meiwah98

I just got a coupon to change the brake fluid on my '02 996. Dealer recommneds every 2 years. Special price is $169.00

1) Do I really need to change brake fluid every 2 years? My mileage is 15,000.

2) Is $169 a good price for our cars? Or can I take it to an independent?

Thanks.

1999Porsche911

If you don't track the car, once every 3-4 years is all you need if you have no symptoms of spongy brake pedal. Every 2 years is overkill for most drivers. For street driving, the rule of thumb barring any symptoms, is with brake pad change.

djantlive

I do it every 2-3 yrs. There is a risk of rusting the ABS sensor as well as inefficient braking. It's not end of the world but I'd do it every 3 yrs for sure instead of waiting until pad change (usually 4-5 yrs depending on mileage).

Eli K

A lot depends on the fluid you run. Since you don't track the car, every couple of years should be just fine...

mpupo

I just my brake fluid changed yesterday for $99 at my local Porsche Dealer, $169 could be a little high.

Sloth

Its every two years regardless of mileage if you want to follow the factory recomendation. You could drive zero miles and the brake fluid is still going to absorb water.

ltc

Yup,
My 996TT sat in storage for 16 months (don't ask); brake fluid was flushed pre and post storage....zero miles on the fluid.
As has been said, it's all about moisture content.
I run stock fluid in the 996TT and I run Castrol SRF ($70/can) in the track appliance; same rule applies to both.

djantlive

My dealer sells the Porsche brake fluid at $23/bottle. It's good for one flush plus some left over. $99 seems very good price! You can also do it yourself or have an independent shop do it.

Eli K

Yes, if you have a bleeder or someone to pump the brakes it's a VERY easy starter DIY project.

LVDell

What about the ABS? I bleed my system everytime I change pads as well as track weekends when I already have the wheels off but for a TRUE flush I heard that you cannot just pump the brakes or use a power bleeder because of the ABS.

THX911

Just to emphasize what Sloth said and explain the science of Brake fluids. Brake fruid is a Hygroscopic liquid which mean it absorbs water over time. Not only will this affect your braking over time but the moisture lowers the boiling point of the fluid and causes internal corrosion in the brake system.

Change it every two year irrelevant of mileage, track use, etc...

ltc

Yes, in order to do a full flush of the system (racing ABS or the 964 C4 ABS included), you need a PST2, Bosch Hammer or PIWIS in order to control the channels.
However, even if you don't do this, the small amount of brake fluid left in these channels compared to the rest of the system, by volume, should not make a great difference, but it should be done nonetheless.

LVDell

Thanks for the 4-1-1 Lewis

ltc

No problem.

Just remember, no rebadging your brake fluid to make people think you're running Castrol SRF when you're running stock fluid

Sorry everyone, inside Cayenne forum joke

LVDell

great one Lewis....touche'