Quote:
Originally Posted by WickedMessenger
Brake fluid with high water content is very corrosive. That's why, if you notice, one of the maintenance items in your smart's schedule is to change the brake fluid.
|
Yes, brake fluid is hydroscopic.
Yes the brake fluid is corrosive.
Water will attack metal parts.
BUT
it is not the main reason for changing the fluid.
As the brake fluid absorbs water it lowers the boiling point.
The absorbed water begins to collect (usually at the bottom of the pipe), the collected water has a boiling point of 100 degrees which is in easy reach of a brake caliper.
Boiled water creates air, air in the brake system causes spongyness or total lack of braking as the air compresses instead of moving the caliper piston.