The 40,000 mile service on my 2008 XK calls for the brake fluid to be replaced. I don't think I have ever had this done to any car I have ever owned. Can someone enlighten me as to why this would be considered necessary?

Thanks...

 

Brake fluid will degrade....largely because it absorbs moisture. The result is a lower boiling point. Bad, bad.

I've only had brake fluid boil once and I never want it have it happen again !

Most manufacturers suggest a 24 or 36 month change interval. American manufacturers, though, virtually never recommend changing brake fluid. [shaking my head]

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug. That makes sense...

 

Jaguar has recommended 'Renew Brake Fluid Every 2 Years'.

It is listed on EVERY Maintenance Schedule I have seen since the 90s.

Here is a Schedule for the 1995-1997 Sedan Range,
and one for the 1998 and so on.

bob gauff

 

Another thing about old brake fluid is that the moisture content can freeze, expand the brake pistons and lock up your car. I had a 6 year old Buick that encountered 2 days of mid teen F weather. It was immobilized for a few days.

 

Widely varying driving conditions put different demands on brake fluid, so while some might have been fine for many years under their normal conditions, and others not for as long, both could run out of brake in an unusually demanding and emergency braking senario. Brake fluid is just so inexpensive, and the procedure pretty simple, so unless there is something unique about changing it on a Jag you might want to get a couple of quotes on the cost.

Bruce

 

I appreciate all the info on this issue. FYI, I called three places to get estimate on changing the brake fluid:

1. Jag Dealer - Left message never got called back
2. Local GM dealer refused to do the job, says it takes some sort of special tool to pressurize the brakes that they do not have.
3. Midas - Says "bring it on down" Cost should be about $40.00.

Guess I am bringing it to Midas...

 

Hi Stillwaters,

If I were you I would call that Jag dealer another time or two or even call another Jag dealer just to talk with them. Midas may be perfectly fine, or this could be the first XK they ever worked on.

I saved a few bucks a few years ago by having a gas station change the oil in my Saab 900SE. Shame they didn't know about some gasket they were suppose to replace also.

I was at a family reunion in the Hamptons when the car stopped running. Funny they don't go after all the oil leaks out.

I'll bet you can guess where I get my oil changed now.


Tony

 

Good point, Tony. I believe I'll give that Jaguar dealer another try....

 

There's been several thrashes of this subject just lately. The 24 month fluid change interval has been around since the 60s, if not earlier. On cars of the era, the master cylinders were vented to the atmosphere to permit air to enter as the fluid level dropped in the reservoir. but with the drawback of also allowing the fluid to become contaminated with airborne moisture.

Cars since the late 60s feature a master cylinder with a flexible diaphragm that isolates the fluid from the air, eliminating the contact between the two and potential contamination.

A question that remains unanswered is why did the 24 month fluid change interval remain unchanged?