Dealer denied first 2 year brake fluid change. . . . even with AudiCare ?

[csf]

Maybe someone can give me some advice . . .

I brought my 2017 SQ5 ( last year of the B8 SQ5 model ) in for its 2 year, 20000 mile service and to have a sunroof rattle fixed. So obviously the car is still under the factory warranty.
I also had bought the AudiCare plan.

I was reviewing the 2 year, 20000 mile service with the service advisor, which I thought included oil change, brake fluid change and a whole bunch of inspections and checks.

The service advisor told me Audi only covers brake fluid at the 30,000 and 50,000 services with Audicare. He will not do the brake fluid because Audi will not pay for it.

So I brought out my AudiCare brochure out which clearly states "brake fluid change every 2 years, regardless of mileage".
The advisor then told me it was an outdated brochure . . . even though I got it when I bought the car.

So I brought out the 2017 owners manual. The advisor told me the manuals were written very poorly and were confusing to the customers.

So I told him I remember the salesman telling me the AudiCare covered brake fluid every two years. Advisor then said the sales people know nothing about maintainence, and finance people are even worse.

I told him I had checked online and the forums said brake fluid every two years . . . the advisor said they don't listen to "internet trolls".

So . . . I gave up. Honestly, I think brake fluid lasts longer than two years so I'm not worried. But I feel like I got ripped off. Love the SQ5 but not the dealer. As a 60 year old guy who has bought over 40 new cars this whole conversation was hard to believe.

So . . . did I misunderstand the Audi brochure, owners manual and salesman, or should I actually be getting the brake fluid changed? Or is the first change really at 30,000 miles even though I cannot find that anywhere in my documentation ? Perhaps I owe the advisor an apology. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig

[Audi USA]

Hi Craig,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'd like to open up a review on your behalf and conduct some additional due diligence to determine what the proper service interval for the brake fluid. Based on the MY17 Audi Maintenance Schedule (updated on 1/11/2018) the brake fluid is changed every 2 years regardless of mileage for every vehicle in the 2017 lineup. I would like to review the repair order as well, would you mind providing me with your contact information, VIN and mileage via a private message?

I apologize for the poor experience and the continual going back and forth with the dealer on an issue like this, I understand that you are simply seeking to have the service performed as recommended by Audi which would be my desire in your situation as well. I look forward to hearing back from you so that we can get to the bottom of this.

Thank you,

[mjfloyd1]

I had the same issue with my dealer. Same scenario and finally I just asked if they wanted me to call Audi and have Audi call them. Like an idiot, he said yes. The service manager called me back within 15 minutes asking me to bring it back in for brake fluid change

Now I drive 2 hours to a different dealer...

[csf]

I had the same issue with my dealer. Same scenario and finally I just asked if they wanted me to call Audi and have Audi call them. Like an idiot, he said yes. The service manager called me back within 15 minutes asking me to bring it back in for brake fluid change

Now I drive 2 hours to a different dealer...

Thanks for the reply . . . . I think we are headed down the same path.

[cameraz]

I brought my 2017 B9 in for AudiCare service two weeks ago. I purchased my car in May 2016, so this was my third year of AudiCare service.

My car had only 20,000 miles on it, and along with changing my oil and filter, the dealership replaced my brake fluid. I don't know if they changed the brake fluid because of the 20,000 miles, or the three years. But from what I'm hearing here, they should've changed my brake fluid last year.

They probably didn't, however, because my car only had only about 13,000 miles on it then.

[MR_RS5_SB]

Brake fluid will absorb moisture so it really should be based on time rather than miles. 2 years is about when I usually see my brake fluid starting to turn dark brown.

[doughboy17]

I was told something similar by my SA a while ago when I asked. Since I am taking the car in for its last AudiCare visit next week, I will push the issue this time and return to this forum for resolution, if not satisfied.

[stoked_S4]

This is all bullshit for the lack of a better word for some dealers denying Audi care service per year intervals as it is spelled out in the audicare and owners manual. I had Audicare on mine and had all the recommended service including oil changes done per yearly intervals. I wish Audicare cover the cheap windshield wiper inserts that costs less than 10 bucks like BMW does but it is what it is.

I even had the DSG service done at yearly interval of 3 years if I recall correctly although I had about 25K miles and not 35K. Never had an issue with brake flush and it was all done without myself requesting it. There are many Audi dealerships by me near NYC so I guess free market competition works.


I am glad AUDI USA posted here. If anyone has an issue contact them directly.

[dzzzima]

Just purchased pre owned S4 from dealer, they denied it needed 55k service (car slightly over that interval). Stating they inspected the car and it's in a great shape. No previous record to show service was done. Is it common for Audi to deny maintanance schedule?

[Willyjp]

For what it's worth, I have a high mileage, off warranty Mercedes that I take to a very well qualified and experienced independent Mercedes-only mechanic. He's super conscientious and gets paid (by me!) for whatever he does. So he has no axe to grind in stretching out the service interval for anything. For awhile, he's always changed the brake fluid in my Mercedes on a 2-year interval. It was due about 6 months ago, when the car was in for routine service, and he didn't do it (the brake fluid change)!

When I asked him about it, he said, "Well now we have an accurate method of measuring the water content of brake fluid. If it's under (certain figure I'm not sure I remember, but I THINK 2%?), we don't need to change the brake fluid, no matter what its age is." So he said he measured mine and found it still well under the limit, so he didn't do the exchange. Say's he'll retest every time now until it shows it needs it.

So, if your Audi service advisor says they tested your brake fluid and it was OK, maybe he's right that it doesn't need changing. But if he just blew it off by misleading you on the recommended interval, I'd try another dealer!!


PS: after looking into it, the generally accepted limit for brake fluid water is probably <4%. Some mechanics will accept <5 and some will flush at 3. At levels like that or just a bit higher, the BIG danger, boiling of brake fluid water with very hot brakes, is minimal to non-existent. But the reason often cited is the risk of internal corrosion of brake system parts with more than minimal water in the brake fluid. I have not seen this officially stated, but several people I discussed this with suggested that VAG cars MAY be particularly susceptible to brake system corrosion from water in the brake fluid (and Mercedes as well), thus the persistence of the 2 year rec. by VW-Audi & Mercedes. You can buy a brake fluid water tester (pen like device w. 2 electrodes that dip into fluid) that reads in 1,2,3 & >4 % and is labeled "change" at the 3-4% level. They sell for around $30. So for a 1 time investment and an occasional quick check, you can know independent of your dealer's shop whether or not you need a brake fluid flush/change.

[Valpo A7]

In 35 years of driving I have never replaced brake fluid and never had a problem with not doing it. Brake fluid lasts a lot longer than people think.

[B171]

You are just lucky, flushing brake fluid is probably one of the most neglected maintenance requirement of all vehicles. Especially important on classic car with the old drum brakes. You can get away with neglecting lots of stuff on newer vehicles but you aren’t doing the vehicle any favors. If you lived back in the 50’s /60’s you would know this!

[bpd]

When all of your brake pistons freeze up in the caliper, then you wished you did change the fluid. Unless you have DOT 5 fluid. Otherwise, when moisture (water) gets in the system, boiling point is diminished and any iron components just rust.