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Your Porsche should have its brake fluid and transmission oil changed every other year. Brake fluid changes? Your Porsche's braking system is among the most effective in the automotive world, but the glycol based brake fluid (Dot 3, 4, and 5.1) that operates the moving parts of the brake calipers also lubricates and protects the system against corrosion.
Over time, poly glycol ether based fluids become less effective because they are hydroscopic, which means they're designed to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. The water content in the
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brake fluid increases, and lowers the boiling point of the fluid. When it boils, it becomes significantly less effective in operating the brakes. Porsche uses glycol-based fluid because it's less compressible than the silicon Dot 5 counterpart. Glycol fluid typically gives a more solid pedal feel. Also, silicon fluid isn't hydroscopic, so when water enters the brake system, it separates, and can boil on its own. This creates steam, air, and an even spongier brake pedal. Regardless of miles traveled, the braking system can absorb small amounts of water over time. Regular flushing on a 2-year cycle helps keep the internals of
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the system in clean and effective working condition.
Another commonly neglected fluid lives inside the transmission. Nearly everyone thinks of engine oil changes, but transmission oil is occasionally overlooked in regular maintenance schedules. While the recommended mileage for changes varies from car to car, most Porsches call for changed transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. Just like engine oil, the transmission oil becomes dirty with small metal particles and eventually suffers from viscosity breakdown.
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