DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Now our braking systems can corrode if we don't flush and replace our blake fluid.

What's next...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Depends. The issue with brake fluid is that conventional brake fluids are hydroscopic, meaning they absorb water from the moisture in the air in the brake fluid reservoir. This can lead to corrosion over long periods, but perhaps more importantly, water lowers the boiling point of brake fluid and under sustained heavy use (such as mountain driving), brake fluid boiling can result in diminished brake effectiveness. Silicon brake fluid avoids these issues (it is not hygroscopic), but is expensive.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I'm well aware of the technical aspects of the issue, my point being yet another change that essentially leads to increased costs to the consumer. There are most certainly multiple methods to remedy the needs created by these suddenly necessary changes if indeed they were necessary in the first place. To even remotely think that the average consumer will pay for this service is a stretch to say the least, particularly when even needed scheduled oil changes and tire maintenance often suffers. If there is truly a safety issue, maybe the breaking system should be sealed.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Not sure if you mean nitrogen or brake fluid. There’s nothing new or suddenly necessary about the brake fluid change recommendation. Now whether the average customer will pay for it is a personal choice. My 2006 Mercedes manual recommends it periodically, and I’ve done it a couple of times in the 17 years and 140K miles I’ve owned the vehicle. My next change will be to silicon fluid, and that will be my last. Many people also never change their coolant, transmission fluid or differential fluid (for rear wheel drive cars) either, but that doesn’t mean that’s smart. Ignoring those things is one thing that keeps repair shops and new car sales in business. My philosophy is I buy the best I can afford, maintain the hell out of it and keep it forever.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I would argue that the increased frequency of fluid changes is something that varies greatly between manufacturers and maintenance facilities and perhaps should be more closely scrutinized. Hopefully you realize that I was not implying that it was smart to not maintain a vehicle or that people do not have a right to exercise their personal choice.

Btw, I'm sure that you know that silicone based fluid is not recommended for use in all vehicles nor does it last indefinitely and converting to it is not regularly endorsed for fear of contamination with non silicone based fluids.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

If you fill your tires with air, which is 78% nitrogen, you are already using mixed gases.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

No argument that fluid change intervals varies widely between manufacturers - that includes engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant and brake fluid. I use the manufacturer’s recommendations for some things and not for others. Rather than suggesting too often fluid changes, my experience is that some manufacturers recommend too few (or no) fluid changes for marketing reasons. The MB I mentioned, recommends 13K oil changes as long as you run the recommended Mobil One synthetic and OEM fleece filters - I’m not buying that. They also recommend a single transmission fluid change at 38K miles and then NEVER again (I’m not buying that either). They are specific about coolant and anti corrosion additive changes because the block as well as the heads are aluminum, and I adhere to that.

Completely agree that a thorough flush with alcohol is standard procedure when moving to DOT 5 silicon fluid. I can’t speak to the lifespan except to say we ran it for many years in competition cars without replacement or issues.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Yeah, good stuff and makes some wonder why it hasn't replaced Dot 1, 2, and 3 for auto use. The fact that auto manufactures are not endorsing it (DOT 5) seems a bit peculiar and further, having a system that prevents opening the m/cylinder for fluid would further eliminate moisture. The silicone fluid can still collect moisture even though it doesn't mix with it, can boil or freeze, so the value is questionable with my limited knowledge even though it has a higher boiling point.

Meanwhile, I think scaring some folks into frequent fluid replacement warrants some clarification. :

usnret Loc: Woodhull Il

I fill my vehicles tires with helium. Makes them lighter. That more than doubles my MPG.

thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

Each gases partial pressure.
At sea level, where atmospheric pressure is 760 mmHg, the partial pressures of the various gases can be estimated to have partial pressures of approximately 593 mmHg for nitrogen, 160 mmHg for oxygen, and 7.6 mmHg for argon.

venkatesh_eng

Nitrogen, an inert gas, is nothing more than dry air with the Oxygen removed. The majority of "air" already consists of Nitrogen (78% by volume). The other elements of air by volume are 21% Oxygen and 1% other gases.
Most passenger cars have been designed and tested to deliver their expected performance when inflated with "air" and the correct tire inflation pressure is maintained on a regular basis.
The use of Nitrogen to inflate tires is not recommended for normal use; however, the use of Nitrogen is also not prohibited.
There are certain applications where Nitrogen inflation is advisable, i.e. in abnormal environment where wheel and tire overheating may occur such as in aircrafts, space shuttles, military vehicles, off-road trucks, and race cars. In these applications, the non-flammable Nitrogen can reduce the risk of fire, because Nitrogen does not support combustion and does not add fuel to the fire.
The physical properties of Nitrogen may reduce the inflation pressure loss only from the tire material natural permeability (diffusion through rubber). However, similar to air, Nitrogen can still escape from other sources of inflation pressure loss such as from wheel, wheel/tire interface, valve, and valve/wheel interface.
The most important thing for the customers is to maintain the correct tire inflation pressure on a regular basis as recommended in the Owner's Manual. Under inflated tires can reduce road holding, increase hydroplaning risk, increase road hazards sensitivity, reduce tire life, increase fuel consumption, etc.
If equipped on the vehicle, always reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor (FTM) or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) after the tire inflation pressure has been corrected.

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

TriX,
Regarding the silicon brake fluid, I have heard that it makes for a squishy brake pedal.
Apparently the silicon fluid compresses differently from the standard brake fluids.
I have been told that the only advantage, and the reason why some people use it, as far as I know, is that the silicon fluid doesn’t eat up/destroy the paint on the car.
I would think twice about the switch.
FTR: I am driving a 2008 ml350 w164, that looks, feels, smells and most importantly, drives like a new car. Not a squeak or rattle in the car, except for my camera kit, that takes up the whole hatch area. Tripods and light stands are very noisy!!
It is a wonderful, well made suv.
Enjoy yours, I enjoy mine!!

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Just read an article about dealer installed options that stated the nitrogen tire installation can be listed as a $400 option. I recently saw options listed on the Toyota website for the new Crown model that added $1200 for paint and windshield protection.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

If Methane were used to inflate tires, then "blow out" would take on a new meaning.

polonois Loc: Lancaster County,PA.

That's great, then you can check for a leaky valve stem with a match