High copper content in my brake fluid - is this a scam?

[murphy55d]

Had an oil change and tire rotation done at Monro today, and after they went over my vehicle with their "safety check" or whatever they call it, he showed me some kind of test strip that showed a copper content in my brake fluid of 100ppm, which he says requires a full brake fluid flush. I get my oil changed here a good bit as they usually have a $19 coupon for oil change and tire rotation, and this was the first time I ever heard of this test there, or them even doing it.

They said it'd be $125 I think and based on what I have read online, this sort of sounds like an unnecessary procedure, but I wanted to ask here. What also made me skeptical was the people who were done right before me, also had the same test done, with the same result. Except their car looked to be a late 90s cavalier, and I have an 08 XL-7 with 54k miles. I even asked him if that was normal for a car with my mileage, and he said yeah, that's unusual.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Vic Vega]

Is he trying to upsell you? Sure. Is he right? Depends. Have you ever changed your brake fluid? More than anything, brake fluid will absorb moisture and your service manual does have a life cycle and maintenance cycle for it. You just need to determine if it needs to be done based on that.

If it does need to be done, take it to a brake shop or the dealer. I wouldn't want oil change monkeys working on my brake system in any capacity.

 

[murphy55d]

We just bought the vehicle this past year, so we have never done it ourselves.

 

[jonesthewine]

Have you ever changed your brake fluid? More than anything, brake fluid will absorb moisture and your service manual does have a life cycle and maintenance cycle for it. You just need to determine if it needs to be done based on that.

If it does need to be done, take it to a brake shop or the dealer. I wouldn't want oil change monkeys working on my brake system in any capacity.

This is correct...every couple of years the brake fluid should be bled out & replaced...especially so if you live in a hotter area & more humid area.

 

[Vic Vega]

We just bought the vehicle this past year, so we have never done it ourselves.

My general rule of thumb with a used car is if there is no documentation for a particular service being done, then it hasn't been done and I go ahead and do it.

 

[murphy55d]

Alright, thanks for the advice. I'll look into getting this done then.

 

[Bartman39]

Here is some good information on this but it seems they are bit premature with their test...?
http://brakefluidtest.com/news/articles/new-brake-fluid-test-puts.shtml

 

[Vic Vega]

Alright, thanks for the advice. I'll look into getting this done then.

Yup, NP. Just take a look at your service guide. It will probably be included as part of a mileage based service which includes many things, ie: at XXX miles replace brake fluid, change oil, rotate tires, replace shocks, etc, etc.

Unless something is obviously broken with the car stick to this guide provided by the manufacturer.

 

[Vic Vega]

From Bartman's article:

Now, new technology and standards are finally putting the decades-old moisture myth to rest. Especially since today's Anti-Lock Brake Systems and brake fluids are designed to reduce or eliminate moisture related problems. In fact, GM, Ford and Chrysler have no recommendation for brake fluid service based on moisture because it's not considered a safety threat or service issue.

1.) There was never any myth. The volume of fluid does in crease over time due to moisture, that can be measured - it's not a lot but it proves absorption happens and water isn't good for the brake system. There's really no denying this and it's why manufacturers have done things to mitigate the effects moisture can have. This article sort of contradicts itself... they say it's a myth, then say it's being worked on.

2.) Just because these companies don't cite moisture as a reason for changing the fluid, doesn't mean you can leave it unchanged and none of them have taken it out of the maintenance cycle.

Things to think about.

 

[HeXen]

moisture gets in most everything in a car. its impossible to keep it out. You can put filters in to seperate the water, but everything needs flushed in a car eventually. braklines, power steering, radiator..etc.

 

[Bartman39]

From Bartman's article:

1.) There was never any myth. The volume of fluid does in crease over time due to moisture, that can be measured - it's not a lot but it proves absorption happens and water isn't good for the brake system. There's really no denying this and it's why manufacturers have done things to mitigate the effects moisture can have. This article sort of contradicts itself... they say it's a myth, then say it's being worked on.

2.) Just because these companies don't cite moisture as a reason for changing the fluid, doesn't mean you can leave it unchanged and none of them have taken it out of the maintenance cycle.

Things to think about.

I tend to agree moisture does affect the performance of brake fluid... But have never seen it be that much of an issue if the brakes are serviced properly... I clamp the line with special vise grip pliers that have rounded jaws and open the bleeder screw and compress the caliper piston all the way in then re-tighten the bleeder screw and refill the master cylinder res.... I then remove the clamp and open the bleeder screw again and let it gravity bleed so it gives the fresh fluid a chance to work its way down through the system... If this is done at each brake job (front & rear) then I do not feel the need to do a complete flush...

But the main reason I linked that article was for the copper issue... The PPM is higher than what his shop is saying...