One more quick example to share after reading all the good discussion on fluid changes in the new member @jgprice introduction this summer. This example wasn't mentioned and is for any coupe owner who isn't aware of the need to flush brake fluid periodically...
Problem - Brake Fluid Decay: Brake fluid absorbs water which can then boil under heavy braking and create gas bubbles and a soft pedal, not particularly fun or safe. However, unless you're a really hard driver, the more likely outcome is what happened on my car while it was in storage that I discovered on my annual short drive around the block. The car seemed to be getting sluggish to the point that I barely got it back in the garage. The front wheels had become HOT to the touch. Turns out the pistons in the brake calipers were rusted and sticking and required a caliper rebuild (or replacement)
Conclusions: It's good to change brake fluid regularly! Having just replaced nearly my entire braking system and filling it from empty, I don't look forward to that again soon. When I do go to change my brake fluid (1-4 years is recommended by most manufacturers, higher performance DOT 4 needing it sooner than DOT 3), I'll be using an inexpensive hand vacuum pump and bottle to empty the old fluid from the reservoir, refilling it with new fluid, following the standard brake bleed process, moving from farthest caliper to nearest, topping off the reservoir after every caliper, while watching for the fluid to run clear at each caliper.
Problem - Brake Fluid Decay: Brake fluid absorbs water which can then boil under heavy braking and create gas bubbles and a soft pedal, not particularly fun or safe. However, unless you're a really hard driver, the more likely outcome is what happened on my car while it was in storage that I discovered on my annual short drive around the block. The car seemed to be getting sluggish to the point that I barely got it back in the garage. The front wheels had become HOT to the touch. Turns out the pistons in the brake calipers were rusted and sticking and required a caliper rebuild (or replacement)
Conclusions: It's good to change brake fluid regularly! Having just replaced nearly my entire braking system and filling it from empty, I don't look forward to that again soon. When I do go to change my brake fluid (1-4 years is recommended by most manufacturers, higher performance DOT 4 needing it sooner than DOT 3), I'll be using an inexpensive hand vacuum pump and bottle to empty the old fluid from the reservoir, refilling it with new fluid, following the standard brake bleed process, moving from farthest caliper to nearest, topping off the reservoir after every caliper, while watching for the fluid to run clear at each caliper.
