Brake Fluid code 7 after only 33k highway miles?

[hunter44102]

I just got an A1 7 code today. Car is just 2 years old and almost all highway miles. I was going to get a dealer oil change but now they are going to want to charge a crazy amount to flush all the brake fluid?

This must have been a bone Honda threw to the dealers because I have never changed brake fluid less than 5 years of owning a new car.

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[invader]

It is generally recommended to replace brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage, but very few do... It's not too hard to do yourself, but it's not very urgent.

 

[Civics4Ever]

I just got an A1 7 code today. Car is just 2 years old and almost all highway miles. I was going to get a dealer oil change but now they are going to want to charge a crazy amount to flush all the brake fluid?

This must have been a bone Honda threw to the dealers because I have never changed brake fluid less than 5 years of owning a new car.

How many miles on the car?

 

[hunter44102]

How many miles on the car?

33K Miles

 

[hunter44102]

I believe its a 2 year code. I bought the car December of 2015 so it's just over 2 years.

I also believe this is completely un-necessary. Code 7 did not exist before the CivicX. If you look up Maintenance minder codes all over the internet, they only go up to 6. So Honda invented this to keep the Dealers happy.

Brake fluid does not go bad after 2 years of highway mileage and light braking (I am a hypermiler who avoids braking!). So this a big money grab.

 

[Civics4Ever]

33K Miles

Sorry, forgot it was in the title. Mines at 29k and it's 1.5 years old now. Haven't gotten the code yet.

 

[3925blue]

I believe its a 2 year code. I bought the car December of 2015 so it's just over 2 years.

I also believe this is completely un-necessary. Code 7 did not exist before the CivicX. If you look up Maintenance minder codes all over the internet, they only go up to 6. So Honda invented this to keep the Dealers happy.

Brake fluid does not go bad after 2 years of highway mileage and light braking (I am a hypermiler who avoids braking!). So this a big money grab.

It's more than likely an extra careful reminder in an extra litigous society. You are correct that you have surely not boiled the fluid or some other serious event in your car's life, but, even with a cap on, brake/clutch fluid will absorb small amounts of water. If you want to ignore the code, you may very well get several more years of fine service out of it. It certainly does take a considerable amount of additional money to be fully compliant on all services, regardless of need. That's why a Ferrari with full service records from a Ferrari dealer is worth more than one without, even if known condition seems identical. You don't drive a Ferrari (probably, lol), so that sort of resale value doesn't exist; you drive a Honda wich will probably run fine for TEN years on the same brake fluid. Do what you feel comfortable with.

 

[TimberWolf]

It’s not a money grab. Every recent Honda has required brake fluid change every 3 years regardless of mileage. My E39 M5 required brake fluid replacement every 2 years, regardless of mileage. I think my Z32 300ZX required it every 3 years.

Brake fluid may not go bad after 3 years, but you really don’t want to wait until brake fluid goes bad. Funny thing is, engine oil doesn’t go bad after 3000 miles, yet a lot of people insist on changing it so frequently. Funny how some people are so willing to waste money on unnecessary maintenance, yet balk at other types of maintenance.

 

[hunter44102]

My issue is the fixed 2 year change regardless of driving and braking. For now I will probably do it at 5 years or when brakes need service.

 

[fjrman]

It's recommended due to cumulative water buildup in the fluid. It affects the boiling point and also becomes corrosive to the parts as more water accumulates.

It's good to change it because it helps protect the ABS actuator under the hood from corrosion and possible failure. That's a precision device and any internal corrosion can be critical.

It's easy to change. Brake fluid is very inexpensive.

With the electric parking brake, ABS brakes, etc. changing the fluid regularly makes a lot of sense.

 

[FN2_expat]

just to put things into perspective:
for the track-version of my previous motorcycle official honda maintenance manual stated that brake fluid should be changed after
1) 6 track-hours
2) each wet session

brake fluid absorb moisture
the higher the grade of the fluid - the more pronounced will be the drop in performance caused by the moisture build-up

stay safe. use DOT5.1, change it every 2 years and enjoy your brakes

 

[ayau]

It's a $10 job if you have the right tools. I bleed the brakes annually on my cars. Old brake fluid will eventually corrode the braking system.

 

[hunter44102]

Is there an easy way to know if the dealer actually changed the fluid?

 

[FN2_expat]

Is there an easy way to know if the dealer actually changed the fluid?

put a drip of paint outside the gap in between a brake reservoir cap and reservoir itself
to change the fluid the cap has to be opened
if your paint "seal" is still there after - well, you know they're lying

 

[FK7Hatch]

It is indeed recommended every 2 years, brake fluid absorbs moisture in the air, this in turn lowers the boiling point of the fluid. In most cases it can go longer than 2 years, but you risk corroding the lines from the inside out if you do so (you can test this with the copper brake fluid test strips) Essentially the lines are 2 pieces of steel with a copper core... Anyways brake fluid isn't recirculated through the whole system, so just because the reservoir looks good, doesn't mean down at the calipers the fluid is good.

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