Dealer says NO. 08 with 120,000. He says it's a sealed system. What do you think.
Brake fluid change ?
Bigal5056
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Wow. Yeah, I'd find another dealer. Every vehicle should have the brake fluid flushed every 2-3 years. Honda actually specifies it right in your owner's manual. It is NOT a sealed system. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and, if not changed every few years will allow corrosion to happen internally. If you change brake fluid regularly you can almost assure your brake system hydraulics will outlast the rest of the vehicle.
It is a sealed system except that the reservoir vents to atmospheric and since the fluid is hygroscopic, it will pick up moisture over time. I change mine about every 5 years. I used the valvoline Dot 3 / 4 fluid, it is cheap (like $9), has a high BP even when "wet". I don't think the risk of corrosion is that high as the fluid is filled with anti corrosion additives and has a lot of phosphates, but it does pick up moisture over time and it is easy to flush when you get a chance and are doing a brake job anyway.
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The corrosion does happen and you can measure it. You measure it with test strips that test for copper content. Copper is a byproduct of the corrosion process internally so it's a good indicator of the quality of the brake fluid. I use these:
https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Systems-3001-B-Strips-BrakeStrip/dp/B000JFJMGO
![Image]()
Using the test strips allows you to know when/if your brake fluid needs changing. You can't tell by color alone as dark brake fluid does not indicate corrosion or copper content. I also use a moisture test pen to check moisture content but I use the test strips to determine if I need to recommend a brake fluid service to someone. Personally, I change it every three years on my own Honda (using genuine Honda fluid) and every two years on my other vehicles using regular cheap DOT3.
https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Systems-3001-B-Strips-BrakeStrip/dp/B000JFJMGO
Using the test strips allows you to know when/if your brake fluid needs changing. You can't tell by color alone as dark brake fluid does not indicate corrosion or copper content. I also use a moisture test pen to check moisture content but I use the test strips to determine if I need to recommend a brake fluid service to someone. Personally, I change it every three years on my own Honda (using genuine Honda fluid) and every two years on my other vehicles using regular cheap DOT3.
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Wow, I didn’t know it was that often! I changed my 05 Odyssey every 100,000 miles. Oops. It had 205,000 on it when I sold it. Had original calipers on it with no problems.
Is all Honda’s 3 years?? We bought a 2017 CRV EXL
Is all Honda’s 3 years?? We bought a 2017 CRV EXL
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They all use the same brake fluid so I'm sure it's still every three years. The place where I've most often seen issues from not changing brake fluid is at the master cylinder. They will leak between the master cylinder and brake booster. There is also a higher chance of sticky calipers on vehicles that don't have the fluid serviced.
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Thanks John! I’m a master mechanic for a city, you should see how dirty the brake fluid is in these vehicles including med units. I’ll find the info and give it to the bosses.
Thanks Again!!!
Thanks Again!!!
The biggest surprise in this thread is that a dealer said NO to a potential service. I thought if anything a dealer would recommend you change the brake fluid at least every 6-9 months "just to be on the safe side, since the brakes are the most important safety system on the car" or something 
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With you on this one.... LOLThe biggest surprise in this thread is that a dealer said NO to a potential service. I thought if anything a dealer would recommend you change the brake fluid at least every 6-9 months "just to be on the safe side, since the brakes are the most important safety system on the car" or something
For the original poster, YES CHANGE THE FLUID.
Mine 2017 CRV Touring at 46000 miles already call for replace brake fluid.
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The thing is there is no "maintenance-minder" code for changing the brake fluid (at least not on my 2009 Ody) so it never even crossed my mind. I'm at 120,000 miles now and I can't recall the brake fluid being changed. Yikes I'd better have it done soon.
Anyone do it yourself and how did you do it?
Anyone do it yourself and how did you do it?
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There are numerous ways to do brake fluid flushes. It's been discussed quite a bit here. I'm sure a search of brake fluid flush on the forums would turn up hits. There is Google and YouTube too.
Personally, I use a pressure tank by Motive (looks like a garden sprayer with a gauge on it) and a master cylinder adapter kit made by Power Probe. It puts pressure in the reservoir and then you simply open the bleeders and flush the fluid until clean.
You're in Illinois so you may have rusty bleeder screws to deal with...another reason to bleed at least every 2-3 years, just so you open and close them once in a while.
Personally, I use a pressure tank by Motive (looks like a garden sprayer with a gauge on it) and a master cylinder adapter kit made by Power Probe. It puts pressure in the reservoir and then you simply open the bleeders and flush the fluid until clean.
You're in Illinois so you may have rusty bleeder screws to deal with...another reason to bleed at least every 2-3 years, just so you open and close them once in a while.
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