#12,164 in Automotive

Reddit mentions of Phoenix Systems (3003-B) Brake Fluid Test Strips, 2 Strips Per Package, Reveals Brake Fluid Condition

Sentiment score: 0
Reddit mentions: 2

We found 2 Reddit mentions of Phoenix Systems (3003-B) Brake Fluid Test Strips, 2 Strips Per Package, Reveals Brake Fluid Condition. Here are the top ones.

Phoenix Systems (3003-B) Brake Fluid Test Strips, 2 Strips Per Package, Reveals Brake Fluid Condition
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    Features:
  • May save you from paying for an un-needed brake fluid exchange.
  • Gives you the peace of mind that your brake fluid is good and is safely performing its proper function.
  • Identifies potential brake flulid related problems before they occur -thereby ensuring your safety.
  • Simply remove the test strip from the foil wrapper, dip it into your brake fluid and 60 seconds later you will know the condition of your brake fluid. (scientific proof)
  • Great for DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 brake fluid (most vehicles use DOT 3 or 4)
Specs:
Height0.4 Inches
Length9.7 Inches
Release dateJuly 2013
Width5.7 Inches

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Found 2 comments on Phoenix Systems (3003-B) Brake Fluid Test Strips, 2 Strips Per Package, Reveals Brake Fluid Condition:

u/jrouvier ยท 4 pointsr/teslamotors

> I wouldn't think the brakes need a flush since they're mildly used

Brake fluid absorbs water. The brake system isn't perfectly sealed, so most air does get in there over time and contaminate the brake fluid. This lowers the boiling point, which is un-good. The corrosion inhibitors in brake fluid also don't last forever and will also lose effectiveness.

While not exposing your brake fluid to high temperatures does increase it's life, it still does start to go bad the moment it's not in a sealed container and exposed to metal. If don't proactively change the brake fluid, you should probably get some brake fluid test strips (measures amount of dissolved copper) and a brake fluid moisture meter.

> Also what's an A/C desiccant bag?

A/C operates by compressing a gas until it turns into a liquid, which also heats it up, cooling the hot liquid down, then piping it into the car and releasing the pressure, causing it to boil and cool down (think those air-in-a-can dusters). Water is corrosive, can freeze and is incompressible, unlike the refrigerant gas. The desiccant absorbs any water in the system, preventing issues. An AC system should always be under pressure, preventing water from getting in, in which case your desiccant would last forever. But, if there is a leak, and the low-side pressure switch doesn't turn off the compressor in time, the low side could go below ambient pressure and draw some air in.

> Could you replace that yourself?

In many (most?) cars, no. You have to completely evacuate the AC system and draw a hard vacuum to recover all the refrigerant, then open the system to get the desiccant bag. Finally you have to draw a vacuum again to get all the air you introduced out, then add the right amount of oil and refrigerant. Some cars might have valves that allow you to isolate the desiccant bag container from the rest of the system so you don't have to evacuate the whole system, but you would still need the same tools to the job (vacuum pump, container to store the old refrigerant, new refrigerant, etc), just a smaller scale.
While tesla says it's "replacing the desiccant bag", that typically really means doing a complete AC service, kind of like how "changing you oil" means both changing both the oil and oil filter.

AC is important to cool to the battery, something people often forget, yet there is no other scheduled AC maintenance or anything like "check AC pressures". If I were to guess, I'd say Tesla really just wants to get into to AC system and make sure you don't have any leaks, without calling it something scary like "battery overheat protection system service".

u/RickMN ยท 3 pointsr/MechanicAdvice

Changing brake fluid is a good idea IF it needs it. See below for how to test.

Changing transmission fluid according to the schedule is also a good idea.

Changing off-brand wiper blades is so ridiculous that I laughed out loud when I read it. As long as they wipe streak free, who cares what brand they are?

Coolant change according to Honda schedule is also a good idea.

Any shop can replace bulbs--find one with a lower labor rate.

Buy a package of brake fluid test strips and test it. If it needs replacing, THEN have it done at a less expensive shop

http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Systems-3003-B-BrakeStrip-Testing/dp/B00E6TXWA6/ref=sr_1_2/188-0948660-2421813?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1452124497&sr=1-2&keywords=fluid+test+strips