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(photo courtesy: www.tacomaworld.com)
Gregg writes:
Sajeev,
I have a 2006 Tacoma with 50K miles and anti-lock brakes. I feel it is time to change the brake fluid as a preventative maintenance measure. I have the tools and have bled numerous non-antilock brake systems and have done some research into what it would take to fully refresh the fluid. Some forum people suggest the usual bleeding procedure followed by causing the antilock feature to react by stopping quickly on a dirt road or similar circumstances and then re-bleeding the system. Also mentioned is using a code reader to actuate the antilock system.
Personally I wouldn’t mind paying for a lower end code reader if I knew it would do what I needed, but I certainly am not going to spend big bucks for one. Do you or any of the readers know what will activate the anti-lock system with minimal expenditure?
I also noticed that there is a hose about 3/8 inch ID attached to the master cylinder reservoir that appears to be the return form the anti-lock system. I could easily make up a catch container to keep the return fluid from mixing with the new fluid I would put in the reservoir.
What do you think about using DOT-4 fluid?
Thanks,
Gregg
Sajeev answers:
Because modern braking systems are a far cry from the old days, this is a time when RTFM is abso-Fing-lutely mandatory for everyone’s safety.
Either buy the factory manuals, or be a forum junkie (like reading this) as they regularly cover these concerns. The forum suggests flushing brake fluid without the tool is no biggie, but honestly, the “correct” procedure doesn’t look that hard if you buy the right tool or its cheapy laptop alternative.
This loaded task implies you’re forgiven for taking it to a shop with the proper tools, like this cool sucky brake fluid machine. Time value of money and all that.
I can’t quickly Google the factory brake fluid for your truck, but regarding DOT 4: it interchanges with DOT 3 with a higher boiling point. But it doesn’t keep the boiling point higher for as long as you might think. That said, everything suggests DOT 3 systems can be flushed and replaced with DOT4 and it is good idea if you flush DOT 4 on a regular basis. DOT 5 is different, its silicone (not glycol) based. DOT 5.1 is glycol, but I haven’t read anything conclusive about replacing older fluid designs with it.
Whew!
Off to you Best and Brightest, especially those with more firsthand experience in various types of brake fluid.
Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.
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