How critical is this? I just replaced my CVT fluid at 25k and 2.75 years.

 

Well, Honda likes to push replacement every 36mos (independent of mileage) because brake fluid is hygroscopic (ie; it absorbs water), and because of this, the braking power can be diminished.

I've owned a few Hondas (waiting for the '06 HCH to become available), and some have had the brake fluid replaced (those I've owned from new), and some haven't (used ones that I had when I was younger & poorer). I've never had a brake problem that wasn't related to pad / rotor wear in any of them.

To be honest, I think they're trying to limit liability, more than alert you to a 'imminent & impending failure of a critical safety system' Still, I do it in my newer cars now.
Did you do it yourself, or take it to the stealership ?

 

Well, I got a guy who changed my CVT and oil for $28 at a local shop. I gave him the fluids. I'll bet he'll charge me $15 or less to change the brake fluid. I had an 91 Accord before my HCH with 200k on it when I sold it and I'd be willing to bet that car never had the brake fluid changed. The brakes never gave me a problem. Thanks for the info, just for the hell of it, and since it's so cheap to do I think I'll go ahead and change it soon. Perhaps at my next oil change.

 

Fully bleeding the brakes is a 2-man job if done by hand and still at least a 15-20 minute 1-man job if done with a brake booster pump to pressurize the brake master cylinder resovoir. If he's willing to do it for $15 you are getting a killer deal! Usually labor alone goes for $90/hour and most places would consider that at least 1/3 of an hour job.

 

I do NOT mess with a working brake system, especially on a Honda. When you start messing with the hydraulics there is a chance that you might get a piece of trash, air, etc in the line and have problems with it. Why do this to a good working system. Having said that, I never kept a vehicle over ten years and never put over 60,000 miles on one. My son has my former 89 S-10 pickup and we never changed the brake fluid and it still works fine with over 100k. Leave it alone until you have trouble!
If it was getting old, I would check the brake hoses occasionally. They probably need replacement before the fluid.

 

When i used to work at a Service station, we charged half an hour labor ( based upon the mitchell manual for average labor times) and about 15 bux for fluid. Usually we sold this job with any brake job. or master cylinder replacement, etc.

just my 2 cp


PS i have already changed my honda HCH brake fluid twice i usually do it once a year when i change the coolant.

 

Is there any reason you are changing your brake fluid once a year as compared to the one time every three years that the manual suggests?