# Did my brake fluid actually get replaced?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/did-my-brake-fluid-actually-get-replaced/193095>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** fluids, brakes\
**Created:** [September 27, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/did-my-brake-fluid-actually-get-replaced/193095 "2023-09-27T18:10:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wnsnavigator73\_187041](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/71c47a/32.png) [@wnsnavigator73\_187041](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wnsnavigator73_187041)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/did-my-brake-fluid-actually-get-replaced/193095/1 "2023-09-27T18:10:10Z")

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I just had my 2005 Subaru Outback at the mechanic to do a brake fluid change, but when I look at the fluid reservoir, the fluid still looks very dark. I have a newer car and the fluid is so clear, I have to look really close to see where the level is. But in this Outback, I’m concerned the mechanic didn’t actually add new fluid. Could it be the old dirty fluid combined with age permanently discolored the reservoir so it always looks dark even if fluid is new? What can I do to make sure there is actually new clean fluid in the system?

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/did-my-brake-fluid-actually-get-replaced/193095/2 "2023-09-27T18:18:12Z")

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I’d take a sample out of the reservoir and put it in a clear glass, compare it to some new fluid. The reservoir could be discolored.

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**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:** [September 27, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/did-my-brake-fluid-actually-get-replaced/193095/3 "2023-09-27T18:20:50Z")

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> [@wnsnavigator73\_187041](#):
>
> What can I do to make sure there is actually new clean fluid in the system?

Test it for moisture content. If it is over 1%, it wasn’t changed properly.

Amazon has testers for this. Or you can test it with a multimeter

[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/4/f/4fcaefca174faf119239f4264c811340264b82f2.jpeg "Experienced motorists know how to check brake fluid with a multimeter") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOG5UE-P1AE)