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2004 Infiniti M45 Base 4dr Sedan

2004 Infiniti M45
Trim Info:
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sedan, Mid-Size
17 mpg city / 23 mpg hwy
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October 3, 2011, 1:52 pm

Thomas P
 

Question: Changing Brake fuid on 06 M45?

Hello, I was told that my 2006 M45 Sport needed to have the brake fluid changed at 78000+ miles when I took it in for service. But I was searching through these service intervals and I cannot find one instance where it suggests replacing the brake fluid. In fact he justified it by saying on new M56 models the manufacturer suggests/mandates a change of the fluid every 15K miles because of the acidity and the potential for it to eat the boot in the master cylinder. Thoughts?


October 5, 2011, 9:56 pm

Elizabeth K
Expert Mechanic

Hmmm.... acidity. That's actually pretty funny.

He's off on his reasoning but correct on his suggestion. Brake fluid should be flushed about every 2 years because brake fluid is hydroscopic (it absorbs water) which is a very bad thing to have in a hydraulic system. One reason is that it turns to steam when it's hot and then there is the problem of hydraulic system failure (ie no brakes) but another is the water will cause rusting/pitting of the master cylinder and the caliper bore--causing fluid leaks and then failure of the hydraulic system (again, no brakes).

So do the job-- it is money well spent. But tell the service writer/mechanic that he needs to read a book once in a while--or at least an article.


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