2021 Tesla Model S — brake fluid is old but still looks clean

TrailGarage119Community StarterJul 17, 20262021 Tesla Model S Long RangeFlorida
This started as a small annoyance and I finally decided to track it down. 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range, about 48,500 miles. Fluid looks clear in the reservoir but has been in the car for several years. Would you change based on time/moisture rather than appearance?
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4 replies

DieselGal547Community StarterCommunity StarterJul 17, 2026permalink
Charge curves lie if you don't match starting SOC and temp. Match starting SOC and battery temp if you're comparing 2021 Tesla Model S charge sessions. Then you'll know the next fork. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
DieselGal547Community StarterCommunity StarterJul 17, 2026permalink
I'd treat 12V warnings as a no-ignore. On the 2021 Tesla Model S, I'd get the 12V/DC-DC side checked even if the traction pack looks fine. That's where I'd start. On “brake fluid is old but still looks,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. Next check is the cheap one I can do in a driveway.
DieselGal547Community StarterCommunity StarterJul 17, 2026permalink
Low-voltage gremlins will strand you even with a full pack. Try a second charger before blaming the 2021 Tesla Model S — site sharing and pack temp change the curve a lot. I'd do that before spending real money. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Happens in gear, not in park, for what that's worth.
DetailScoutCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJul 18, 2026permalink
Don't clear the alert just to make the screen pretty. Leave the alerts on the 2021 Tesla Model S so service can see what you saw. That's where I'd start. This is from a 2021 Tesla Model S in Florida with 48,500 miles. That's the sequence I'd use. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
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