It is how they make money.
I'd change brake fluid every 4 or 3 years depending on climate and driving conditions.
It's easy to do and cheap too, cost me $10 per car with DOT 5.1 fluid doing it myself.

 

When I had my mothers '16 Sorento in last time for an oil change, they asked me if it had the recommended 30k mile service. One thing on there was brake fluid change. I looked closer and in small print it said "dealer recommended". Is this their way of making more $? I have never heard of having to change brake fluid at only 30K. The fluid still looks like new.

Make sure that the dealership understand that you're only interested in having the maintenance done as per your owners handbook.

As @dubber09 states, brake fluid change is time interval based, not mileage.

High humidity consider a shorter interval because brake fluid is hygroscopic.

 

Completely unnecessary at 30k miles and 3 years. I'd consider changing it in another two years though. Any mechanic can do it for you so there's no reason to pay dealer rates to have it done. I did the brake fluid flush on my 2013 when it hit 5 years. I think it took me a grand total of 30 minutes with a motive power bleeder and a quart of synthetic DOT4 fluid.

Cheers!

 

It’s seriously easy as anything. Need a open ended socket, maybe 3/16, 1/4 tubing to not make a mess, empty 20 bottle, some DOT 4, and a buddy.

1000 YouTube videos if you want a “visual” guide.

 

C'mon guys ... how the heck do you expect the Service Manager to make his next boat payment if you work it this way?

Honestly - 'dealer recommended' ... tell the dealer to do a proper test of the fluid and get back to you with the results. At LEAST insist that they use the cheap paper test strips before they recommend a brake fluid change. If they're too cheap to invest in the necessary gear to test the fluid, then they have no business recommending its replacement.

 

Here's a quick video on how to change your brake fluid with a cheap power bleeder.

And this is the bleeder with the adapter that fits Kia vehicles:

https://www.motiveproducts.com/collections/import-power-bleeder-kits/products/copy-of-black-label-ford-japanese-and-korean-import-3-tab-adapter

 

Here's a quick video on how to change your brake fluid with a cheap power bleeder.



And this is the bleeder with the adapter that fits Kia vehicles:

https://www.motiveproducts.com/collections/import-power-bleeder-kits/products/copy-of-black-label-ford-japanese-and-korean-import-3-tab-adapter

I have one just like that which I made myself, and its the best method for brake fluid change out.

 

I like this little guy >> https://www.harborfreight.com/mityvac-vacuum-pump-39522.html but available in many places.
It's one of those items that's so good, HF actually buys them in under the original brand. Only wish that the reservoir was a bit bigger.

 

I find the pressure type such as the one in the above video far more convenient than those vacuum type - the pressure type ensures that the brake reservoir stays topped up, and all you need to do is open each bleed screw in turn.

 

I'm surprised it looks new after 30k, but yeah.. I wouldn't touch it if it looks new. Personally, I flush the brake fluid every 30k, but I plan to keep the car for 250-300k miles. If I was only going to keep it for 100-150k, I'd probably flush the brake lines once at 60-75k.

 

You don't post your location, so I don't know if your "150K" is km or miles. However, if it's miles, you waited even longer than I would have (so much for 'frequent'), and it's when the tranny fluid is left far too long that the old adage about changing the fluid appears to have some merit, at least on an anecdotal basis. Apart from that particular condition, I know of no mechanic who specifically recommends leaving in part of the old fluid for any reason. Even 150K Km would be too long for some owners' use models.

And yet I return to the previous question: "Do you believe it is possible to perform those services TOO frequently, or is more better? When there are less subjective means for determining a good service interval, why not employ them?"

 

Sadly, I can't see any posts by kleenmaint on this thread.. seems like a juicy conversation tho

 

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, well the fluid does still look like new, it is virtually clear. I just didn't think it was needed. I know I can have it done much cheaper at a local non-dealer shop I use for a couple of my other cars.

My main concern now is why the brake pads are sometimes squeaking at only 40k miles. We do not "ride" the brakes and most of the driving on this car is on the highway. It was in for an oil change 1000 miles ago and they never mentioned the brake pads getting low. I know many people that have went way more miles on original brake pads.

 

Squeaking doesn't necessarily indicate a wear issue. They can squeak with plenty of pad left.
Moreover, most oil changes don't include a brake inspection. If yours did, it's unusual.
If you know a good independent shop that you can work with, have them take a quick look.