.

 

I know a guy who's into cars, he said its easy to do yourself, something about needing a 2nd person to press the brakes to bleed them while you siphon the fluid out from a nipple behind each wheel. On reflection I'll just pay the £37 for a Halfords job as long as they are going to do it properly flushing the whole thing.

There are brake bleeding kits where you can do it yourself. But agree get a garage to do it - provided they actually do do it that is.

Edit - after re-reading the thread I notice no-one ever answered your question - what spec is the brake fluid.

 

I think it is now tested for moisture during mot

 

I think it is now tested for moisture during mot

At the calipers??

 

I couldn't find the answer but it's definitely being checked for 'contamination'

 

A quick google search said the LEAF uses DOT 3 but I would't trust a random blog entry.

One safe DIY option would be buying the correct fluid from a NIssan dealer.

 

Says DOT 3 on the reservoir cap , any quality brand will be fine .

 

Yes it says DOT 3 on the cap on my leaf.

I have called Halfords and they said they do indeed take off the wheels and drain the brake fluid properly and the £37 includes that service and the new fluid, quite a bargain.

I intend to rotate the wheels every two years (due to excess wear on rear tyres) so I can get that done as part of the £37 brake fluid change (which is also a two year cadence).

 

Never really understood wheel rotation.
If you intend to get rid of the car before some of the tyres need replacing, fair enough I suppose.
But if you're keeping the car, you'll just have to shell out for four tyres at some point instead of two...?

 

You keep them matched in rotational size and type.

Some cars are very sensitive to tyres F/R that have different rolling radii. My Subaru's VCD did, as does Ampera.

When you swap an axle set you end up with different grip characteristics front to back, which leads to lesser stability. When you swap the lot you preserve the intended handling behaviour.

 

Ooh, oversteer, I like oversteer.
ESC off on the way home it is (assuming no-one around etc. of course)

 

Mind if you are DIY'ing the brake fluid change start with the furthest away wheel to the resovoir working closer as you go. There is only about a cupful in the system so a 1lt bottle is ideal just in case Takes two people without a bleed kit remembering to keep an eye on the resovoir so that it does not get low when pumping through the new fluid. Dirt cheap to accomplish, quick to do and peace of mind Cheers

 

I like getting my hands dirty, have a fearsome selection of tools at home etc.
Changing brake fluid is the absolute worst job I can imagine, I'll avoid it at all costs.
I'm not scared of doing it, I just hate it.

 

Changing brake fluid is the absolute worst job I can imagine,

You've never changed the water pump on a Saab 99 then. The 99 used a Triumph 4-cylinder engine installed back to front. Yes, the clutch and flywheel were at the front of the car. You might be able to imagine where that put the water pump.