Jason’s Journal: Reasons Why Brake Fluid Flushes are Important
Jason McKinsey, Lehman Volvo Cars Service Manager, writes about Volvo trending topics, including this month’s segment on the importance of routine brake fluid flushes.
Looking for more information on a particular Volvo service topic? Submit your topic suggestion to Jason at jason@lehmanvolvocarsyork.com.
Preventive maintenance can make a big difference in your vehicle’s cost of ownership over the years. We all know oil changes are essential, but there are other fluid changes that can help lower your repair cost down the road, such as brake fluid changes.
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid used to create pressure within the braking system by the force you apply to the brake pedal. That pressure causes the brake caliper to compress the brake pads onto the brake rotor surface. The friction from the brake pads being compressed onto a spinning brake rotor creates heat. The heat that is created is why brake fluid flushes and the type of brake fluid used are so important.
The heat generated by the brake system requires a brake fluid that is hygroscopic, meaning the brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Why would automotive manufacturers use a fluid that attracts moisture, you may ask? Moisture enters the brake system through microscopic areas, including the seams and joints of a brake system. If the fluid in a brake system did not absorb moisture, then overtime the system would have moisture build up, known as water pooling, and will create pockets of water in the brake system. This happens because water is denser than brake fluid, and will cause internal corrosion to the brake components. Trapped water in the brake system has the potential to boil since its boiling point is lower than that of the brake fluid. The air bubbles created by the boiling water can degrade or even cause failure of the brake system.
Corrosion inside the brake system can lead to brake system component failure. Seized brake calipers, corrosion through brake lines and deteriorated brake hoses are just some of the issues you may encounter. As the corrosion continues, small particles enter the brake system and cause damage to modern ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) and traction control systems. Repairs to these system can be quite costly and are easily avoided with routine brake flushes.
A brake fluid flush is generally performed by pressurizing the brake system through the brake fluid reservoir by using a special tool called a “pressure bleeder”. An adapter is attached to the brake fluid reservoir and the system is pressured. The bleeder valve, or screw, is opened at each brake caliper in the appropriate order and brake fluid is forced through the system from the adapter at the brake fluid reservoir. This is done until fresh clean brake fluid arrives at each of the brake bleeders. The bleeder valve is then closed.
Volvo Cars recommends that a brake fluid flush be performed every 3 years or 40,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you live in a mountainous region and/or a higher humidity area, a yearly brake fluid flush is needed. Older Volvos have different intervals for brake fluid flushes. Please use this link and look under the “Maintenance Schedule” to review the service intervals for your Volvo’s year and model: https://volvo.custhelp.com/app/homeV3
Please review this month’s service specials and let us help make your Volvo as reliable as possible. If you have any questions please contact me at jason@lehmanvolvocarsyork.com.
*Offer expires 8/31/18. See dealer for full details.
Looking for more information on a particular Volvo service topic? Submit your topic suggestion to Jason at jason@lehmanvolvocarsyork.com.
Jason’s Journal: Reasons Why Brake Fluid Flushes are Important
By: Jason McKinsey, Service Manager
Preventive maintenance can make a big difference in your vehicle’s cost of ownership over the years. We all know oil changes are essential, but there are other fluid changes that can help lower your repair cost down the road, such as brake fluid changes.
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid used to create pressure within the braking system by the force you apply to the brake pedal. That pressure causes the brake caliper to compress the brake pads onto the brake rotor surface. The friction from the brake pads being compressed onto a spinning brake rotor creates heat. The heat that is created is why brake fluid flushes and the type of brake fluid used are so important.
The heat generated by the brake system requires a brake fluid that is hygroscopic, meaning the brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Why would automotive manufacturers use a fluid that attracts moisture, you may ask? Moisture enters the brake system through microscopic areas, including the seams and joints of a brake system. If the fluid in a brake system did not absorb moisture, then overtime the system would have moisture build up, known as water pooling, and will create pockets of water in the brake system. This happens because water is denser than brake fluid, and will cause internal corrosion to the brake components. Trapped water in the brake system has the potential to boil since its boiling point is lower than that of the brake fluid. The air bubbles created by the boiling water can degrade or even cause failure of the brake system.
Corrosion inside the brake system can lead to brake system component failure. Seized brake calipers, corrosion through brake lines and deteriorated brake hoses are just some of the issues you may encounter. As the corrosion continues, small particles enter the brake system and cause damage to modern ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) and traction control systems. Repairs to these system can be quite costly and are easily avoided with routine brake flushes.
A brake fluid flush is generally performed by pressurizing the brake system through the brake fluid reservoir by using a special tool called a “pressure bleeder”. An adapter is attached to the brake fluid reservoir and the system is pressured. The bleeder valve, or screw, is opened at each brake caliper in the appropriate order and brake fluid is forced through the system from the adapter at the brake fluid reservoir. This is done until fresh clean brake fluid arrives at each of the brake bleeders. The bleeder valve is then closed.
Volvo Cars recommends that a brake fluid flush be performed every 3 years or 40,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you live in a mountainous region and/or a higher humidity area, a yearly brake fluid flush is needed. Older Volvos have different intervals for brake fluid flushes. Please use this link and look under the “Maintenance Schedule” to review the service intervals for your Volvo’s year and model: https://volvo.custhelp.com/app/homeV3
Receive $25 off a Brake Fluid Flush Service* when you show the service department this article!
Please review this month’s service specials and let us help make your Volvo as reliable as possible. If you have any questions please contact me at jason@lehmanvolvocarsyork.com.
*Offer expires 8/31/18. See dealer for full details.
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