# Brake and Power Steering Fluid **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chrysler, towncountry\ **Created:** [April 13, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655 "2013-04-13T14:53:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tlm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@tlm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tlm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/1 "2013-04-13T14:53:45Z")
I was advised to replace my brake and power steering fluild at 40,000 by the Chrysler Dealer. Ever heard of this? ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/2 "2013-04-13T15:15:28Z")
Yes, by dealers who need to increase their profits. Unless they have some indication there is contamination, it’s bogus if the manual says something different. What does the manual say ? ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/3 "2013-04-13T15:16:50Z")
Yes…And you should. Brake fluid and power steering fluid is hygroscopic - meaning it absorbs water. Water will contaminate the fluid. Flushing it removes the water. It’s a pretty simple job if you want to do it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/4 "2013-04-13T16:14:42Z")
I’m a believer in flushing brake fluid every 3-4 years. I’ve replaced too many pitted calipers and brake cylinders when they weren’t flushed. Plus, with the expense of the ABS unit, it’s not worth the risk of having moisture-filled brake fluid pit the internal components in it. ---
**Author:** ![tlm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@tlm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tlm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/5 "2013-04-13T18:38:41Z")
Thanks! I can see both sides of this debate. I just thought I was getting riped off. I’ll check the maintenance book. Terry ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/6 "2013-04-13T22:31:06Z")
I don’t agree with the power steering fluid, I have two 15 year old vehicles with the original power steering fluid in them. I do flush out my brake fluid every time I replace the pads or do any work on the brakes, and that turns out be be every 3-4 years anyway. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/7 "2013-04-13T23:38:01Z")
I was taught to flush brake fluid every 2 years, actually. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/8 "2013-04-14T01:14:18Z")
I change brake fluid every 3 years. Since I drive 4000 miles a year and the last set of brake pads lasted 70,000 miles changing the fluid when the pads are changed wouldn’t work for me. Once a year I drain and refill the power steering fluid reservoir. It’s a cheap, easy DIY job done with a turkey baster or small siphon hose. ---
**Author:** ![KiwiME](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/0ea827/32.png) [@KiwiME](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KiwiME)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-and-power-steering-fluid/78655/9 "2013-04-14T01:40:35Z")
Brake fluid is normally specified by manufacturers to be changed every two or three years. Power steering fluid is normally ATF or another mineral or synthetic hydraulic oil and is not hygroscopic. If not specifically addressed in the maintenance schedule you can change if you wish as preventative maintenance.