Brake Fluid Test Strips

The test strips will indicate humidity content (if I'm not wrong ) in the brake fluid (DOT3), as a test I think it's OK,

 

Thoughts..
It's a closed system, keeps moisture out.
A lot of Prius braking is from regen, so that keeps temps down inside the caliper cylinder.

It makes me think that the Prius (and other cars with regen braking) is very easy on brake fluid.

 

Prius is very easy on brake fluid. HOWEVER, depends on what part of the country you live in and your driving conditions. My fluid tests perfect after 4.5 years, 80k miles. However, I will look at changing/flushing it in this next year.

 

Mt thoughts: (FWIW)

I'm pretty OCD about maintenance, but there are some situations where it's better to leave the wrenches in the toolbox.
I'd test the brake fluid just for grins, but I would hesitate to replace the fluid unless it's absolutely necessary because if you do, you have to decide on the lesser of 2 evils:
1. DIY and possibly causing more problems than you eliminate.
2. Pay to have somebody tinker with the brakes and picking the ONE mechanic who is two payments behind on a boat---or knows less about the brakes than you do and gets to learn on your dime.
You would be amazed how many fairly healthy cars arrive at a dealership for a checkup and are suddenly downchecked for $1,000 worth of critical repairs.

I've put lunar mileage on vehicles with nothing more than pad replacements. My current oldest vehicle is an 06 Envoy with 150K. Original pads, rotors, fluid. The reservoir has never been opened. I'm probably due for pads in about 30K and I might consider replacing the fluid as well, but then again I might not.
The groovy thing about modern disc brakes is that you don't have to tinker with them much.
If having to "prematurely" replace a component at 170,000 miles is the price that I pay for "neglecting" to replace the fluid every three years, then I'll bear that cost gladly.
OTOH.....I also have an 06 VRSCD with Brembos that have to be flushed every three years because the brake fluid (DOT-4) in THAT vehicle looks like 2-day old rewarmed truck stop coffee after 2 riding seasons....but it also has a hydraulic clutch and lacks ABS and regenerative brakes....so it's VERY easy to do.


North Carolina is more topographically 'diverse' than the Riviera, so you might be harder on your brakes....especially if you deliver the morning paper. If you're one of those poor lost souls that have to commute crazy distances in stop and go traffic and chews through brakes every 60K, or if you're just a lousy driver (or both!) "my" brake maintenance practices might not fit YOUR situation.

Your car.
Your call.
I just need a better reason than "they said it needed to be done."
YMMV!

 

I've used the brake test strips for years. I've consistently tested my 1998 Mazda MPV, and the fluid has been good. NEVER changed the fluid, and it's still good.

The test strips are WORTH the investment.

 

When I got our 2010 in for the brake booster pump recall, I asked if they could/would replace brake fluid in the process, and stressed that in any event I'd like to get a brake fluid replacement. It was coming up on 3 year anniversary anyway.

They said they would, that they'd try to get it under the recall umbrella, ie: free. Looking at the invoice for that recall there's: "REPLACED BRAKE FLUID" and QTY 4 DOT 3 BRAKE FLUID". I assume the "QTY" to be pints or 500 cc bottles.

Bottom line, it seems a fairly routine event for the dealerships, even with the added complexity in Prius. And it's one of those services I'd rather have them do. If it's somewhere around $100, or a bit more, and they take the responsibility, this is one I'd gladly leave to the pros.

 

I have been changing brake fluid in my vehicles about every 3 years for over 30 years. You can tell visually when to change fluid by its color in the master brake reservoir. Brake fluid is clear, not a dark color. The more moisture in the fluid the darker the color. You can get lulled by the fact that you may not perceive a significant change in braking performance but there are changes. Stopping distances will be extended because the heat of the fluid will be higher with absorbed moisture. Hope this helps

 

They told me they might, or might not, do complete fluid replacement. I told them if it came to the latter, to do a brake fluid replacement. I think they quoted around $100. Didn't come to that anyway.

This just seems like something they're set up to do, doesn't cost too much, and could be problematic for DIY.

 

Changing the fluid is cheap insurance. Some people don't bother, but I prefer to bother.

Brake fluid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brake Fluid Change

 

I use test strips to measure the concentration and PH of coolant, but have not used them for brake fluid. In the past I have just flushed the brake fluid every two years or 30,000 miles as preventive maintenance. I think it would be interesting to actually measure the moisture content of brake fluid.

What do the test strips you ordered measure?

Do the test strips provide a scale on which to determine when the brake fluid should be flushed?

What is the brand name and part number of the brake fluid test strips you ordered?

 

As to jdcollins5's original question, most retail strips are all about the same. Just be advised every-time you open the system to test, you further expose the fluid to moisture and the risk of other contaminants.

The topic of when to flush the brakes is historically argued about as much as motor oil. The Prius uses DOT 3 Brake fluid with a serviceable life determined by usage, time and system integrity. 2-3 years is considered the average duty cycle for preventative maintenance...look it up.

YMMV and as ETC(SS) so wisely states, you car...your call.

 

I'm curious, why copper instead of moisture? Where would copper come from?