Brake Fluid Flush

Brake fluid flush is more about tradition and often not accurate. In Europe, toyota and lexus mandate 2 years interval to keep the 10 years warranty. Even the sparkplugs SC16HR11 is only 90k miles interval.

Meanwhile, my trusted mechanics in FL told me not to change brake fluid unless we repair any brake parts or it is very dark. dark color is pretty good indicator for worn additives but the $3 moistures tester is actually accurate within 1%.
In North America, Toyota has no schedule for brake fluid, only when it is necessary and 3 y recommended service on Lexus, not mandatory.

Yes, the moistures come from atmosphere and unlike GM, and european cars; Toyota brake line system is more imune too contamination of moistures. The additives wear is also minimal.

Strip test for copper content is often not necessary because the water contamination is usually already high enough >2%, before the additives are depleted. I generally replace when it is more than 2% or 7 years.

We are not driving HSD car like maniac in Autobahn or tracking it in circuit, 2 years interval is overkill and money makers for dealership service department.

Hybrid brake fluid last much longer because of regeneration braking, lower operating temperature, lower temperature fluctuation, lower permeability and lower wear on the base fluid, clear no burning colors like non hybrid car.

 

Toyota Canada says 3 yearly or 48k kms. I believe as of model year 2014 for Prius.

 

Thanks, Mendel, In the USA, we have no fixed intervals, only recommended 3 years when we visit dealership or independence mechanics. I follow my own analysis and I believe 7 years interval in hybrid cars is more than enough. I am worried more about the rust on the brake disc and sliding pins. I believe Toyota should make an interval for lubing the sliding pins in hybrid, especially the rear brake. Brake fluid flush should be marked as Inspection every 3 years, instead of replacement. It is a waste of energy, money, and materials, and not good for a green car/environment.
On the other hand, I disagree with the 10k miles/1 year oil change interval because it often caused engine wear and makes the engine consume oil much sooner circa 100k miles. I do not see the point of keeping 10k miles interval but the engine consumes oil 1 L every 2k miles as normal. In the end, people use 14.3L oil every 10k miles when the engine consumes oil, instead of 8.6L every 10k miles if the engine does not consume any oil by replacing it every 5k miles.

 

They do note a more in-depth brake inspection at 3 years or 30K; instead of the "visual inspection" it says to check rotor runout and something else. Vague as hell, and there's no section in the Repair Manual* spelling out what to do. I'd be inclined to hitchhike on those year/mile, for general clean up of pads/shims and pin relube.

* Toyota Repair Manual is poor in this regard: shows a complete tear-down of a brake system, but that's all. Honda, in comparison, spec "brake inspection" in the Owner's Manual schedule, and their Shop Manuals have a section titled "brake inspection", and it spells out exactly what that entails.

 

I am sitting at my dealer right now waiting for a complementary tire rotation to be completed. They just notified me that they recommend a brake fluid flush based on its dark color and the fact that the fluid has never been changed. My V was built in in 2016, btw. They are charging $169, which isn't too bad, so I told them to proceed.