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      05-11-2019, 05:51 AM   #1
t4ure4n
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brake fluid replacement

I purchased a BMW X3 xdrive 20D MSport few days ago. The car was registered in November 2016 so it is still less than three years old. Service history shows that it was serviced by BMW in Feb 2018 and it has only done 6k miles since then.

I was just checking the status of service requirements in iDrive and it shows that Brake fluid needs changing.

Do I really need to change the brake fluid straight away or its just early warning? I am asking this because I was told that the brake fluid change is required after first 3 years from registration and then every 2 years thereafter

Is is straight forward thing that I can do myself or I must go to BMW?

Many thanks
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      05-11-2019, 06:49 AM   #2
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I'm getting the 5 year warning in my 2015 since it hit 5 years from manufacture this month. I assume that an independent BMW service center could do this. It can't be that complicated for anyone who knows how to work on cars. I'm going to wait for mine since I'm getting the 3000 mile alert for oil change, so I'll just do it at the same time.
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      05-11-2019, 07:58 AM   #3
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My F25 wanted its brake fluid changed initially at 2 years, and has asked for the same every 2 years since.
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      05-11-2019, 01:50 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 02420X3 View Post
My F25 wanted its brake fluid changed initially at 2 years, and has asked for the same every 2 years since.
Well, by the 2015 model, BMW maybe made it 3 years for the first so the second wouldn't be within the 4 year "free" maintenance schedule
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      05-11-2019, 03:38 PM   #5
t4ure4n
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevink1 View Post
Well, by the 2015 model, BMW maybe made it 3 years for the first so the second wouldn't be within the 4 year "free" maintenance schedule
Hi Kevin. Does BMW give a standard warranty which covers servicing for first 3 years when you purchase a new car or you have to buy it separately.
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      05-12-2019, 07:51 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevink1 View Post
Well, by the 2015 model, BMW maybe made it 3 years for the first so the second wouldn't be within the 4 year "free" maintenance schedule
Good point, so instead of 2 flushes, they would only need to do 1, that would add up to a substantial cost savings.
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      05-17-2019, 05:09 PM   #7
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in the UK ...probably lost of moisture and driving in the rain?

I would replace the fluid on time. a few months overdue won't mean brake failure but long term...parts such as calipers and other parts might need rebuilding or replacement sooner.
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      05-19-2019, 09:02 AM   #8
Opie55
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Brake fluid is supposed to be changed every 2 years on any car, but it's probably one of the most ignored maintenance items. The reason is that brake fluid absorbs moisture. This has 2 effects - it lowers the boiling point and it corrodes parts. It is a very easy job that is made much easier if you invest in a little pressure tank that threads onto the master cylinder that you pump up by hand and that pressurizes the whole system. The longest/hardest part of the job is jacking up each corner in turn and removing the wheel.
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      05-19-2019, 02:44 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie55 View Post
Brake fluid is supposed to be changed every 2 years on any car, but it's probably one of the most ignored maintenance items. The reason is that brake fluid absorbs moisture. This has 2 effects - it lowers the boiling point and it corrodes parts. It is a very easy job that is made much easier if you invest in a little pressure tank that threads onto the master cylinder that you pump up by hand and that pressurizes the whole system. The longest/hardest part of the job is jacking up each corner in turn and removing the wheel.
I agree with the recommend every 2 years, even more critical in more humid areas, less critical in place like Arizona.


A Pressure bleeder does make quick work of brake fluid flushing, but I've never taken the wheels off to do it, and most cars can be done without jacking them up, some are just too low. I like to work smart and jacking it up and removing the wheels is not always needed, especially on the X3, but that's just me, YMMV.
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      05-20-2019, 09:05 AM   #10
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don't skimp on maintenance. Those that do are the same ones that complain used BMWs are unreliable/always in the shop.

You take care of the little things to prevent bigger issues.
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      05-21-2019, 10:32 AM   #11
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Concur with sticking to the 2 year interval. Brake fluid is not expensive and you don't need too much either
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      05-21-2019, 01:48 PM   #12
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I was a 2 year brake fluid flush is a must guy. Until I purchased the the brake fluid tester from ECS. This one here.



And served me well. The point is, it's not about saving $$$, but for me about saving time not having to do unnecessary repairs/maintenance.

Out of 4 cars, that gizmo prompted me to pay attention to only 1 of them, which had the fluid changed about 4 years ago (lit up to H2O between 1.5 and 3%).
The other 3 cars had the fluid flushed 2 years ago, and it looks OK. I know brake fluid is hygroscopic, but I think that "2 year change the brake fluid or your car will explode" is blown out of proportion. Again, coming from a guy who was a "change the brake fluid every 2 years" and Mike Miller bible subscriber.
I believe the 2 year plan will cover BMW a*s in case someone that lives in abnormal humid place will have a brake failure due to accumulated moisture boiling over when tracking the car.
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      05-21-2019, 03:06 PM   #13
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I learned something new. I did not know there was such a tool.
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      05-21-2019, 03:49 PM   #14
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that's cool. Maybe I'll pick one up to try out
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      05-21-2019, 09:04 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t4ure4n View Post
Hi Kevin. Does BMW give a standard warranty which covers servicing for first 3 years when you purchase a new car or you have to buy it separately.
For the 2015 models in the US, BMW included a maintaince package for 4 year/50K miles. Oil changes, brake fluid changes, etc. Essentially, prepaid for certain services as part of the car purchase.

This is separate from the warranty.

I understand that later years (2016 or 2017), the free Maintenance package was reduced to 3 years/36K miles. To reduce cost and probably to better match up common leasing terms.

I'm out of warranty and free services now at 73K miles. I'll have to do my next service in the next 4-5 weeks. Brake fluid, oil change. DEF fluid. "vehicle check". I'm doing my own air filter replacements. Big bang/buck.
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      08-28-2019, 12:28 PM   #16
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Brake Fluid Change at Dealer

I just had my 2016 X3 at the BMW dealer for a brake fluid change under warranty. Vehicle has done 11,000 miles. Afterwards I noticed the brake fluid reservoir area had not been touched. When I telephoned the dealer he said that they have a new BMW fluid change operation which does not need access to the reservoir. Is he right?
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      08-28-2019, 12:54 PM   #17
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Seems bit odd; even if they evac the fluid via each caliper bleed port as far as I know one still has to fill with new fluid via reservoir; I may be incorrect in this, hmm...

Ask the service advisor to explain the details method they use.

Here's the BMW Tech Info System info on the process: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...enance/E8D9C7n (it's a pressure bleed setup)

Last edited by Wgosma; 08-28-2019 at 06:39 PM..
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      08-28-2019, 05:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EdBoyle View Post
I just had my 2016 X3 at the BMW dealer for a brake fluid change under warranty. Vehicle has done 11,000 miles. Afterwards I noticed the brake fluid reservoir area had not been touched. When I telephoned the dealer he said that they have a new BMW fluid change operation which does not need access to the reservoir. Is he right?
That sounds like total BS.

Years ago, when my Z4 went in for the included maintenance, they "said" they did a brake fluid flush. They did not. I put anti-tamper goop on all the bleeder screw rubber covers and they never removed them. When I told them the fluid was not flushed, they assured me it was and asked why I thought it wasn't done. After telling them how I knew, they said bring it back in and they would take care of it. I let them know I lost all trust in them and would never let their crooked so called tech ever touch my car again.

Last edited by pungo; 08-28-2019 at 10:58 PM..
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      08-28-2019, 10:53 PM   #19
Opie55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EdBoyle View Post
I just had my 2016 X3 at the BMW dealer for a brake fluid change under warranty. Vehicle has done 11,000 miles. Afterwards I noticed the brake fluid reservoir area had not been touched. When I telephoned the dealer he said that they have a new BMW fluid change operation which does not need access to the reservoir. Is he right?
How is it you know the reservoir had not been touched?
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      08-29-2019, 07:08 AM   #20
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I change mine every 18 months and bleed and add fluid any time I do a brake inspection or service. The humidity in FL ruins brake fluid.
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      08-29-2019, 08:01 PM   #21
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Off subject, What kind of brake fluid should 2012 35i use ?
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      09-01-2019, 10:50 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RL325xi View Post
Off subject, What kind of brake fluid should 2012 35i use ?
Well, looks like any old DOT 4 or this Castrol BMW brake fluid should work for our X3. I’m way late on mine.


I just bled the brakes and swapped in a bunch of fluid on my pricey sports car. I made my own bleeder per this YouTube video and it worked like a charm.
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