Had brake fluid replaced 14 months ago, 2,900 miles. I know, I know.... my TL in its later years is only driven 2-3k miles per year. Nevertheless, TL was in dealership for oil change, state inspection, and free car wash (lol). Upon inspection, they showed me brake fluid was dark, almost brown. No way this should happen in such a short period of time/use. I am curious if any of you have seen where the manufacturer warranties the brake fluid as defective?

 

Not that I ever heard.

 

Have never seen brake fluid go bad so fast before. Do you know what brand it was?

 

They probably just never replaced it. At best they drained and filled the reservoir. Or they dipped the piece of paper is someone else's fluid and shown it to you.

 

Im guessing they suctioned out the reservoir and just replaced that.

OR...before they replaced it, your fluid had never been changed in years. So...even after new fluid, all the contaminated stuff in the system tarnished the new fluid.

Brake fluid should be changed every 2-3yrs max. If not, it collects water and every internal steel/iron surface of the braking system starts rusting and seals start shedding/deteriorating (hence the dark colour of the fluid).

Changing the fluid helps...but...all that rust and seal material will end up re-suspending in the new fluid.

 

Also...how dark is it? do you have a photo?

Does your inspector just judge by colour? Brake fluid can get tarnished quickly, even if the car is well maintained. That's not unusual.

A brake fluid tester or test strip is usually what inspectors use to judge the condition.

 

Take a look at receipt to see what type of service you being charge for? If it call for brake "flush" meaning the entire system fluid should been new. If they posted it as " brake fluid replacement" they will be ok by just replace the fluid in your reservoir.

Just curious, why you decide to check the fluid 14 months later? If anything they will use that against you tho. This is why I check the fluid color right when I get home.

 

Just because its brown doesnt mean its bad as Bro said, also depends on the mechanics definition of replaced. Did they push through fluid to every corner and bleed til ran clear?

Keep in mind these "multipoint inspections" which are tacked on to state inspections are business drivers designed to get you to spend money. I wouldnt worry

 

Most dealers have "sample" oil that they show a customer even if it is not from their car; same with cabin and engine air filters. It's an easy way to upsell the service.

It is possible that the dealer was honest and the fluid is bad; best way is to check with a brake fluid tester strip or device that can measure water content of the fluid. Increased water content can lead to brake failure by rusting the components such as lines, VSA/ABS modulator, etc.

Full flush should remove all of the old fluid from all the lines and system and be replaced with clean fluid. Some shady places only replace the fluid in the container under the hood; it looks clean but the moisture mixes and darkens the fluid.

I personally use ATE DOT 4 brake fluid from FCPeuro. It has a lifetime warranty so when it's time to replace, they take the old fluid and refund you for the new purchase. Some brake fluid is only good for 1 year, some can last 3 years; it depends on the composition and climate.