Brake fluid

[RizzoTheRat]

I've changed brake fluid on the bikes loads of times, but never done it on a car before. How much am I likely to need to bleed the brakes right through on the girlfiends Fiesta?

[grumpy52]

2 litres tops

[thinfourth2]

If you buy 1 bottle you will need 2 bottles

If you buy 2 bottles you will need 3 bottles

If you buy 3 bottles you will need 1 bottle

[saaby93]

thinfourth2 said:

If you buy 1 bottle you will need 2 bottles
If you buy 2 bottles you will need 3 bottles
If you buy 3 bottles you will need 1 bottle

Yes it is like that
Last time I bought some from the ever popular Halfords they had 5 litres on special offer ( 5 for just over the price of 2)
How long does it keep once opened.......?

[Eggman]

I'd have thought it should keep pretty well in a sealed container - granted it is hygoscopic, but once it has absorbed all the water from the little bit of air in the bottle I can't see what else is going to happen to it.

Having said this, I'm not sure I'd trust brake fluid that had been stored like that for very many years, but a few months would be fine. In fact, I intend to use some from exactly such a container tomorrow.

[RizzoTheRat]

I've always worked on the theory it doesn't keep long enough to have open bottles lying about, I'd rather spend a few quid on a fresh bottle than risk having some that's absorbed a bit of water once I'd opened it. Then again I can replace front and back brakes on the bike with half a liter. In reality it's probably fine for ages as the only moisture that's going to get in is a tiny bit in the air when you open it.