# 2014 MINI Cooper Clubman - Question About Service Requirement **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 16, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-mini-cooper-clubman-question-about-service-requirement/146843 "2019-08-16T16:32:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StephenMathews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@StephenMathews](https://community.cartalk.com/u/StephenMathews)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-mini-cooper-clubman-question-about-service-requirement/146843/1 "2019-08-16T16:32:15Z")
I enjoy your article every week in the Sacramento Bee. (Please don’t publish this- they probably read your column also.) I bought my 2014 Mini at CarMax a year ago. My initial visit to a European Auto Service agency for a (expected) high cost service (oil change) and inspection… They found “High Moisture Content” in both brake fluid and A/C, with recommended costly flushes of each. I’m trying hard to give them benefit of doubt, but skeptical (high profit items?). I’m naive- is this a greater concern in European autos? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-mini-cooper-clubman-question-about-service-requirement/146843/2 "2019-08-16T16:44:38Z")
> [@StephenMathews](#): > > “High Moisture Content” in both brake fluid This IS a thing for both domestic and European autos. Brake fluid should be changed every 3-4 years or when a tool that measures moisture in the fluid is higher than 4%. Do it, it will save you money in repairs later on. An AC flush? Never hear of such a thing. Maybe they mean a coolant system flush? Yes, the car is due for that, too. ---
**Author:** ![StephenMathews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@StephenMathews](https://community.cartalk.com/u/StephenMathews)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2019, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-mini-cooper-clubman-question-about-service-requirement/146843/3 "2019-08-16T18:12:23Z")
Thanx for your response. I was told the brake fluid moisture was approaching 2%. (should I get one of those $11 sensor tools?) AC flush – my term for draining the cooland (freon?) and recharging the AC system. (“Excessive moisture would contribute to early failure of expensive AC components.”) ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-mini-cooper-clubman-question-about-service-requirement/146843/4 "2019-08-16T18:21:50Z")
You bought a high maintenance vehicle that needs to have all scheduled service done by the service schedule in the manual . And yes , have the brake fluid service . As for the Air Conditioner a second opinion from a actual air conditioner shop is needed. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2019, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-mini-cooper-clubman-question-about-service-requirement/146843/5 "2019-08-16T19:44:50Z")
> [@StephenMathews](#): > > AC flush – my term for draining the cooland (freon?) and recharging the AC system. Sealed system so how would moisture get IN to the system?? I have never heard of this. I’d be looking in your owners manual in the “service” section to see if this is listed. If it is not listed, get a second opinion. > [@StephenMathews](#): > > should I get one of those $11 sensor tools? I paid a bit more for mine but sure, go right ahead. I’d still do the flush, the car is 5 years old and 2% moisture content.