My 2010 Mini (I bought in 2009 Nov) is just coming up on 2 years and 18,000 miles.

I have been getting an exclamation mark (yellow) on startup.

I cycled through the service info and it seems the mark is for "brake fluid."

Is brake fluid OEM change recommendation by time?

November is when I would get the 2nd yearly oil change.

Just wondering if I should wait about 3 weeks, or go in for brake fluid now, and oil again in a month.

Thanks

 

I believe it's due on time. Mine showed back in July, still havn't had it done. It calls for the brake fluid to be chaged every 2 years. You should be good till you change your oil

 

The clock starts when the car is built not when it is sold so MINI is ready to do the brake fluid - why aren't you?

 

Why in the world would any car need brake fluid replaced after only 2 years?

 

Molly just had her Brake Fluid flushed on Wednesday of last week, as explained by my SA the Brake Fluid gets contaminated (don't remember the terminology he used), the system then needs to be cleaned and new Brake Fluid put in. Molly was 3.5yrs. Old on Wednesday and was in for her Semi-Annual Service anyway.

 

Thanks guys. So 2 years it is, I guess. Will wait till Nov and do oil change at same time.

 

To answer the question: Why in the world would any car need brake fluid replaced after only 2 years?

DOT-3 and -4 brake fluids are hygroscopic, meaning they readily absorb moisture. Over time, the fluid absorbs water from the air in the reservoir and when it is opened. This water, added to the brake fluid, lowers the boiling point of the fluid. Normal driving won't be a problem, but in spirited (track/autocross/etc) driving, as the fluid heats up, the water can exceed the saturation temperature (for water) and actually boil. This means you now have some amount of compressible gas (aka: steam) in your brake lines. This is not good, since the hydraulic system is designed to work with the relatively non-compressible fluid, and since you are now wasting some of that pedal force compressing the gas.

All you have to do to avoid this is change your fluid every couple of years. Can you go longer? Sure, but the MINI is a relatively sporty car and if you're going to drive it in a relatively sporty fashion, I would recommend changing the brake fluid every two years.

BTW, most tracks require you verify that you've replaced the brake fluid within the past 6 months to pass the technical inspection.

HTH.

 

It isn't just the fact that your brakes will boil more easily. The water trapped in the brake fluid will rust out any steel parts of the brake system. This causes leaks and other problems with the brakes, like "OMG IT WON'T STOP!" if left to go for a long time.

All cars should have their brake fluid replaced every other year. The MINI is one that actually reminds you to do so!

 

Gotcha. I was thinking more along the lines of a daily commuter, not a car you guys are racing in.....I can see the need there..Tks

 

It's also something that should be done in a daily commuter. Rust on precision-machined surfaces is usually a Bad Thing.

 

Dumb, but just take the car to the dealer and they will do both the oil and the brake fluid. Call the SA, and see what they say. Besides, why pay for, or do an oil change that MINI will do for free. (when it's due according to the CBS) I mean the car came with 3 years of free service...