[cna836]

I have a 2017 HR-V with 38000+ miles, originally leased in another town because I worked there and it was easy to get in for maintenance. And the service at the dealership there was always friendly and great. I had had several basic oil change/tire rotation maintenance there with no issues.

I opted to keep the car after the lease ended and because I am not working in that other town anymore, I decided to just go to my own town's honda dealership for the latest service. It was 1b again, oil change and tire rotation. The difference is, the cost was about $100 more than the other dealership, and it was because they took apart my brakes and cleaned and serviced them, as part of the tire rotation. In fact on the bill the tire rotation is basically "free." As far as I know the other dealership never did this brake service.

My question is...is this brake service necessary? Or did I get duped by the second dealership? And (in case I go back to this dealership) is this brake service something that needs to be done every time?
Thanks!

 

[John35g]

I have always read that brake fluid needs to be changed about every 3 years- it absorbs moisture which can lead to a few problems.
While doing this, checking and lubricating the pad contact points within the caliper is also something I would do, also a visual inspection of the rotors with the wheel off - look for grooves etc.

 

[Carbuff2]

That 'brake service' is a GOOD preventative maintenance thing. Usually it entails removing the caliper Slider Pins, cleaning and re-lubricating them. Also, the caliper metal under the stainless steel edge guides of the pads is coated with grease, to reduce the possibility of rust blooms binding the pads.

This service is especially recommended if you are in a northern climate, where the roads are commonly salted during the winter months.

Tell us where you are located and we'll advise if this is necessary every year. (I'd say, every 30 - 35K miles is reasonable)

 

[spacewrangler]

If you live in the "salt belt" this may be reasonable. Living in the south all my life, including time as an automechanic, I have never done, or even heard of this.

 

[cna836]

That 'brake service' is a GOOD preventative maintenance thing. Usually it entails removing the caliper Slider Pins, cleaning and re-lubricating them. Also, the caliper metal under the stainless steel edge guides of the pads is coated with grease, to reduce the possibility of rust blooms binding the pads.

This service is especially recommended if you are in a northern climate, where the roads are commonly salted during the winter months.

Tell us where you are located and we'll advise if this is necessary every year. (I'd say, every 30 - 35K miles is reasonable)

YES! I live in central Ohio, so yes, we do get road salt in the winter. Thank you so much for the info, I'm glad to know it was a good thing to have done.

 

[Einz]

I have an accord for 15 snowy winters. All I did was to change the brake fluid every 3-4 years.
it is a low milage car, less than 40K miles still with original brake pads.

 

[Sol]

Certainly should be done when the pads are replaced. More often than that I'm not so sure.

 

[Carbuff2]

I have an accord for 15 snowy winters. All I did was to change the brake fluid

We had an Acura TL for 12 years, and experienced no caliper issues, either. But higher-sprung vehicles (I'm talking about YOU, CR-V) seem to allow more corrosion into the calipers.

I know that periodic Brake Service can insure that the pads last a LOT longer.

And that dealer did not overcharge, granted they had the wheels off anyway, but an hour's labor (for all four wheels) is a reasonable charge for this service.

 

[Hawgryder]

Many vehicles go a lifetime on the original brake fluid. If it’s silicone based moisture won’t ever be a problem ever. Brake fluid has zero influence on pad wear or caliper corrosion as long as the seals are not worn out. Brake pad wear is based on driving conditions alone. Dealers like to oversell preventative maintenance. They keep asking me to get an alignment when my vehicle tracks just fine. I say no thanks.

 

[Hadleys Taxi]

I sold my last vehicle due to a persistent brake binding issue that took several dealerships and, eventually, an independent specialist just over 2 years and nearly £1,500 to resolve. If the $100 brake service prevents this, then it is well worth the money in my book.

Even though the issue appeared to have been sorted, I just lost total confidence in the vehicle and was glad to get rid.

 

[Carbuff2]

Look at this video (start at 5:05 if you want to cut to the relevant part). Even tho' this is a Toyota, it underscores the importance of servicing those calipers.