Brake Fluid Change

[Speenybean]

So I just hit 50k miles on my 2015 50i. The computer is telling me to schedule a Appt to have the brake fluid changed. Is this the right time to do it?

[travellingkiwi]

Originally Posted by Speenybean

So I just hit 50k miles on my 2015 50i. The computer is telling me to schedule a Appt to have the brake fluid changed. Is this the right time to do it?

Can you think of a better time?

Brake fluid is hydroscopic. You really do want to change it when the vehicle thinks it's time...

[smyles]

No, wait till 2020 brake fluid goes on sale

[Speenybean]

Originally Posted by travellingkiwi

Can you think of a better time?

Brake fluid is hydroscopic. You really do want to change it when the vehicle thinks it's time...

Originally Posted by travellingkiwi

Can you think of a better time?

Brake fluid is hydroscopic. You really do want to change it when the vehicle thinks it's time...

What?

[turboawd]

Honestly most vehicles out there never get their brake fluid changed. Bmw wants you to change it a little excessively.

[tntp]

Originally Posted by Speenybean

So I just hit 50k miles on my 2015 50i. The computer is telling me to schedule a Appt to have the brake fluid changed. Is this the right time to do it?

I think it is time-base reminder, every 3 years or so. I have 2015 F15, bough in Aug 2014, and I did twice brake fluid change already. It's not that expensive, even at dealers and dont be cheap on brake stuffs, especially 50i !!!

[travellingkiwi]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Honestly most vehicles out there never get their brake fluid changed. Bmw wants you to change it a little excessively.

Not really.

You should (If you value braking as a function) change your brake fluid every 2 years. Because it's hydroscopic (It absorbs water from the atmosphere) and water in your brake fluid means boiling when it heats with a subsequent loss of braking. As well as that the insides of your brakes are also liable to rust etc.. It'll invalidate your warranty etc.

Will your brakes fail on the 2years+1 day? No... But the older it gets, the more water it'll have in it. Is it worth avoiding changing it? Not really.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/ar.../t-952269.html

https://stevesorensenmechanical.com....every-2-years/

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Speenybean

So I just hit 50k miles on my 2015 50i. The computer is telling me to schedule a Appt to have the brake fluid changed. Is this the right time to do it?

Yes 50000 miles is the BMW service interval for it. And he's you should change it every two years. For all the reasons stated above.

[9mmkungfu]

You can purchase tools to test your fluid for a more definitive answer.

[Qsilver7]

You have a 2015...brake fluid is HYGROSCOPIC...and BMW used to recommend a 2 yr brake fluid change...but has since upped the interval after the first one (which is still 2 yrs) to every 3 yrs. So depending on your build date & in-service date... it could be this year or next year.

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Yes 50000 miles is the BMW service interval for it. And he's you should change it every two years. For all the reasons stated above.

No, it’s not. It’s not based on mileage at all, only on time.

[pwrdbym]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

You have a 2015...brake fluid is HYGROSCOPIC...and BMW used to recommend a 2 yr brake fluid change...but has since upped the interval after the first one (which is still 2 yrs) to every 3 yrs. So depending on your build date & in-service date... it could be this year or next year.

Really interesting how the service interval changes when the components don't change. Kind of like how BMW used to require transmission and diff fluid changes at certain intervals, but then they went to free scheduled maintenance and all of a sudden the same fluid in the same hardware went to "lifetime" overnight. I'd imagine brake fluid extension is also a cost saving measure to only allow 1 free fluid change, rather than 2.

Everything said here is true, if you want the X5 to run trouble free to 150-200k preventative maintenance is key. If all you want is 100k out of it then you can probably never change the fluid. (I need to get off my soapbox!)
I change my brake fluid every 2 years on all cars for continued braking performance and component longevity. It's easy with a vacuum bleeder and only takes a few mins.

[yewlock]

Originally Posted by pwrdbym

Really interesting how the service interval changes when the components don't change. Kind of like how BMW used to require transmission and diff fluid changes at certain intervals, but then they went to free scheduled maintenance and all of a sudden the same fluid in the same hardware went to "lifetime" overnight. I'd imagine brake fluid extension is also a cost saving measure to only allow 1 free fluid change, rather than 2.

Everything said here is true, if you want the X5 to run trouble free to 150-200k preventative maintenance is key. If all you want is 100k out of it then you can probably never change the fluid. (I need to get off my soapbox!)
I change my brake fluid every 2 years on all cars for continued braking performance and component longevity. It's easy with a vacuum bleeder and only takes a few mins.

Which vacuum bleeder that you use? Any link?

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

No, it’s not. It’s not based on mileage at all, only on time.

Lol You must have missed me saying to do it every two years. And mileage certainly does affect it. The way you drive, etc. you may not find a specific guide that says to do it every 10/20/30k miles but I guarantee mileage is a factor and was simply stating that at 50k miles one should be doing it.

[pwrdbym]

Originally Posted by yewlock

Which vacuum bleeder that you use? Any link?

[/QUOTE]Which vacuum bleeder that you use? Any link?[/QUOTE]

I use both of these quite a bit. The OTC one requires air. The Motive is pressure only (note for the motive you also need the BMW cap).
I always remove all the old fluid from the reservoir with a syringe first to cut time. Either one will work on the F15 just fine. Be sure to have the proper wrench to loosen the bleeder.

OTC 8104A One Person Vacuum Brake Bleeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S8W3QA..._QowJDbPV5BZTG


Motive Products 100 Brake System Power Bleeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CJ5DV2I..._4pwJDbHRWFM6N