2003 1.8 Liter Turbo Passat Brake Fluid

[chouxmein]

Just wondering if I needed to replace my brake fluid. I am due for my 40,000 mile check up (just a little over two years old) and my brake fluid is still crystal clear, is replacement necessary?

[dhoadley]

I changed mine at about 2yrs 6 months, which was late according to VW's recommendation. Brake fluid absorbs water and degrades over time. Knowing that German engineering typically doesn't plan for the wide tolerances that we are accustomed to in the USA, I decided to follow the mfg recommendation.

If you're a DIY'er:
I used a Valvoline synthetic brake fluid that exceeds DOT5. The specs were in excess of the Pentosin OEM stuff. The flush took a bit more than 1 qt, so buy two. I also bought a nifty tool for $5 that was basically a tube fitting to go over the bleeder with a check valve at the end. It allowed my to bleed the brakes single-handedly. Don't let the master cylinder go dry!

[LarryNH914]

Originally Posted by dhoadley

I changed mine at about 2yrs 6 months, which was late according to VW's recommendation. Brake fluid absorbs water and degrades over time. Knowing that German engineering typically doesn't plan for the wide tolerances that we are accustomed to in the USA, I decided to follow the mfg recommendation.

If you're a DIY'er:
I used a Valvoline synthetic brake fluid that exceeds DOT5. The specs were in excess of the Pentosin OEM stuff. The flush took a bit more than 1 qt, so buy two. I also bought a nifty tool for $5 that was basically a tube fitting to go over the bleeder with a check valve at the end. It allowed my to bleed the brakes single-handedly. Don't let the master cylinder go dry!

Hold the Phone!!!!!!

I am under the impression that the 2003 VW Passat take DOT 4! DOT 5 in the US is silicolne based and does not absorb water, but has different properties, like the pedel being mushier.... I am not sure it is safe to substitute DOT 5 for DOT 4 fluid. DOT 5 is not a better DOT 4!

[veedubmechanic]

you can mix dot 4 and 5 but you shouldnt. Its not good due to the chemical properties of each one, they will mix and gel... thats not good