Brake Fluid Drain/Fill, Mazda dealer says NO
- Thread starter wlong01
- Start date
Arcticshade
Contributor
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- 2017 CX5 GT AWD w/ PP & 2016.5 CX5 GT AWD w/ Tech and Nav
I call shenanigans.
There is no set time to change the brake fluid in your vehicle. The timing varies by driving conditions, but a good rule of thumb is to check it during regular oil changes, and expect to change it every four to five years. Signs that you should get your brake fluid checked immediately include fluid that has a burnt odor, is not clear or transparent, or is at a lower level than it's supposed to be.
Mine started to turn brown at about 2 1/2 years. I changed it around 40K miles.
There is no set time to change the brake fluid in your vehicle. The timing varies by driving conditions, but a good rule of thumb is to check it during regular oil changes, and expect to change it every four to five years. Signs that you should get your brake fluid checked immediately include fluid that has a burnt odor, is not clear or transparent, or is at a lower level than it's supposed to be.
Mine started to turn brown at about 2 1/2 years. I changed it around 40K miles.
No, I pressed her on it. She said Mazda recommends against changing the fluid. Not sure if they only want it changed when the brakes are replaced or what.
I'll talk to a tech when I bring the car in next week. This is the only dealer I've ever encountered that refuses to do service.
They've been a Mazda dealer for at least 40 years. I've bought two Mazda's from them previously.
Arcticshade
Contributor
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- 2017 CX5 GT AWD w/ PP & 2016.5 CX5 GT AWD w/ Tech and Nav
Is it possible the dealer was confused with ATF instead of brake fluid?
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- Plano, Texas, USA
I agree with Arcticshade as usually people say brake fluid flush, but for our SkyActiv-Drive transmission we use drain-and-fill.
Although it's not listed on our US maintenance schedule, Brake fluid flush is actually listed on CX-5 maintenance schedule with 2-year interval in other regions. We can check brake fluid moisture level, and do the flush if it's 2% or higher.
For your 2016 CX-5, it won't hurt to replace your brake fluid at this time. It's time, not mileage, as the measurement for brake fluid replacement if you don't check the moisture level. In my experience, I did the first brake fluid change after 20 years at 182K miles on my 1998 Honda CR-V. Like Mazda, there's no maintenance schedule for brake fluid change. There's no ill-effect for the brake fluid after that many years. The only thing I regret is I should get a cheap brake fluid moisture tester and see the moisture level on the 20-year-old brake fluid.
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- San Diego, CA
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- 2014 Mazda3 S GT auto, 2008 MX5 6-speed
As a general rule of thumb, I have the brake fluid replaced at every brake service. The average humidity here in southern Cali is typically high when the car is in the garage - night and early morning, so that may allow the many year separation between changes without adverse consequences.
The cost is minimal, so why not have it done when it is most convenient - during change of brake pads? (at minimum)
The cost is minimal, so why not have it done when it is most convenient - during change of brake pads? (at minimum)
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- 2023 CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto
RIP 8/23:2013 CX-5 Sport FWD Auto 120k
That would be too long an interval for me. At 7 years 70k my original brakes still had life in them. 3 years is a very good rule of thumb. You really don*t water ruining the ABS components over the long term. Fluid is much cheaper than a brake system failure 
I don't think moisture content is a big worry anymore since the system is tight. I've read that the bigger problem is additive breakdown in the fluid.
Yeah - can't wait until I ask the dealer to change the ATF fluid. That should be interesting.
My main objective was to have the dealers service remove the existing brake fluid and put in new fluid. If it requires a flush - fine. I don't care how they do it as long as it's an approved method. Based on what the service writer said over the phone they don't do it per Mazda. It's possible she just sets up appointments and doesn't know what she's talking about.
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- San Diego, CA
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- 2014 Mazda3 S GT auto, 2008 MX5 6-speed
That would be too long an interval for me. At 7 years 70k my original brakes still had life in them. 3 years is a very good rule of thumb. You really don*t water ruining the ABS components over the long term. Fluid is much cheaper than a brake system failure
Remember that many drivers accelerate and brake more aggressively than others. The mileage and time mean nothing if the number of aggressive actuations is high. I see drivers every day who are accelerating toward a stop sign or red light, and then slamming on their brakes at the last couple of seconds. Their pads will not last nearly as long as my pads will. Also, some people live on steep hills which guarantees more brake wear.
tight? Is the braking system completely sealed and not open to the atmosphere at all?
Chris_Top_Her
Contributor
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- San Antonio, Texas
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- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
So many clueless people at a dealer, you gotta go in person so you can interpret who clearly doesn't know what they are talking about and who does. Luckily the guys at my choice dealer are generally knowledgable dudes. They know me by name since I'm always there for parts lol (almost never for service).
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- 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature
It couldn't be totally sealed or the fluid in the reservoir would never go down as pads/rotors depleted.
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- 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature
But only if an equal volume of air enters the reservoir. Otherwise there'd be a vacuum and it couldn't draw-down the brake fluid.
