more maintenance interval questions

tranquility · 08-15-2013, 02:43 PM

I understand that brake fluids should be changed either 2 yrs or 48,000km/30,000miles: can it be the *latter* of instead of the *earlier* of? I use my brakes way less than the avg driver.

Is a power steering fluid flush necessary? Same question for Air Conditioning Evaporator Cleaning? What the heck is that? I change my cabin microfilter every 2 years already. I've never done either of those to my car and it's 3 yrs and 100,000km/60,000miles.

Thx!

mbetoni · 08-15-2013, 04:09 PM

With brake fluid, it's not about how much you do or don't use the brakes, it's time. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which is a fancy way of saying that it absorbs moisture from the air over time. More water = bad for brake fluid. Every two years is a good rule of thumb.

The latter two, don't have a good answer for you. Neither is extensively mentioned in the BMW Lifetime Maintenance schedule (aka 'old school maintenance') that I can recall.

jparnes1 · 08-15-2013, 04:34 PM

No PS fluid in our car. It has electric steering, not hydraulic.

tranquility · 08-15-2013, 04:36 PM

Thx guys for the advice. Ok, so I'll do the latter of for the brake fluid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

No PS fluid in our car. It has electric steering, not hydraulic.

That's weird, I guess that the dealership is not too familiar w/ our cars then, that's why he suggested.

nicknaz · 08-16-2013, 01:02 PM

One minor point about the brake fluid is that for a "keeper" I would do the flush sooner rather than later (in fact, I would do it annually) because my understanding is the water in the brake fluid can corrode parts in the brake system, particularly the calipers.

EDIT: As to why PS fluid flush was suggested, some dealers would charge you to flush headlight fluid if they could get away with it

Time for a new SA.....

mbetoni · 08-16-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

No PS fluid in our car. It has electric steering, not hydraulic.

Admittedly smacked my head on this one, as of course I realize this and was thrown off by the original question. Thanks

jparnes1 · 08-16-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

One minor point about the brake fluid is that for a "keeper" I would do the flush sooner rather than later (in fact, I would do it annually) because my understanding is the water in the brake fluid can corrode parts in the brake system, particularly the calipers.

EDIT: As to why PS fluid flush was suggested, some dealers would charge you to flush headlight fluid if they could get away with it

Time for a new SA.....

I agree on once a year on brake fluid. My understanding is that BMW suggests every 3 years for us.

tranquility · 08-16-2013, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

One minor point about the brake fluid is that for a "keeper" I would do the flush sooner rather than later (in fact, I would do it annually) because my understanding is the water in the brake fluid can corrode parts in the brake system, particularly the calipers.

EDIT: As to why PS fluid flush was suggested, some dealers would charge you to flush headlight fluid if they could get away with it

Time for a new SA.....

Darn, 1 vs 2 yrs is a big difference...which one does the majority go for...also someone said BMW recommends 3 yrs? My head is gonna explode lol.

Re PS fluid flush, ya, that's why I'm glad you guys have my back hahaha. I was wondering about that, never heard of it recommended b4. It was like, huh? O_o

fisherman · 08-17-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I agree on once a year on brake fluid. My understanding is that BMW suggests every 3 years for us.

I'm bringing my 30i in in a couple weeks for the final normal maintenance ( number 3 ) covered under the warranty. If you do not meet the mileage intervals because of low mileage, BMW insists that you wait at least a calendar year before they will do the oil change/maintenance check. This effectively means that I will never get a 4th oil change, because the car would be slightly over 4 calendar years when BMW would schedule the final appointment.

I've never had a service issue, so I've been a happy guy , but it would seem they should cover 4 oil changes in 4 years under the 4 year policy.

From your comment, do you think BMW will change the brake fluid at this 3 year routine service ?

mbetoni · 08-17-2013, 10:02 AM

I've always stuck with 2 years for brake fluid, 2 years for coolant, annual oil change (low miles) and mileage based gearbox and differential changes. Never had an issue, but never track the car, FWIW.

jparnes1 · 08-17-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisherman

I'm bringing my 30i in in a couple weeks for the final normal maintenance ( number 3 ) covered under the warranty. If you do not meet the mileage intervals because of low mileage, BMW insists that you wait at least a calendar year before they will do the oil change/maintenance check. This effectively means that I will never get a 4th oil change, because the car would be slightly over 4 calendar years when BMW would schedule the final appointment.

I've never had a service issue, so I've been a happy guy , but it would seem they should cover 4 oil changes in 4 years under the 4 year policy.

From your comment, do you think BMW will change the brake fluid at this 3 year routine service ?

The low mileage oil change is based on when you're last oil change occurred. It has to be within 1 week of 1 year for them to do it.

fisherman · 08-18-2013, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

The low mileage oil change is based on when you're last oil change occurred. It has to be within 1 week of 1 year for them to do it.

I know- that's what I've done the last 2 years, and have the 3rd one scheduled in two weeks. My question was more about the brake fluid change- will they do it on the 3rd year visit ? ( they haven't done it the first 2 years )

jparnes1 · 08-18-2013, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisherman

I know- that's what I've done the last 2 years, and have the 3rd one scheduled in two weeks. My question was more about the brake fluid change- will they do it on the 3rd year visit ? ( they haven't done it the first 2 years )

They should. The CBS indicates brake fluid at 3 years.

nicknaz · 08-18-2013, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

Darn, 1 vs 2 yrs is a big difference...which one does the majority go for...

My guess is that if its a leaser its whatever the CBS says but if its a keeper then people will do "old school" maintenance schedule and do it annually

08-15-2013, 02:43 PM	#1
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	more maintenance interval questions I understand that brake fluids should be changed either 2 yrs or 48,000km/30,000miles: can it be the latter of instead of the earlier of? I use my brakes way less than the avg driver. Is a power steering fluid flush necessary? Same question for Air Conditioning Evaporator Cleaning? What the heck is that? I change my cabin microfilter every 2 years already. I've never done either of those to my car and it's 3 yrs and 100,000km/60,000miles. Thx!
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08-15-2013, 04:09 PM	#2
mbetoni First Lieutenant 19 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2014 Z435is Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	With brake fluid, it's not about how much you do or don't use the brakes, it's time. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which is a fancy way of saying that it absorbs moisture from the air over time. More water = bad for brake fluid. Every two years is a good rule of thumb. The latter two, don't have a good answer for you. Neither is extensively mentioned in the BMW Lifetime Maintenance schedule (aka 'old school maintenance') that I can recall.
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08-15-2013, 04:34 PM	#3
jparnes1 Colonel 245 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	No PS fluid in our car. It has electric steering, not hydraulic. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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08-16-2013, 01:02 PM	#5
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	One minor point about the brake fluid is that for a "keeper" I would do the flush sooner rather than later (in fact, I would do it annually) because my understanding is the water in the brake fluid can corrode parts in the brake system, particularly the calipers. EDIT: As to why PS fluid flush was suggested, some dealers would charge you to flush headlight fluid if they could get away with it Time for a new SA.....
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08-17-2013, 10:02 AM	#10
mbetoni First Lieutenant 19 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2014 Z435is Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I've always stuck with 2 years for brake fluid, 2 years for coolant, annual oil change (low miles) and mileage based gearbox and differential changes. Never had an issue, but never track the car, FWIW.
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