Marshmallow’s Campfire Insight #1

Brake Calipers and Fluid Flushes:

Did you know that brake maintenance doesn’t end at just pads and rotors? Maintaining your calipers and flushing your brake fluid are just as important to prolong overall system life and prevent sticking caliper pistons. Brake caliper maintenance includes washing away brake dust, regular brake fluid flushes, and replacing your rotors alongside your pads before they are metal-to-metal and begin grinding.

Some car manufactures like Ford or Hyundai do not specify when exactly your brake fluid should be flushed. Instead it is recommend to get regular inspections of the fluid and the line flushed when high contamination is detected. Others like Subaru or Chevrolet recommend flushing the brake lines by mileage like at intervals of 30,000 to 45,000 miles respectively. Lastly, some manufactures like Toyota or Mercedes-Benz recommend a flush every two years of 20,000 miles.

It is always best to consult your owner’s manual for specifics, but it also doesn’t hurt to have your fluid checked at every oil change. Brake flushes are essential for brake caliper health as flushing the contaminated fluids helps prevent corrosion which prevents a locked caliper. It also removes air and moisture from the lines which can make your brakes feel spongy and affects your stopping power.

Thanks for reading!