[2002]

I was worried the translation from Japanese to English may have lost some meaning

The Honda TechInfo instructions are in English. It's relatively inexpensive to subscribe and find the documents. Unfortunately it's not as clear/defined as the Toyota equivalent as I'm used to...

EDIT- I downloaded the document back in 2018. Maybe they've updated it for clarity by now.....

The information that you have provided has been very helpful, and I think I understand now, but I just want to make sure. In your first post you provided a link to a thread on another forum. When I went to that link I saw that the first post contained instructions for brake bleed, although it didn't say where the instructions came from. I didn't notice at first that you were the one who wrote the post containing the instructions. From your later reply on this forum I came to understand that the instructions in the other thread are a translation that you did from Japanese to English of some document that you have, which I assume is a Honda document.

The second post on that thread was also by you, describing your experience following those instructions.

As you pointed out in your latest post, the instructions on the Honda Service Express website are in English.

I plan to, but have not yet gone onto the Honda Independent Repair Website. Which is located at techinfo.honda.com. Which they have listed in the Google search heading as Honda Service Express even though that name doesn't appear on the website. I'm bringing that up for other people's benefit as I hear all three names used in forum discussions, which used to confuse me until I realized that it's all the same thing. Honda terminology can be mighty confusing at times which is why I sometimes belabor these points about terminology to make sure that I am understanding correctly.

I plan to pay the $25 one day fee on the service express website and download as many documents as I think might be useful. In the meantime your information has been helpful in giving me an idea whether the brake bleed on the Clarity is something that I would want to tackle myself, since I had seen other posts elsewhere saying that it is complicated. But based on your write up it seems like it's doable as long as the required steps and sequences are followed. Which I will be getting from the Honda Service Express website when I am ready to do it.

 

[jzchen]

In my post with the link to the thread in that other forum, I also posted at the bottom a link to the techinfo.honda.com site. That is where I got the instruction from back in '18. I remember it being $15/day, if I recall correctly, or maximum $20. I don't remember it being $25.

The instructions are in English. It does not make it clear beyond "ON mode". So take it however you may I do not want to infringe on Honda's intellectual property rights so I reworded the instructions as best I could...

There are a few other experiences over there that I share. I have figured out some pattern to the tire rotation, around 7000 mi, oil change around 11000 mi, the seemingly overpressure at 36 PSI. (I guess we'll be around 60k mi when we may need to replace the original tires)....

 

[johnnyaich]

After 40,000 miles on my '18 PHEV, I got a A17 Maintenance Minder alert.

A17 is for oil change, tire rotation, and brake fluid replacement.

Took her into my trusted mechanic and they did the oil change and tire rotation but skipped on the brake fluid.
When I asked why they skipped the brake fluid replacement, they said the fluid was tested and found no water and no contaminants.
They said the fluid is more than new enough that it will go another year or two.
Brake pads were at 90% (like new) and there was no adjustment needed.

They reset the MM and off I went.

Perhaps the brake fluid needed no replacement due to the lack of brakes I use ?
Primarily use the paddles to shift down a lot.

USE THE BRAKES, A LOT CHEAPER TO REPLACE THAN A CLUTCH, ETC, !

 

[EV Nerd]

USE THE BRAKES, A LOT CHEAPER TO REPLACE THAN A CLUTCH, ETC, !

You may want to stick with the ICE fora. Your knowledge of their systems doesn't translate well to PHEVs and BEVs.

It's preferable to use regenerative braking whenever possible on BEVs and PHEVs, and on the Clarity PHEV, regen can be increased or decreased using the steering wheel paddles. No clutch is involved.

 

[Duxa]

The brake fluid minder is time based (not miles), it goes off after 3 years, this is due to brake fluid being hydroscopic (absorbs water), once water content is high enough due to friction during braking it may boil causing damage to the hoses/parts as well as affect braking.

This being said, brake reservoir is pretty well sealed and modern systems are well made, whether you need to replace the brake fluid depends on your driving/environment. Dry climates are most likely fine after 3, even 6 years (California). Humid environments may need it replaced sooner (Florida).

Regardless of what you 'think', either take it to a shop to be tested, or get a kit like this one (ends up costing you about $1.50 per test).

For me, in California after 3 years the test came back at ~30 (replacement is done at 200 or higher)

 

[EV Nerd]

The brake fluid minder is time based (not miles), it goes off after 3 years, this is due to brake fluid being hydroscopic (absorbs water), once water content is high enough due to friction during braking it may boil causing damage to the hoses/parts as well as affect braking.

This being said, brake reservoir is pretty well sealed and modern systems are well made, whether you need to replace the brake fluid depends on your driving/environment. Dry climates are most likely fine after 3, even 6 years (California). Humid environments may need it replaced sooner (Florida).

Regardless of what you 'think', either take it to a shop to be tested, or get a kit like this one (ends up costing you about $1.50 per test).

For me, in California after 3 years the test came back at ~30 (replacement is done at 200 or higher)

View attachment 1397

I think you mean "hygroscopic" (with a "g").

It's a very common mistake.

Hygroscopic vs Hydroscopic: 7 Important Comparison

The terms hygroscopic and hydroscopic may sound similar but their meanings completely differ from one another.

lambdageeks.com

 

[tommyboy]

I replaced my old brake bleeder kit with a new pneumatic system (2 liter container). I did my truck this week. Took about one hour and works great. Single person job. About $50 on Amazon. My Clarity has 54,000 miles. No maintenance minder notice yet, but the fluid is getting discolored.

 

[jzchen]

I am roughly 3 months away from the 2nd brake fluid change on our ‘18. The official Tech Info instructions make no mention of this as an option, only two rounds of two person manual pump and bleed. My son has agreed to help me again this time…

 

[vekayo]

After 40,000 miles on my '18 PHEV, I got a A17 Maintenance Minder alert.

A17 is for oil change, tire rotation, and brake fluid replacement.

Took her into my trusted mechanic and they did the oil change and tire rotation but skipped on the brake fluid.
When I asked why they skipped the brake fluid replacement, they said the fluid was tested and found no water and no contaminants.
They said the fluid is more than new enough that it will go another year or two.
Brake pads were at 90% (like new) and there was no adjustment needed.

They reset the MM and off I went.

Perhaps the brake fluid needed no replacement due to the lack of brakes I use honda civic a17 service cost?
Primarily use the paddles to shift down a lot.

Hi. I have a 21 pilot black edition. Im at 40 k miles. I have a A17 maintenance alert.

do i really need to replace the brake fluid??? If so, does anyone have a video or instructions on it?? Im guessing i will just empty the reserevor then bleed all 4 calipers...(seems kinda early to do this)... just looking for input

 

[4sallypat]

Hi. I have a 21 pilot black edition. Im at 40 k miles. I have a A17 maintenance alert.

do i really need to replace the brake fluid??? If so, does anyone have a video or instructions on it?? Im guessing i will just empty the reserevor then bleed all 4 calipers...(seems kinda early to do this)... just looking for input

For an ICE vehicle, I'd recommend it.

Remember, PHEV and EV do not use the brakes as much as ICE vehicles, hence the lower costs of ownership for PHEV and EV owners.

 

[obermd]

For an ICE vehicle, I'd recommend it.

Remember, PHEV and EV do not use the brakes as much as ICE vehicles, hence the lower costs of ownership for PHEV and EV owners.

I would still replace the brake fluid if testing shows significant (water) moisture in the fluid.

 

[rogerdodger]

I would still replace the brake fluid if testing shows significant (water) moisture in the fluid.

$24.

Amazon.com

 

[obermd]

$24.

Amazon.com

Thanks. Most of these are a pain to read. I added this one to my Amazon cart to order after my current CC closes this weekend.

 

[rogerdodger]

Thanks. Most of these are a pain to read. I added this one to my Amazon cart to order after my current CC closes this weekend.

this one is easy peasy, dip into the fluid, choose DOT3-4 or DOT5 and it displays the result. Our 2016 Civic at 60K tested fine but is getting changed soon, our Clarity at 3 years has very low moisture. we live on the Oregon Coast, almost 80" of rain per year, so I'm concluding Honda has well sealed brake systems but wants you to change the fluid often just in case...

 

[EV Nerd]

this one is easy peasy, dip into the fluid, choose DOT3-4 or DOT5 and it displays the result. Our 2016 Civic at 60K tested fine but is getting changed soon, our Clarity at 3 years has very low moisture. we live on the Oregon Coast, almost 80" of rain per year, so I'm concluding Honda has well sealed brake systems but wants you to change the fluid often just in case...

...their bottom line is too small.