Namdong, Incheon garage: DOT4 brake fluid flush at Smile Auto

Why I visited Smile Auto in Incheon when my brake fluid change was due

I made a reservation and visited Smile Auto (스마일자동차공업사) in Namdong-gu, Incheon, to get my brake fluid changed. I had come to Incheon for an errand today when it suddenly occurred to me that my car's brake fluid change was due. I'm usually good about keeping up with car maintenance, so I thought, let's not put it off and just do it now. By good luck I found out about this Incheon garage, Smile Auto, and booked a visit.

Even if a car runs perfectly fine day to day, unexpected situations can come up if you don't replace consumables on time. Anything related to the brakes is directly tied to safety, so it's something I pay extra attention to.

How often should you change brake fluid?

Brake fluid is generally recommended to be replaced roughly every 40,000 to 50,000 km. Because the writer does a lot of city driving, the fluid is always changed at around 40,000 km.

Because of my job, I drive more than 100 km around the city almost every day, so my car gets a lot of use. With all the stopping and starting in city traffic, I use the brakes a lot, so I always change the brake fluid at about 40,000 km. It might look a little early, but when it comes to safety, preventive maintenance gives me much more peace of mind. At Smile Auto, the garage I visited this time, they use DOT4-grade brake fluid.

How does the DOT4 brake fluid circulation change work at Smile Auto?

I was told the brake fluid change at Smile Auto is done as a circulation-style change using 1 liter of DOT4 brake fluid. The owner explained the process step by step, so it was easy to follow even for an ordinary driver who isn't familiar with maintenance terms.

I knew brake fluid needed replacing, but once terms like DOT3 and DOT4 start coming up, it always feels difficult. Car enthusiasts are probably familiar with them, but for an ordinary driver like me, leaving it to a professional is the easiest way, haha. The owner explained each step of the work, which made it much easier to understand. Apparently it's not just a matter of draining the old fluid and pouring in new; it's done as a circulation-style change using 1 liter of brake fluid.

Why the amount drained differs between front and rear wheels

At Smile Auto, they drained about 500ml from each rear wheel, where the brake fluid arrives last, and about 250ml from each front wheel. New fluid keeps being pumped in while the old fluid is pushed out, so even the old fluid left inside gets replaced, which is said to make the result cleaner.

The owner explained that new fluid is continuously injected while the existing fluid is drained, so even the old fluid remaining inside is replaced, making the job cleaner. He also said the amount drained differs from wheel to wheel. The rear wheels, which the brake fluid reaches last, were drained generously at about 500ml each, while the front wheels were drained at about 250ml each as the change went on. These are details you'd rarely know otherwise, and listening to the explanation while watching the work gave me a bit more understanding of car care.

What else I got at Smile Auto besides the brake fluid change

Smile Auto didn't stop at the brake fluid. They also checked the overall condition of the car and cleaned the engine bay until it looked spotless. Seeing the care they put into even small details, I could tell they look after cars thoroughly.

What impressed me most was that it wasn't just a brake fluid change and done. Whenever I had a question during the work, he answered kindly, so I could ask without any pressure, and I felt I could trust them while my car was in their hands. In car repair, skill matters, but so do how carefully the work is done and whether the customer gets a proper explanation, and I was very satisfied with Smile Auto on both counts.

Brake fluid is a consumable you rarely see, so it's easy to miss when it's due. Since it's tied directly to safety, I think checking and maintaining it regularly is what matters most.

Would I go back to Smile Auto for brake fluid changes in Incheon?

The writer felt they would like to return to Smile Auto in Namdong-gu, Incheon, when the next consumable replacement comes due. From the brake fluid change to the basic check-up and engine bay cleaning, the careful attention made it a very satisfying visit.

This visit reminded me again how important car care is, and thanks to the friendly service and meticulous work, I finished the maintenance feeling good. If you're looking for an Incheon garage you can trust, or your brake fluid change is coming up, Smile Auto could be a good choice to try.