BMW 535i xDrive Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(53)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(53)

Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection Service

How much does a Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW 535i xDrive Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2012 BMW 535i xDriveL6-3.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$132.49 - $145.62
2014 BMW 535i xDriveL6-3.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2013 BMW 535i xDriveL6-3.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2010 BMW 535i xDriveL6-3.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.48 - $125.60
2015 BMW 535i xDriveL6-3.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.55 - $125.72
2016 BMW 535i xDriveL6-3.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2011 BMW 535i xDriveL6-3.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$117.28 - $130.25
2009 BMW 535i xDriveL6-3.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$117.94 - $131.39
Show example BMW 535i xDrive Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection prices

Your car requires several different fluids in order to operate. Engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and coolant are all essential. Another important one is brake fluid. Like other fluids, your brake fluid will deteriorate over time and eventually need to be replaced with a brake system flush. If you’ve noticed that your brake fluid appears black or brown, it’s well past time for a service.

How this system works:

Your brakes are operated by fluid pressure. The master cylinder and brake booster work to create pressure, which is then directed to the moving parts of the system (the calipers and shoe actuators). In a normal system, the brake fluid is clear or very light gold in color. This is true whether your car requires DOT 3, 4 or 5 brake fluid.

Brake fluid is held in the master cylinder reservoir, but it is also stored in the brake lines that run from the master cylinder to each wheel. You have two types of brake lines – steel and rubber. Over time and through normal use, brake fluid becomes contaminated. This happens on all vehicles, even brand new ones.

It requires only a couple of years for the fluid to build up enough contaminants that the color begins to change. It will darken over time, changing from clear/golden to a darker gold. In severe situations, your brake fluid may appear to be brown, or even black (think used engine oil).

It’s important that your brake fluid is changed regularly, before it turns brown or black. Very dark colors indicate that your fluid has collected a significant amount of contamination, and might have absorbed moisture, as well. This reduces the system’s ability to build pressure, which compromises your braking performance. You may have noticed that your brake pedal feels softer, or spongy. In serious situations, you may have to pump the pedal a couple of times for it to work properly.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Normal Aging Gone to the Extreme: The most common reason that brake fluid appears brown or black is that normal aging has gone unchecked (you haven’t had the fluid changed in too long). Contaminants collect in the fluid, darkening the color and reducing its ability to work.

  • Moisture Contamination: Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This generally occurs by rubber brake lines allowing moisture to seep in. When moisture accumulates in brake fluid, it causes problems in a couple of ways. Water has a much lower boiling point than brake fluid, and can reach very high temperatures at the calipers and drums. This causes the water to flash boil into steam, causing the brake fluid to darken, but also creating air in the lines. This can cause a soft pedal, or even cause you to have to pump the brake pedal to get the system to work properly.

  • Deteriorating Rubber Lines: The rubber brake lines on your car will eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced. Brake fluid is also corrosive, and while the lines are designed to withstand that corrosion, they’ll eventually begin to break down. Microscopic pieces of rubber and chemicals leaching out of the lines into the fluid will also cause it to darken.

  • Normal Heating: Brake fluid is heated by contact with the calipers, and this heat creates a chemical change in the fluid, adding to the darkening created by moisture and other types of contamination.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office and visually inspect your brake fluid’s condition, the master cylinder and the rest of the system to determine if the problem is simply due to normal age and wear/tear. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will inspect the master cylinder, lines and other brake system components. The mechanic will also determine how long it has been since your brake fluid was last changed, and may need to perform a brake fluid flush to remove the contaminated, old fluid and replace it with fresh, clean fluid.

How important is this service?

Brake fluid darkens as it ages – it’s natural, and due to normal contamination that occurs in all brake systems. However, it must be changed regularly, or you risk reduced braking performance and the deterioration or damage of other brake system components. One of our professional mechanics can inspect your system, change your fluid, and ensure that you enjoy the safety you deserve on the road.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Real customer reviews from BMW owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(53)

Rating Summary
47
2
1
2
1
47
2
1
2
1

Kiri

20 years of experience
372 reviews
Kiri
20 years of experience
BMW 535i xDrive L6-3.0L Turbo - Brake System Flush - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fast, professional, great service!

Kevin

24 years of experience
539 reviews
Kevin
24 years of experience
BMW 535i xDrive L6-3.0L Turbo - Battery - Lawrenceville, Georgia
Great job.

Rigoberto

11 years of experience
739 reviews
Rigoberto
11 years of experience
BMW 535i xDrive L6-3.0L Turbo - Oil Change - Northbrook, Illinois
Maintenance and inspection

H

26 years of experience
828 reviews
H
26 years of experience
BMW 535i xDrive L6-3.0L Turbo - Oil Change - Los Altos, California
Another excellent service

Excellent Rating

(53)

Rating Summary
47
2
1
2
1
47
2
1
2
1
Number of BMW 535i xDrive services completed
583+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Toyota Prius C
Car Car buyers in the market for a sub-compact car with a low price tag should really take a look at the 2012 Toyota Prius C. Toyota led the way with hybrid technology when they first introduced the Prius, and...
P2261 OBD-II Trouble Code: Turbo/Super Charger Bypass Valve - Mechanical
P2261 P2261 code definition Turbo/Super Charger Bypass Valve - Mechanical What the P2261 code means The P2261 diagnostic trouble code is an indication that the turbo/super charger bypass valve mechanical control circuit is giving the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) a...
10 Tools Every Professional Automotive Technician Needs
Automotive technician jobs are made easier with the right tools. The Tite-Reach Ratchet Extender lets you access tight spots without removing parts.

Intermittent jerking when shifting

Since you said the problem only happens between 3rd and 4th gear, you likely have an internal transmission problem. An engine performance problem would likely be noticeable in all gears. Also, since the problem only happens when shifting from 3rd...

Wrench symbol shows on dash after cranking the engine. Now the wrench symbol stays on.

Hi there. When the wrench light comes on, this is the symbol used by the computer to alert the driver that there is a problem with the engine or transmission and puts the vehicle into limp mode. You would need...

Battery light on or off while driving won't start now

The battery should be load tested (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection). If the battery fails the load test, the battery should be replaced. If you need to schedule battery replacement service, please schedule via YourMechanic's battery replacement service request page (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement). If you request...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com