mikegarrison

The fact that my local dealership said "we'll replace your ATE with Honda brake fluid, and we'll charge you for it" is one reason I did my own 30k service in my garage.

Amit

I have 20K on my S, and I'm getting ready to do a tune up. I plan on changing Engine/Transmission/Differential oil. I'm also changing my brake pads, so I thought I should flush the Brake oil. I spoke with a few wise guys, and they keep telling me that I shouldn't flush the Brakes or the clutch, because it's a closed system and doesn't need to be flushed unless somehow it was contaminated. If that were the case, why does everyone flush their brakes? Also Brake fluid, and clutch fluid is the same thing right? If you flush the brakes, you've also changed the clutch fluid? Also, if I do flush the brakes, is it bad to pump the pedal to bleed my brakes?

mikegarrison

Yeah, those are real wiseguys all right....

The brake and clutch systems are as closed as it is practical to be, but they are not perfectly sealed. The main thing is that over time water will get in there (from the air). As the amount of water increases, the boiling temp of the fluid decreases. Also, corrosion of the brakes increases.

So it is good practice to flush the systems every once in a while and get rid of that water. I would actually recommend every two years for a street car, and at least every year for a car on the track. Honda says to flush the brakes every three years, though.

Brake fluid and clutch fluid is the same stuff, but it is not in the same place. You have to flush each of them separately.

It is not bad to use the pedal to flush the brakes, as long as you do it right.

One final note, brake fluid is very bad for paint. So be careful. If you do spill some, wash it off with lots of water.

Amit

what's a good brake fluid. ATE? DOT3 OR DOT4?