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M2 Technical Topics > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in | Oil & Fluids | Servicing | TSB | Recalls > Racing Brake Fluid in Winter

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      02-22-2020, 08:05 AM   #1
Anthony1s
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Racing Brake Fluid in Winter

I'm going to be doing autocross and at least two track days this season and am considering swapping the brake fluid for a hi-temp fluid. I drive my M2 year round, where we can see 0F temps or lower sometimes. Would I have to swap the brake fluid back out before winter?
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      02-22-2020, 08:20 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
I'm going to be doing autocross and at least two track days this season and am considering swapping the brake fluid for a hi-temp fluid. I drive my M2 year round, where we can see 0F temps or lower sometimes. Would I have to swap the brake fluid back out before winter?
No issues, I run SRF year round.

Generally I change it right before my first track event so it’s fresh, and that lasts me a track season and then I keep using the same fluid thru the winter.

If I’m doing a lot of events in a year, I’ll change it again mid-season. Other than that, some clubs want to see that you’ve changed it in the last 180-days as part of their tech inspection.
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      02-22-2020, 11:58 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
I'm going to be doing autocross and at least two track days this season and am considering swapping the brake fluid for a hi-temp fluid. I drive my M2 year round, where we can see 0F temps or lower sometimes. Would I have to swap the brake fluid back out before winter?
No issues, I run SRF year round.

Generally I change it right before my first track event so it's fresh, and that lasts me a track season and then I keep using the same fluid thru the winter.

If I'm doing a lot of events in a year, I'll change it again mid-season. Other than that, some clubs want to see that you've changed it in the last 180-days as part of their tech inspection.
Ditto - I use SRF too all year round - no issues
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      02-22-2020, 12:36 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bee Pee View Post
Ditto - I use SRF too all year round - no issues
Yeah, I even declined BMW’s free brake fluid change before this past winter.

I figured used SRF was better than new OEM fluid.
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      02-22-2020, 03:17 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
Yeah, I even declined BMW’s free brake fluid change before this past winter.

I figured used SRF was better than new OEM fluid.
And it is! SRF here year round as well.
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      02-23-2020, 01:46 PM   #6
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Here as well ..
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      02-23-2020, 01:55 PM   #7
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Im in Canada and I run motul 660 year round, no issues.
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      02-23-2020, 06:22 PM   #8
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ATE brake fluid here, all winter no issues so far. It’s been in the single digits several times.
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      02-26-2020, 02:04 AM   #9
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Is there any special procedure or software needed to swap the fluid or can my regular mechanic do it?

Also how much fluid do I need?
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      02-26-2020, 06:26 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
Is there any special procedure or software needed to swap the fluid or can my regular mechanic do it?

Also how much fluid do I need?
I used to do it at home, but I always needed more fluid than my mechanic to do the bleed.

Plus, you’re supposed to cycle the ABS unit. I wasn’t real clear on how to do that—probably easy tho?
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      02-26-2020, 08:43 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
I used to do it at home, but I always needed more fluid than my mechanic to do the bleed.

Plus, you’re supposed to cycle the ABS unit. I wasn’t real clear on how to do that—probably easy tho?
Not sure. TIS doesn't say anything about cycling the ABS.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ion/1VnXDR6doh

I'm gonna email my dealership. I wonder if the service computer has to be reset after the fluid change too.

Last edited by Anthony1s; 02-26-2020 at 08:50 AM..
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      02-26-2020, 09:49 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
Not sure. TIS doesn't say anything about cycling the ABS.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ion/1VnXDR6doh

I'm gonna email my dealership. I wonder if the service computer has to be reset after the fluid change too.
There is a special procedure

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ation/GfgD7vNY

However, it is rarely done

I've confirmed this with both independent and BMW technicians

In theory, if you want to replace all of the old fluid it should be done

Whether or not it is really necessary is a matter of debate

You will also want to consider changing and bleeding the clutch fluid as it shares the same reservoir as the brakes
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      02-27-2020, 09:56 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VTBoss302 View Post
There is a special procedure

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ation/GfgD7vNY

However, it is rarely done

I've confirmed this with both independent and BMW technicians

In theory, if you want to replace all of the old fluid it should be done

Whether or not it is really necessary is a matter of debate

You will also want to consider changing and bleeding the clutch fluid as it shares the same reservoir as the brakes
Am I missing something? That procedure looks exactly the same as the one I posted.
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      02-27-2020, 01:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
Am I missing something? That procedure looks exactly the same as the one I posted.
The page in the link you posted shows the basic procedure

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ion/1VnXDR6doh

That page does have a direct link to the more advanced procedure, but since you mentioned not noticing anything about cycling the system I wasn't sure if you had seen it

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ation/GfgD7vNY
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