I am sure that most Saabsceners are sensible people who change their brake fluid regularly, however, just in case, I'd like to bring the following to your attention.
Castrol, purveyors of quality brake fluid for generations, recently tested a number of cars in the car park of their office in Pangbourne (where you might think that people would be aware of the problem) with scary results. Here is a copy of their subsequent safety notice.
Quote starts..................................
The brake fluid check was available to Pangbourne staff for 2 days and involved testing the Vapour Lock Point of a brake fluid sample taken from the brake system reservoir.
36% of the Pangbourne “car park” took part in the test program
47% of cars tested had very poor condition brake fluid.
20% of cars tested had fluid that required immediate replacing
NB the fluid in the reservoir is normally in better condition than the fluid found at the road wheels.
Why change brake fluid?
Brake fluid is hygroscopic - it attracts and absorbs water. This is unavoidable, it is part of brake fluid’s chemistry and even though it is in a “closed” system, the attraction for water is so strong that it is still absorbed. When brake fluid absorbs water its boiling point is reduced. This deterioration continues and eventually the heat produced by friction between the brake lining materials and discs or drums will vaporise the fluid. Vapour, unlike liquid, is compressible, so pressing the brake pedal merely compresses vapour instead of operating the brakes. (This is known as the vapour lock point and it is slightly lower than the boiling point). This kind of brake failure can only be avoided by changing the brake fluid regularly.
When should brake fluid be changed?
Unlike engine oil which should be changed according to the distance driven, brake fluid deteriorates not with distance but with time. It continues to absorb water even when the vehicle is stationary. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend regular brake fluid changes on a time basis.
Many people are complacent about their brake fluid, assuming that it will always do the job.
I have seen many cases of serious injury and death through Brake Fluid Neglect.
Garages rarely have the equipment to check the fluid condition, settling only to look at hose condition and reservoir levels.
As a minimum effort, change the fluid according to the manufacturers hand book.
If in doubt ... .do it anyway.
Quote Ends....................................
This test was repeated in the car park of the office I currently inhabit. Even though most of the cars there are less than three years old, only 45% of the cars tested had adequate brake fluid.
Makes you think, doesn't it?
Castrol, purveyors of quality brake fluid for generations, recently tested a number of cars in the car park of their office in Pangbourne (where you might think that people would be aware of the problem) with scary results. Here is a copy of their subsequent safety notice.
Quote starts..................................
The brake fluid check was available to Pangbourne staff for 2 days and involved testing the Vapour Lock Point of a brake fluid sample taken from the brake system reservoir.
36% of the Pangbourne “car park” took part in the test program
47% of cars tested had very poor condition brake fluid.
20% of cars tested had fluid that required immediate replacing
NB the fluid in the reservoir is normally in better condition than the fluid found at the road wheels.
Why change brake fluid?
Brake fluid is hygroscopic - it attracts and absorbs water. This is unavoidable, it is part of brake fluid’s chemistry and even though it is in a “closed” system, the attraction for water is so strong that it is still absorbed. When brake fluid absorbs water its boiling point is reduced. This deterioration continues and eventually the heat produced by friction between the brake lining materials and discs or drums will vaporise the fluid. Vapour, unlike liquid, is compressible, so pressing the brake pedal merely compresses vapour instead of operating the brakes. (This is known as the vapour lock point and it is slightly lower than the boiling point). This kind of brake failure can only be avoided by changing the brake fluid regularly.
When should brake fluid be changed?
Unlike engine oil which should be changed according to the distance driven, brake fluid deteriorates not with distance but with time. It continues to absorb water even when the vehicle is stationary. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend regular brake fluid changes on a time basis.
Many people are complacent about their brake fluid, assuming that it will always do the job.
I have seen many cases of serious injury and death through Brake Fluid Neglect.
Garages rarely have the equipment to check the fluid condition, settling only to look at hose condition and reservoir levels.
As a minimum effort, change the fluid according to the manufacturers hand book.
If in doubt ... .do it anyway.
Quote Ends....................................
This test was repeated in the car park of the office I currently inhabit. Even though most of the cars there are less than three years old, only 45% of the cars tested had adequate brake fluid.
Makes you think, doesn't it?
