If so how often should it be done and what is the procedure to do it???Thanks for your help in advance....

 

if you use high performance brake fluid(motul, etc) or drive spiritly most of the time, then you should do it at least every one to one and a half year.

all other cases should do it at least every 2 years to be on the safe side.

 

I did mine recently after two years. My fluid of choice is Valvoline Powersyn brake fluid. This stuff is real premium and functions mutch better than the DOT3 Toyota fluid.

Generally, you have to bleed the fluid, and then replace. Some people just take the fluid container, empty it, and then fill it up. Not the best idea as far as cleanliness, but it has worked.

 

Thanks for the replies....

 

The Toyota engineers specifically instruct Toyota / Lexus owners
to "Use only DOT 3 Brake Fluid from a sealed container"
in all Toyota / Lexus models
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/brakefluid.jpg

Further, the Toyota engineers developed their own
DOT 3 brake fluid for use as the factory fill. Owners who wish
to maintain their cars with this same high quality fluid can
purchase it from Toyota dealers
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/brakefluid1.jpg

Reliability and durability are always top priorities
at Toyota and disregarding the advice of the Toyota engineers by
using aftermarket brake fluids, DOT 4 brake fluids, semi-synthetic brake fluids
or synthetic fluids runs the risk of compromizing the reliability and
durability of the expensive hydraulic brake system componets
like the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, calipers,
proportioning valves, hoses, seals, etc. The damage might not
show up for years, but when it does, it'll bite the walet pretty hard.

 

There are several people I know here in Mexico who have use DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 products for years in their brakes. I know two with old Toyota trucks from the early 80s. Not one problem. If anything, using the DOT 3 was the cause of original troubles. In fact, it is only the car manufacturers who insist on their own product as a means of profit. Unless Toyota is going to give it away for free and make a quality brake fluid, I will keep using synthetic.

You may want to check bobistheoilguy.com for more information, as that is where I got the original opinion to use Valvoline Powersyn.

 

Toyota brake fluid DOT3 is made by Mobil.

 

If true, then the Toyota Brake Fluid is still chemically unique and different than any Mobil Brake Fluid
because Toyota claims "Genuine Toyota Brake Fluid is a super heavy duty high temperature
brake fluid speially designed by Toyota engineers to give superior performance in
all Toyota Brake Systems where DOT 3 brake fluid is recommended."

In other words, Toyota contracts with Mobil and other companies to build Toyota parts, filters,
fluids and lubes to Toyotas's special specifications.

The Toyota engineers know about DOT 4 brake fluids and synthetic brake fluids, but they STRONGLY
recommend only the use of conventional DOT 3 fluid.

 

Toyota Brake Fluid was not super heavy duty enough for my 99 RX AWD. I switched from that to Bendix DOT 4, but was not getting stopping power, and the fluid was getting contaminated. Using the Powersyn, I get a smooth, quick stopping power. Kind of feels like when you go down a slide and then come to a slow precise stop.

On a recent trip back to the U.S., one of the Lexus dealers I stopped into have fluids change did not even look surprised when I asked them to change my fluid with the Powersyn (I supplied it) over the Toyota. The service guy even asked me if he could have the rest to try in his own car as he had also heard some good things about the fluid.

I say this, where you live in the U.S., you likely have no problem using DOT 3. Realize, that the rest of the world is a much more difficult terrain and you need the best quality stuff.

 

Lexmex, for 30 years Toyota has specified DOT 3 ONLY brake fluid in all their vehicles in all countries including Land Cruisers. In all that time DOT 3 has done the job. In all climates, in all types of terrain and at all altitudes.

If DOT 3 is not doing the job in your '99 RX then maybe your driving style is wild and abusive to the brakes (from your prior posts, it sounds like you drive at pedal-to-the-metal, bat-out-of-hell speeds in Mexico).

I don't know why you feel Mexico is so special. Nearly every year for the past 11 years I have driven extensively in the mountains of central Mexico. These mountains are no major problem for even lowly, underpowered Volkswagen Bugs and Volkswagen Vans with their little air cooled 4 cylinder engines. The altitude (6,000 - 11,000 feet) is nothing special either - about the same as in Colorado.

 

Saber,

In the last 30 years, Toyota has NEVER been in Mexico. You will see pickup trucks brought legally/illegally from the states and that was it. Since 2002, they now have service, and they are finding out what works in the U.S. does not work here. Where it is the oil or the fluids. Why do you think auto mechnaics are so plentiful here?

Where I drive, I have got hills that are steeper than those in San Fran, turns that will make you nearly fly off the road no matter what speed.

I don't know where you have been driving or even if you did drive in Mexico, but Bugs and Vans cannot climb certain grades here.

I am not the only one complaining, I know from my local Toyota dealer there have been complaints, which I previously documented, about high oil consumption. Toyota now offers to use a higher weight oil, including the new Mobil 1 5W-50, to those who suffer from the issue, rather than the old 5W-30. One of fellow employees just bought a RAV4, and complained about the brakes having an akward stop.

The fluid just does not do the job.

 

Here's the procedure to do it:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=118734

It's written by "Fern", and is very detailed and complete. Personally, I'd change the brake fluid every 2 years, as the brake fluid is very hygroscopic (attracts water) and over time it will lose it's braking feel and water tends to make internal metal components rust.

 

Another thing, you can use DOT 3 brake fluid or the DOT3-compatible synthetic types. However, from what I've been reading the synthetic brake fluid isn' t always the best for normal application as it's not quite as dense as regular DOT3 and will sometimes have a "squishier" brake feel. However, the synthetic brake fluid isn't a hygroscopic fluid like DOT3 fluid is, so it's theoretically a liftetime fill, unless you already have water in your brake lines and it pools somewhere in there, rusting your components away. One advantage over regular DOT3 that synthetics have is that it won't eat your paint, if you spill it--but it's a relatively minor one if you are careful pouring it in the reservoir.

You can read articles online for all of the ads and disads of silicone brake fluid, and it seems to me more disads--just because something is more expensive doesn't mean it's better for your car. So personally, I'm sticking w/ the regular DOT3 and will use it for 2 years before flushing out the fluid from the brake lines. It works for me, so I'm not as inclined to change it. If you're like LexMex in very high altitudes, then switching to something else that works better is definitely a good thing.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lexmex
[B]Saber,

In the last 30 years, Toyota has NEVER been in Mexico.

True, but Nissan has been in Mexico for at least 20 years and to this very day, the owners manuals of
Nissan's sold in Mexico recommend DOT 3 brake fluid and 10W-30 dinosaur motor oil.

I do agree with you that some back roads in mountains of Mexico are extremely steep and hard on the brakes and transmission of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. Going up such grades risks transmission slipping due to fluid overheating and going down such grades risks smoking the disk brakes.

 

Anyone ever use this product to bleed their brakes, looks like it'll make the job alot easier when your bleeding brakes by yourself.

http://www.motiveproducts.com/02bleeders.html