Brake fluid

ayrton88 · 09-12-2012, 12:38 PM

I trying to get an idea of when to change my brake fluid...did a search but no one seems to know what Nissan recommends. I needed to change it on my BMW every 2-3 years and they were pretty insistent about it. Apparently it controls not only the brakes, but the clutch also, which I assume is the same on the Z. I guess brake fluid is very susceptible to moisture, although unless there was a leak I don't know how moisture would get in.

Jsolo · 09-12-2012, 12:48 PM

These fluids are cheap. I plan on doing mine annually. The clutch uses the same type of fluid as brakes.. Dot4 recommended.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, moisture can still seep in.

Also, fluid can pick up debris which can potentially cause accelerated CSC wear.

370Z Purist · 09-12-2012, 05:28 PM

Brake fluid does indeed absorb moisture, which lowers the boiling point. I was one of a few (and probably many more owners) who boiled their clutch fluid in the summer. I replaced it with Valvoline DOT 4 (surprisingly good stuff), and will swap it, along with the clutch line, to ATE SuperBlue.

Moisture always finds a way to seep in, guaranteed.

Brake fluid and clutch fluid should be changed relatively regularly, to make sure the fluid remains fresh and mostly dry.

ayrton88 · 09-12-2012, 05:32 PM

Apparently in my Bimmer the clutch and brake fluid shared the same reservoir. Is the Z also like this?

DLSTR · 09-15-2012, 05:37 PM

Just did my 15000mi service. Brake fluid is changed here in Germany then. Thats a good time to do it. VW dealer for my 2012 GTI recommends the same from VW.

Huck · 09-15-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayrton88

Apparently in my Bimmer the clutch and brake fluid shared the same reservoir. Is the Z also like this?

Nope. We have two separate ones.

Sent from my iPizzle using magic and new-fangled science stuff

09-12-2012, 12:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
ayrton88 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 397 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	Brake fluid I trying to get an idea of when to change my brake fluid...did a search but no one seems to know what Nissan recommends. I needed to change it on my BMW every 2-3 years and they were pretty insistent about it. Apparently it controls not only the brakes, but the clutch also, which I assume is the same on the Z. I guess brake fluid is very susceptible to moisture, although unless there was a leak I don't know how moisture would get in.

09-12-2012, 05:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
370Z Purist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Zion, Illinois Posts: 1,873 Drives: '09 370Z-T BS M6 Rep Power: 19	Brake fluid does indeed absorb moisture, which lowers the boiling point. I was one of a few (and probably many more owners) who boiled their clutch fluid in the summer. I replaced it with Valvoline DOT 4 (surprisingly good stuff), and will swap it, along with the clutch line, to ATE SuperBlue. Moisture always finds a way to seep in, guaranteed. Brake fluid and clutch fluid should be changed relatively regularly, to make sure the fluid remains fresh and mostly dry. __________________ -Phil "Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."

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09-12-2012, 12:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jsolo Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 783 Drives: '12 G37 6MT Rep Power: 15	These fluids are cheap. I plan on doing mine annually. The clutch uses the same type of fluid as brakes.. Dot4 recommended. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, moisture can still seep in. Also, fluid can pick up debris which can potentially cause accelerated CSC wear.

09-12-2012, 05:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
ayrton88 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 397 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	Apparently in my Bimmer the clutch and brake fluid shared the same reservoir. Is the Z also like this?

09-15-2012, 05:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
DLSTR A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Süd Germany Posts: 2,462 Drives: 21Supra 2.0/22 M240i Rep Power: 21267	Just did my 15000mi service. Brake fluid is changed here in Germany then. Thats a good time to do it. VW dealer for my 2012 GTI recommends the same from VW.