Tesla vehicles are marvels of modern engineering, in particular the regenerative braking system. Not only does it recover some of the energy during braking, but it is also easy on the brake pads and the braking system in general. But there is one aspect of the braking system that will need regular maintenance – brake fluid.
Brake fluid needs to be replaced with some regularity. Tesla recommends brake fluid testing and replacement every four years. We disagree – brakes are vital to your safety, and Tesla, like all EVs, is a heavy vehicle (the high voltage battery is very heavy). So brakes need to be in optimal shape.
The reason for brake fluid replacement is twofold. First and foremost, brake fluid is hygroscopic – it attracts and absorbs moisture from the environment. When the water content of the brake fluid exceeds safe levels, brake fluid must be replaced, or you are risking sub-standard braking, or in extreme cases, an outright brake failure.
The second reason for brake fluid replacement is that its chemical composition breaks down over time, and the high temperatures that the brake fluid is subject to accelerate this process.
That’s why at Oceanworks in Berkeley we recommend brake fluid testing every year. You can combine it with the yearly Tesla brake inspection to save time. If the test comes back showing excess water content, we recommend immediate brake fluid replacement. If the water content is at a safe level, and visual inspection indicates that the fluid is in decent shape, we will see your Tesla at the next year’s brake inspection.
So if it’s been a while since your Tesla had brake fluid testing, give us a call or make an appointment online. We are looking forward to working on your Tesla, and to keeping it in top shape for many years.