Honda Civic Reborn Brake Oil Replacement Query

[syeddanishanwar]

I have a question for people with technical car related knowledge and experienced car owners.

I have enquired about replacing break oil of Honda Reborn. Two different mechanics had told me that break oil is not replaced. They said that it is topped up only when low.

One had said that since the previous owner was using Guard brake oil, replacing with a new Honda oil will result in a leakage. What are your thoughts on this matter?

[muhammad.talha3001]

Both things are false

Break oil needs to be replaced as it collects water over time. The brakes need to be completely bled and all the brake oil needs to be replaced every 3 years, mileage does not matter. The reason for that is that brake oil collects water over time, even when the car is sitting. After 3 years, the brake oil is 3-4% water. This may not seem like much, but it significantly reduces the boiling point of the oil. Therefore, your brakes can overheat much more quickly. And when the brake oil nears its boiling point, you lose all break pressure and your brakes will stop working. That's the reason people who don't change their break oil need to "top it up". The brake oil has overheated and evaporated that's why they need to add more.

Using honda or guard brake oil makes no difference, as long as it is of the same type. Dot 3 brake fluid is recommended for most of our cars.

[syeddanishanwar]

Both things are false

Break oil needs to be replaced as it collects water over time. The brakes need to be completely bled and all the brake oil needs to be replaced every 3 years, mileage does not matter. The reason for that is that brake oil collects water over time, even when the car is sitting. After 3 years, the brake oil is 3-4% water. This may not seem like much, but it significantly reduces the boiling point of the oil. Therefore, your brakes can overheat much more quickly. And when the brake oil nears its boiling point, you lose all break pressure and your brakes will stop working. That's the reason people who don't change their break oil need to "top it up". The brake oil has overheated and evaporated that's why they need to add more.

Using honda or guard brake oil makes no difference, as long as it is of the same type. Dot 3 brake fluid is recommended for most of our cars.

Ok. Thank you for the detailed reply.

I think I will get it replaced from a 3S workshop. Most roadside mechanics in my area say that brake oil is only topped up. Maybe they don't know how to bled and replace the oil.

[muhammad.talha3001]

Yes it's better to get it done from 3s workshop, as replacing it is a more complicated method. You have to remove all the oil from the cylinder and then bleed all the brakes from all 4 wheels.

[Taimur92]

Both your queries are mentioned in the owner's manual and service manual both.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, it attracts moisture when exposed to air. Gradually, that moisture may become significant enough to alter the hydraulic properties of brake fluid, among many other effects. This is why Honda recommends a 3-year brake fluid replacement interval for the civic 2006-2012. Also, this topic has already been discussed at great lengths on the forums. Use the search button and you will find a lot of posts by experts on this topics.

Here's a link to an online repair manual for the 8th gen, refer to the maintenance schedule here for your car's proper upkeep. Also, as a rule of thumb, always refer to the correct repair and diagnostics procedure as mentioned in the manual before getting anything replaced or repaired. It's your car, not the roadside mechanic. He has nothing to lose.

http://civic.hondafitjazz.com/manual2.html

[syeddanishanwar]

repair manual for the 8th gen, refer to the maintenance schedule here for your car's proper upkeep. Also, as a rule of thumb, always refer to the correct repair a

Your detailed comments particularly the link to manual is highly appreciated. The manual will come in handy.

[ifadey]

I know this is an old thread, but it's an important topic to discuss.
I have seen this written in almost all Honda service manuals

We recommend genuine Honda Brake Fluid. Using a non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and decrease the life of the system.

This confuses me whether Honda brake fluid have something special in it?

@Xulfiqar @Hassan1991

[Hassan1991]

Never came into my knowledge.
It just cheap oils are not good for the system.

[Xulfiqar]

Before Honda became "use Honda genuine air in tires, non-Honda air will cause handling issues" they used to write down the specification required, and Hondas always used to write DOT4 fluid.

[ifadey]

Yes first they write use DOT 3 or 4 and then mention other brands will cause corrosion

[Xulfiqar]

Did they also write

Always use genuine Honda petrol?

[ifadey]

lols

[Mun33b]

As long as its genuine fluid, it doesnt matter, obviously spec needs to be same. My reasoning of putting Honda/Toyota branded brake fluid in respective vehicles is authenticity of the product (fetched via trusted sellers). There are fake Seiken and Wagner available widely.

[Xulfiqar]

You are 100% right. Almost all fluids and oils are specified to a proven standard.

DOT type 3 and type 4 are global standards of glycol based hydraulic medium, its recipe has not been changed since decades as its a safety critical liquid. DOT stands of US Department of Transportation. The types are for different boiling points except DOT5 which was developed for military vehicles.

Japanese have another equivalency which is on their own JASO rating but completely similar to US DOT.

On lighter note, when I face customer who wants genuine bosch bremflussigkeit for their german car or some japanese fanboi wanting jdm (no idea wth that is) brake fluid instead of the regular american DOT4 which I buy in gallons.

They get upcharged for being dense!

[ifadey]

It's very easy to get authentic products these days from Daraz flagship stores where the company or the distributor is selling itself.

Personally I also prefer OEM parts and fluids specially for transmission. But the brake fluid part doesn't make any sense to me. Why would other brake fluids cause corrosion if they meet the spec?

Brake fluid is something that doesn't vary a lot from brand to brand. Maybe I am wrong, but this is my understanding. I think it's safe to use brake fluids from local manufacturers as well like guard which is dirt cheap.

DOT 4 fluid from Guard flagship store
https://www.daraz.pk/products/4-350cc-i126654139-s1285094800.html

[Mun33b]

Well thats all alien lingo to ustads. The criteria here is how quick it heals wounds (they literally pour it over open wound).
Also, are cluless about why brake fluid should always be poured fresh from sealed container and not from some leftover of last years job.

[Mun33b]

Havent used Guard brake fluid so cant comment on its quality. However, their airfilters have been good. As for corrosion, any brake fluid will cause it after moisture absorption, including their own, as it is hygroscopic. So thats a real general marketing comment from Honda. I havent found any Toyota/Honda/Suzuki/Seiken/Wagner authorised parts seller on Daraz yet, please share if you have seen any.

[Xulfiqar]

Polypropylene glycol poisoning of the blood!! (Liver gone to hell)

Yep, i remember that!

I also remember some weirdo testing grease by eating it and seeing its reaction on the next days feces,

I trolled him and made him eat some castrol red rubber grease, he was out of work for a few days because its also ppg based which is also administered as laxative.

Ive also seen some real collosal dumbasses, one of them had a glass jar full of old brake fluid his ustaads extracted from old ford prefects, cortinas and other ancient cars claiming that it is some holy elixir of “english brake haail” (50 yr old expired fluid)

And would add a drop or two in cars brake fluid cup to “remedy” them of persistant problems (while charging an arm and leg)

Sad thing was that “cushtoomerr” would happily pay.

[Mun33b]

Lol. These days they might digest that grease as its sometimes mashed potato mixed in oil.
For brake fluid bleeding, their criteria is "haan hail agaya", while ABS and crevices still have air trapped.