At startup, the service indicator has begun to tell me the brake fluid needs service. Is this service time based, miles based, that I can put off awhile or does it indicate a failure of some kind that needs attention ?

 

Its every 2 years I believe

Sent from my XT926 using NAMotoring

 

Yeah it's on a timer. You can safely reset it, wait until you need actual brake service.

 

But the service is free, why not do it?

 

If you let it go for too long, and do that regularly, you can wind up with rust on the inside of your brake system. That's kind of expensive to fix, as you can imagine.

In the short term, brake fluid with water in it will boil at a much lower temperature than fresh brake fluid. Which means it is easier to overcook your brakes so that the pedal goes straight to the floor. (Not a happy thing; I've experienced it in other cars before.)

If you're still in the free maintenance period, I figure it's a no-brainer to have the dealer do it for you for free. If you're not, I'd still get it done sooner rather than later...