Should I flush my car's brake fluid or is it a waste of money?

[TylerR]

I’m trying to decide if I should get my car’s brake fluid flushed. The pedal feels a bit spongy lately, and my mechanic mentioned it’s been over three years, but I’ve heard conflicting things about whether this is always necessary or just a money-maker for shops.

[Violet54]

I did it last year after the pedal started feeling soft on a long highway ride. They said it had been years since the fluid was replaced. It cost about 100 bucks. The pedal did feel firmer afterwards, but it wasn’t dramatic.

[Aubrey_M]

My shop always seems to suggest it as routine maintenance, which makes me wary. I pushed back once and just had the brakes bled to check for air; the pedal felt about the same after. I didn’t end up flushing and didn’t notice a difference.

[EdwardS]

I asked for a moisture check to see if it needed changing. The tech couldn’t quote a number or show me a reading. The fluid appeared clear to me, so I paused the flush and watched the brakes a few weeks. No dramatic change.

[Addison41]

Could the real issue be something else, like air in the line or a sticking caliper, rather than the fluid?