# Brake fluid flush and fillup **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 21, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902 "2026-01-21T22:30:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/1 "2026-01-21T22:30:18Z")
I have a MB E500 4matic 2005 model. Its coming up for service oil and filter, cabin filter, brake fluid flush and fill up according to the dealers book. How important is the brake fluid flush and fill up? and what frequency is necessary. same for cabin filter - is that for the air coming in? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 10:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/2 "2026-01-21T22:53:03Z")
> **[How Often Does Your Car's Brake Fluid Really Need To Be Replaced? - SlashGear](https://www.slashgear.com/1912767/replace-brake-fluid-how-often-change-car-guide/)** > > Brake fluid is essential in every car, much like oil or gearbox fluid. However, a lot of car owners neglect replacing it, which is not a good idea. Tester ---
**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:** [January 22, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/3 "2026-01-22T00:00:12Z")
If you have the owners manual there should be a matinance schedule in it. That will show what should be done at xxxx miles or ■■ months. As for the cabin air filter yes it helps with air coming in the car, You might even find a You Tube video and you can do it your self a save money. Chances are that there are other things that should have been done by now. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/4 "2026-01-22T00:48:08Z")
Cabin filters I do about every 20k along with the engine air filter. I’m a little late with the brake flushes but it really improves braking. The Acura dealer charged about $100 when I was in for something else. The indi shop on the other car was about $200. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/5 "2026-01-22T01:17:36Z")
Cabin air filter changes are usually easy and the shop often overcharges for it. This YouTube video shows how to do it for your car. You can buy the filter on line or maybe at a local auto parts store, or the dealer. Again, check on line for availability at any parts store. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/6/9/698903ba1f66a9df177963ff1ce818a5bd40b83a.jpeg "How to Replace Mercedes Cabin Air Filter 2005 E320 E500 W211 Step-by-Step EASY") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRajNWDT0Tg) ---
**Author:** ![auto-owner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@auto-owner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/auto-owner)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 6:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/6 "2026-01-22T06:31:49Z")
> How important is the brake fluid flush and fill up? Fairly important to those selling it. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 11:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/7 "2026-01-22T11:55:25Z")
> [@auto-owner](#): > > Fairly important to those selling it. This answer implies it is a service that does not need to be done. The correct answer is in your owners manual. Brake fluid “soaks” up moisture. If water collects in the brake system it can rust from the inside out. So ignoring fluid flush can cost you more in the future when you need to replace calipers/hoses. I generally do it every 5 years. You’ll know you did good when the brake reservoir turns from dark and cloudy to almost clear. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/8 "2026-01-22T13:23:18Z")
If the vehicle is under the factory warranty, follow the maintenance schedule in your owners manual, should be able to find it online or ask your dealer for a copy of your maintenance schedule… Once out of warranty, you change your filters when they need changing, a lot affects that, mainly your climate, and driving conditions… If you check them and they look good, keep using them, if dirty, change them… Same with your brake fluid, when it starts to get a high copper content which indicates corrosion levels, change it, they make test strips for checking the condition of brake fluid, they also make brake fluid tester pens for checking, as well as you can use a DVOM (multimeter) to check the condition of your brake fluid, flush it when it is close to failing… But most vehicles are due every 2 years… Or if unsure or just to be safe, just follow the manufactures recommendations for the life of the vehicle.. Other fluids, change at the manufactures recommendations… ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/9 "2026-01-22T14:40:09Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > or ■■ months Hmm, do we need to start using Y instead of X? YY months. ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/10 "2026-01-22T14:46:58Z")
Thanks [Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer](https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=US_Acquisition_YMktg_315_SearchOrgConquer_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=US_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100002039&af_sub5=C01_Email_Static_&af_ios_store_cpp=0c38e4b0-a27e-40f9-a211-f4e2de32ab91&af_android_url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.mail&listing=search_organize_conquer) ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/11 "2026-01-22T15:11:36Z")
> [@ramikumi](#): > > Thanks > > [Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer] Your welcome, but not sure why you posted that link, probable advised to remove it before it gets flagged as spam… BTW I removed the link part of whatever that was for my post… ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid-flush-and-fillup/204902/12 "2026-01-22T15:16:29Z")
Depends where you go? Dealer? 2005 Mercedes? Oof. I bet they recommend about $12,000 in service. Hans foreign auto repair? Maybe $7,000. I’d be more worried about rusty brake lines. Not so much old fluid. Do you live in rusty locale?