Subdriver

Okay, call me ignorant, but what's the worst that can happen if you don't flush the brake fluid as recommended? I'm at 4yrs+ and over 55k and never flushed mine. Can it affect your rotors? Or just the braking power? I know that water gets into the system eventually...how does that affect it?

LCP

...so you may end up "losing your brake pedal" if you work the brakes hard (generating much heat) since the water boils off turning into easily compressible air instead of uncompressible liquid. If this actually happens to you sometime in a braking situation, pump up the pedal rapidly until pressure is restored.

S42002

1) Has more compressibility due to the water that is in the lines, it will make the pedal mushy
2) Lower temperature before pedal "goes to the floor" under extreme braking, meaning that the pedal will get really mushy sooner
3) Excess corrosion buildup on all metallic components: pistons, master cylinder, abs control module. The clutch slave cylinder shouldn't be affected corrosion wise since it is made of plastic
4) Lubrication properties will also diminish and excessive wear on all moving components: pistons, master cylinder, clutch slave cylinder, and abs control module
Might have forgotten something....

O.W. Kenobi

LCP is right about the boiling aspect of water in the fluid. It's not a good idea to mess around with brake maintenance. Just flush and be done with it. You'll likely notice better braking performance anyway.

iS4aclu

<ul><li><a href="http://www.hrpworld.com/client_images/ecommerce/client_39/products/pdf_2848_2.pdf">Brake fluid explained</a></li></ul>