2007 Prius - To Flush or Not to Flush Brake Fluid

I'm thinking of flushing my brake fluid. I have the techstream mini vci tool. I've read some people say it's a bad idea unless necessary due to actuator failure. How do you tell if it's necessary?

For reference I have attached photos I just took.

I don't know if this vehicle ever had a brake flush done but I've had it since the beginning of 2015. It had 163,000 miles then and has about 201,000 miles now.

Any advice? I already bought four 12 FL Oz bottles from Toyota late last year but never got around to doing this until now. I imagine I didn't buy enough fluid to do the entire job and I also don't think I can return them either. Hmmmm.......

I remember some people quoting toyota recommends replacing every 3 years.... is that old and bad recommendations from Toyota? hmmmm

 

Thanks. Mainly to reduce chances of messing up the actuator?

 

Got it.. even if its the original fluid? just checking. I can't find any brake flush in the paperwork the previous owner left me..... I spent $43 on four bottles of Dot3 from Toyota.. kind of annoying... wonder if I could save it for later sealed....

 

Thanks.... I thought the same but others have reported on here its better to leave it be..... i just past three years since I bought the car with an unknown service history so i was thinking of doing it myself since i bought the toyota brand dot 3 fluid and have the techstream mini vci tool... it seems its a debated topic. hmmm.

 

Thanks, I put the wheels back on. It stops fine... the longer I keep this car the more embarrassment I have to endure.. maybe not worth the hassle to change the fluid or put it back on stands and use test strips... ;-) I'm hoping to get a toyota tacoma next car...

 

Haha, young women actually don't even seem to mind... its some of the guys at work... unfortunately they've seen my other ride which is an old school traditional custom 50's hotrod and I also have a 1966 c-10 truck so when I'm in the Prius I lose all the respect I had ;-)

 

True! I guess I can put it back on jackstands and mess around with it another weekend. Out of curiosity are the test strips ones from a particular company? Pheonix? I think I read about that in another forum or link to a website..... Not sure any of the regular test strips are fine. I'm aware Toyota uses Dot 3 but maybe their brand has more lubricant and the prius brake system is sealed better making the 3 year rule not as necessary for the prius?

 

Yes. I think older than 1977 ... or somewhere in the 70s you're exempt.... my 53' has glasspack exhaust and rumbles like an old school hotrod so if that exemption didn't apply i'd be in big trouble. My 66' C-10 has mufflers but they are old.