I take my 2003 Golf GL in to a local VW dealer for 60K service, assuming they do brake flush because my previous VW dealer did brake flush at 20K intervals.

He tells me they do it at 40K and 80K as VW recommends. I said the book says do it at 2 year intervals, no matter what, and since it's been 1 year, 9 month since last flush shouldn't we do it now?

He tells me not necessarily.He tells me his tech says my brake fluid is nice and orange, clean. Not necessary. Check again in 10K, approximately 10 months down the line.

I live in San Diego, pretty dry climate. Which dealer is right, the one who did it at 20K intervals(approx 2 year interval) or this guy who says the clean fluid doesn't need changing?

 

Brake fluid is a hygroscopic- it absorbs moisture. It is also hydraulic fluid of sorts. Change the brake fluid according to time, not mileage. Brake fluid is cheap, moisture in your fluid can cause lines and other components to rust- much more expensive... Hrmnnn... who would benifit from you having to replace your master cylinder and booster?

Replace your coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and differential lube every two years and you'll save BIG $$$ in the long run.

 

If the shop is looking at the fluid in the mastercyl reservoir it may
look clean, where the gunk is located will be at the calipers and
wheel cyls. When it get dirty at the reservoir then it almost too late.