Q: If my mechanic says I have dark brake fluid, do I need to bleed the brakes?
Went to dealer. Said my brake fluid is dark(er)/contaminated. To fix it’ll cost $160. I’m researching how I can fix. I learned how to take the old oil out of resovoir and put new brake fluid in, but I’m not sure if I have to bleed brakes.
My car has 35000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Hi John. Thanks for sending in your question today. With today’s ABS systems, bleeding the brakes or flushing the brake system due to contaminated brake fluid is a very complex process that requires special tools to complete it correctly. If the dealership is going to charge $160 to complete this service, that’s actually a rather fair cost. I would recommend letting a professional take care of this job as opposed to trying it on your own - as mistakes with brake bleeding can be extremely dangerous.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
What is the valet key?
The valet key is an extra key with limited functions. It can be used for turning on and off the vehicle, and for locking and unlocking the driver’s door. However, the key cannot be used to unlocking the passenger doors...
Burning smell from car
Was the garage closed or open? Have you noticed this smell at any other time? There may not be a problem at all. Remember that catalyst converters get hot and cars run a lot hotter than they use to. Perhaps...
Windshield wipers only go one speed
The wiper high low relay, or fuse may be bad. I recommend having a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect your windshield wipers (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wipers-are-not-working-inspection), in order to identify and quote the repairs needed.
Problems with alarm
If you now have a key that fits the door you will have to hook up all the wires back to normal. After this is done, disconnect the battery and wait at least ten minutes. With all of the doors...
Odometer is registering too many miles
Hi there, thanks for writing in. You should first check to see if your tires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-tell-the-difference-in-size-for-a-car-tire-by-jason-unrau) are the same size as the tire size in the door of the car. If you are using the wrong size tire, then the...
my car rear wheels are slanted
The preferred camber setting in the rear for the 1998 Mirage is -0.69 degrees. However, camber in the rear on this vehicle can be in the range of -1.19 to -.19 and still be acceptable. If your camber setting is...
My battery light came on and my steering has became very hard to steer. I have to turn very hard. What could this be
Typically the battery light comes on (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-light-is-on-inspection) when the alternator is not providing electrical power to meet demands of the vehicle. That you lost power steering assist along with the battery light coming on, leads me to think the one...
My 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe was running fine i added oil and when i turned the car on later that day it started shaking what could it be?
Hello. This would usually only occur if you added to much oil or used the wrong weight oil. This engine needs the correct oil in order for the valve timing system to work right. It sounds like the vehicle should...
I had my transmission changed january this year and now i m having engine power reduced problems, could that be the reason?
Typically, the reduced power mode is triggered when there is an issue related to the transmission. There are a number of things that may cause and if the transmission was recently replaced, this may also have something to do with...
Related articles
2012 Toyota Highlander vs. 2012 Dodge Durango: Which One Should I Buy?
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are a fun class of vehicle: not only are they great for carpools and moving around friends and family, but you can also get them off-road and just get dirty and have fun with them. These...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Rainy Area
When When considering purchasing a used car, you have a lot of decisions to make. You need to consider price, size, gas mileage, how much cargo space you need, and of course the appearance of the car as well. And...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Gardener or Landscape Architect
Gardeners Gardeners and landscape architects need to haul around quite a bit of gear. As a gardener, chances are you will need to transport a variety of mowing equipment, along with smaller implements. You may also need to move shrubs,...
Browse other content
Maintenance
Cities
Services