Break fluid change

corklad32 · 13-03-2011 4:57pm #1

Hi guys

Bringing my car to a local mechanic for servicing this week. I also need to get the break fluid changed. Its a 08 golf tsi - i was asking whether he needed to have a vw specific break fluid and he said no. Does that sound right? I know the vw manual is quite specific

Atlantic Dawn · 13-03-2011 5:24pm

Doesn't need to be VW specific but needs to be a certain spec like DOT 3, DOT 4 or DOT 5 etc.

corklad32 · 13-03-2011 5:31pm

Ah right ok - hmm maybe ill just leave the break fluid change off and get him to do the oil and the other filters and plugs. I'd be afraid of him putting in the wrong type and screwing up the whole system

Skuxx · 13-03-2011 5:35pm

corklad32 wrote: »

Ah right ok - hmm maybe ill just leave the break fluid change off and get him to do the oil and the other filters and plugs. I'd be afraid of him putting in the wrong type and screwing up the whole system

How come you don't trust him to do it properly? If he's a mech I'm sure he has done it before!

Gumbo · 13-03-2011 5:35pm

corklad32 wrote: »

Ah right ok - hmm maybe ill just leave the break fluid change off and get him to do the oil and the other filters and plugs. I'd be afraid of him putting in the wrong type and screwing up the whole system

not if you tell him beforehand?

lomb · 13-03-2011 7:58pm

Best buy it from the dealer if thats what you want. I personally have done with vw coolant and the mechanic didnt take any offence. I would rather use vws one as the abs module may not take well to aftermarket stuff.

13-03-2011 8:14pm

If the cap on the brake fluid reservoir doesn't make a reference to Dot4 as a minimum requirement I'd be amazed. Brake fluid is brake fluid, VW don't make it. The ABS "module" won't give a rats arse what make the brake fluid is

Your mechanic is 100% correct that nothing out of the ordinary is required.

coylemj · 13-03-2011 8:42pm

Have you checked the Owner's Manual? Probably not or you wouldn't have asked the question :mad:

The manual for my 07 GT TSi has nothing on brake fluid specific to the GT so I checked the main manual which applies to all Golfs. It says to use brake fluid that conforms to VW Standard 501 14. If you can't find fluid that specifically says it meets this standard then use stuff that conforms to US Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 or DIN ISO 4925.

If you are getting an indie to do the job then you should have no problem if he uses DOT4. However VW parts aren't that expensive, I use their screen cleaner concentrate which costs less than 6 euros and makes up 25 litres so by all means go along to your local VW service centre and buy the official brake fluid, they'll tell you how much you need for a 07 Golf.

corklad32 · 13-03-2011 8:45pm

alan1990 wrote: »

How come you don't trust him to do it properly? If he's a mech I'm sure he has done it before!

Well i did go to him before - i had a 05 golf and there was a good bit of noise coming from the engine area when the car was in neutral. I went to him with it and he told me to press in the clutch and the noise disappeared. He told me it was a "normal" sound. A few months later i needed a new gearbox. That "normal" sound wasn't so normal! It was the gearbox diff on its way out. Maybe i should just go elsewhere

500sel · 13-03-2011 11:05pm

Well in that case your post Title should read "Should I trust my mechanic or get a new one?" imo

Break fluid change

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