What is the recommended procedure for a vehicle diagnosed with contaminated brake fluid?

The recommended procedure for a vehicle diagnosed with contaminated brake fluid is to repair and flush with fresh brake fluid. This approach is crucial because contaminated brake fluid can lead to reduced braking performance and can potentially damage braking system components over time.

Flushing the brake system involves completely removing the contaminated fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid, ensuring that any contaminants are eradicated. This is essential because even small amounts of contaminants can disrupt the fluid's properties and compromise the effectiveness of the hydraulic braking system.

Additionally, simply topping off with fresh brake fluid would not be effective, as it would not purge the contaminated fluid from the system and could dilute the performance of the new fluid. Manually bleeding the system may also not address the issue completely without a thorough flush, which is necessary to ensure optimal brake function and safety. Therefore, flushing is the most comprehensive solution to ensure the integrity of the braking system is restored.