2003-2007 Scion XA Brake Fluid Type and Flush Interval

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

The Scion xA takes DOT 3 brake fluid, listed in the owner's manual as "SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3." Scion's printed maintenance schedule for the xA never lists a brake fluid replacement, but glycol fluid absorbs moisture every year it sits in the system, so a flush every two years is the sensible baseline, and any xA with an unknown fluid history is due now.

What Brake Fluid the Scion xA Uses

The xA owner's manual gives the same fluid spec in three places: the brake specifications, the clutch specifications and the "Checking brake fluid" section. It is SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3. That is a glycol-based fluid, the most common type sold in any parts store, and the bottle will say "DOT 3" on the label.

If your xA has the manual transaxle, the hydraulic clutch is also specified for SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 fluid, so one bottle covers both systems. The xA was a single generation built on one platform, so the same spec applies across its production run; the manual we checked is the 2005 edition, and the fluid type is also marked on the reservoir cap if you want to confirm it on your own car.

DOT 3 vs DOT 4 in a Scion xA

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116 sets the minimum boiling points each grade must meet. Two numbers matter: the dry boiling point of fresh fluid, and the "wet" boiling point after the fluid has picked up moisture.

Look at how far DOT 3 falls between the two columns. Fluid that has absorbed water can boil far below its fresh rating, and boiled fluid turns to vapor that compresses under the pedal. That is why the age of the fluid matters more than the grade on the bottle.

For a daily-driven xA, plain DOT 3 is what the factory designed around, and it is all the car needs. A glycol DOT 4 fluid whose label says it is suitable for DOT 3 systems can be used if you want a higher boiling margin for mountain driving or spirited use. Do not put DOT 5 silicone fluid in an xA. It is a different chemistry from the glycol fluid the system was filled with at the factory and is not what the manual calls for.

Flush Interval: What Scion Says and What We Recommend

The Scion Scheduled Maintenance Guide that covers the 2005 and 2006 xA sets service visits every 5,000 miles or six months. Brake items on that schedule are:

• Visually inspect brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs at every 5,000-mile or six-month visit.
• Inspect brake lines and hoses at 15,000 miles or 18 months, and again at 30,000 miles or 36 months.
• At 30,000 miles or 36 months, inspect the linings, drums, pads and discs including a thickness measurement and a disc runout check.

There is no line item to replace the brake fluid. That is not the same as saying the fluid lasts forever. The owner's manual itself warns that once opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, and that excess moisture can cause a dangerous loss of braking. The fluid in the reservoir is exposed to that same air every time the cap comes off.

Castrol, which makes brake fluid, notes that most manufacturers recommend changing brake fluid at least every two years. We agree with that as the baseline for an xA. Every xA on the road today is well past the age where the original fill should have been replaced, so if you do not have a receipt for a flush, treat the car as due.

Signs the Fluid Needs Attention

• Dark or dirty fluid. Fresh DOT 3 is clear to light amber. Castrol lists dirty fluid and a burnt smell as reasons to change it.
• Spongy or low pedal. Compare against the factory numbers: with the engine running and a firm push, the pedal should stay at least 50 mm (2.0 in.) off the floor.
• Level below MIN. The manual says the level should sit between the MAX and MIN lines on the see-through reservoir. It drops slightly as the front pads wear, which is normal. If you have to keep topping it off, the manual calls that a sign of a serious mechanical problem, usually a leak at a caliper, wheel cylinder, line or the master cylinder.
• Brake warning light on with the parking brake released. On the xA the same light covers low fluid. The manual says to get the car checked if it stays on, and to stop immediately if it stays on together with the ABS light, because the ABS will not work and the car can become unstable under braking.

How to Top Off and Flush an xA

Topping off is a two-minute job. Clean the cap area, remove the cap by hand, and fill to the MAX line with a newly opened bottle of DOT 3. The manual is specific about using only newly opened fluid, and FMVSS 116 requires every bottle to warn you to keep the container tightly closed so it does not absorb moisture. A half-used bottle that has been on a shelf for a year is not fresh fluid.

A flush pushes new fluid through each wheel until clean fluid comes out of the bleeder. The xA has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, so you will be bleeding two front calipers and two rear wheel cylinders, and on manual-transaxle cars the clutch slave cylinder as well. Keep the reservoir from running dry during the job, or you will pull air into the master cylinder and have to bleed that too. Tighten the bleeder screws to the value in the factory service manual; they are small and strip easily. Brake fluid removes paint, so rinse any spill with water right away.

After the flush, confirm a firm pedal before the car moves, then check that the brake warning light goes out with the parking brake released.

What to Check While the Fluid Is Being Changed

A fluid service is the right time to look at the parts the fluid runs through. Front pads have a 1.0 mm wear limit per the manual, and the wear indicators squeal before that point; the manual warns that ignoring the squeal can lead to expensive rotor damage. If the pads are close, a set like the EBC Yellowstuff front brake pads for the Scion xA or an option from our brake pads collection can go in during the same visit. Rear shoes share the same 1.0 mm lining limit, and replacements are in our brake shoes collection, with springs and clips in brake hardware kits.

Old rubber hoses on a car this age can crack or swell. If a hose shows cracking, chafing or a bulge under pedal pressure, replace it from our brake hoses while the system is already open, since you are going to bleed it anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What brake fluid does a Scion xA take?

DOT 3. The owner's manual lists SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 for both the brakes and the manual-transaxle clutch.

How often should I flush the brake fluid in my xA?

Scion's maintenance schedule does not list a brake fluid replacement, but fluid absorbs moisture over time. Plan on every two years, and flush it now if you have no record of it being done.

Can I use DOT 4 in a Scion xA?

A glycol DOT 4 labeled as suitable for DOT 3 systems can be used and has higher minimum boiling points. Do not use DOT 5 silicone fluid.

Why does my xA brake fluid level keep dropping?

A slight drop as the front pads wear is normal. Repeated top-offs mean fluid is going somewhere; check the calipers, rear wheel cylinders, hoses, lines and master cylinder for leaks before driving further.

Does the clutch on a manual xA use brake fluid?

Yes. The clutch hydraulics use the same SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 fluid, so flush and bleed the clutch when you do the brakes.

Sources

1. Scion xA Owner's Manual (2005) - DOT 3 fluid spec, clutch fluid spec, pedal, pad and lining limits, reservoir and warning light guidance
2. Scion Scheduled Maintenance Guide, 2005-2006 xA, xB, tC - brake inspection intervals; no fluid replacement item listed
3. 49 CFR 571.116, FMVSS No. 116 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids - DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5 boiling point minimums and container warnings
4. Castrol - Why change brake fluid - two-year change recommendation and signs fluid needs changing