‘You know what I hate?’: Honda tells woman she needs brake fluid change, but she’s not buying it

A woman named Brooke posted a video on TikTok that has started a huge online debate. She was upset after her Honda dealership told her she needed to change her brake fluid. In the video, she whispered her frustration from the dealership lobby, questioning whether the advice was real or just a way to make more money.

According to Motor1, Brooke went to the dealership for regular service when an employee said her car needed a brake fluid flush because it was overdue. She wasn’t happy about it. She said, “You know what I hate? Slimy car dealership people who try to convince me to get things done to my car that I do not need.”

The employee explained that brake fluid should be changed every two years or every 30,000 miles. Brooke pointed out on her TikTok video that she had owned the car for four years but only drove it 21,000 miles. She thought she didn’t need the change yet. But the dealership worker said the fluid should have been changed already just based on how old it was. Brooke then asked people online for help.

The dealership was actually giving correct advice

Many people have had similar experiences. You go in for a simple oil change, and suddenly the shop gives you a long list of expensive services they say you need. But in this case, the dealership was actually right.

Car owners should change their brake fluid every two to three years or around every 45,000 miles. This isn’t just a suggestion. It’s important maintenance that can prevent bigger problems and save you money later. The two-year timeline is standard across the industry, though you should always check your car’s owner’s manual.

You might wonder why time matters more than how much you drive. The answer comes down to science. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air over time, no matter how much you drive. Honda owners have faced unexpected repair bills at dealerships before, which makes people naturally suspicious of any recommended service. 

As it absorbs water, the fluid’s boiling point gets lower. If your brake fluid boils when you brake hard, you can lose braking power, which is very dangerous. Waiting four years to change brake fluid is risky.

Trust issues with Honda dealerships have grown recently, especially after another customer’s trade-in nightmare went viral online. Another person suggested that while two years is best, pushing it to three years isn’t terrible. 

If you need multiple fluid changes at once and you’re on a budget, you might prioritize transmission or differential fluids first, but you shouldn’t ignore brake fluid forever. The best way to avoid being scammed is to check your owner’s manual, which gives you the official guidelines for your specific car.