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How To Check Brake Fluid

Mechanic checking brake fluid
 

Brakes are probably the most important safety feature in your vehicle. They have many parts to them to make sure the brakes are able to stop your car, truck, or SUV properly on Nickerson and Buhler roads. As such, you’ll need to know how to check brake fluid as part of your regular vehicle maintenance.

 

 

But if you’re not sure what color is brake fluid or you need help checking brake fluid correctly, the service team at Allen Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is here to help! We’ll tell you everything you need to know about brake fluid, what it does, how to check brake fluid properly, brake fluid color, and know when to bring your vehicle into our service department. Read on to learn more!

What Is Brake Fluid?

Your car’s brakes rely on hydraulics to work correctly, which means it requires fluid to move the parts effectively. When you hit the brake pedal on Newton roads, pressurized brake fluid moves through brake lines to engage pistons that bring your car to a stop. The pressurized fluid goes through various pistons and cylinders to increase or decrease pressure. The pressure then clamps down on brake calipers that scrape against brake pads. The brake pads contact the discs of your wheels, and that friction is what slows down the wheels and brings your vehicle to a stop.

Additionally, brake fluid lubricates your braking system and prevents corrosion. Look for common formulas, like glycol-ether-based, silicone-based (DOT-5), and mineral oil-based (LHM) brake fluids when you need to replenish your brake fluid. Which brake fluid works for your vehicle? Check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations. Our Hutchinson service staff can also point you in the right direction.

Why Must Technicians Periodically Change Brake Fluid?

Like most automotive fluids (think motor oil, coolant, and transmission fluid), changing brake fluid regularly puts your vehicle in top shape for Buhler roads. Looking over the brake fluid in the reservoir also helps prevent issues before they become worse problems.

Why is checking brake fluid so important?

  • Brake fluid attracts moisture over time, which can corrode your braking system.
  • Brake fluid becomes contaminated with small particles with age, and those particles can damage your brakes.
  • Systems like ABS and traction control generate heat, which can cause your brake fluid to break down more quickly.

How to Check Brake Fluid Properly

  1. Find your car’s brake fluid reservoir. This reservoir is located near the master cylinder under the hood. If you can’t find it, check your owner’s manual for a diagram. Or call our service department at 620-314-4274, and we’ll help you! Checking brake fluid is relatively easy.
  2. Look for the “minimum” and “maximum” lines on the master cylinder’s reservoir. Check the brake fluid against these measurement lines. If your brake fluid is between the lines, you’re good to go. If it’s close or under the minimum line, add more brake fluid.
  3. Examine the color of the brake fluid. If you notice a dark brown or black color, much like used motor oil, schedule a brake fluid flush with our team ASAP. This dark color is why checking brake fluid periodically is the right idea.

What Color Is Brake Fluid?

You know that dark brown or black brake fluid is not ideal. What color is brake fluid normally? Brake fluid color, when it’s new, should be almost clear with a faint yellow tint. It becomes darker over time as it picks up debris and contaminants. That’s why a darker color can indicate a need for a brake fluid flush and change. Checking brake fluid regularly makes this problem easy to detect, which is why you need to know how to check brake fluid. It helps you spot any changes before they become major issues.

Brake Fluid Service Intervals

Our service team recommends checking brake fluid with every oil change, or at least once a year (whichever comes first). On average, brake fluid can last four to five years before changing brake fluid. However, the interval between changes depends on several things, like your driving habits, your vehicle, driving conditions, age of your brakes, how fast you decelerate, and numerous other factors. Our technicians can help you determine exactly when to replace your brake fluid during a routine maintenance visit. Every time you bring your car, truck, or SUV to our certified service center, we’ll check the brake fluid for you and recommend anything you need.

Schedule Your Next Brake Service with Allen Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Need to bring your vehicle in for a brake check? Contact us or call 620-314-4274 with any questions about brake maintenance, checking brake fluid, or any concerns about your brake system. We’re happy to help in any way we can!

Do you want more information on brakes? Read our guide on how many miles brakes can last as well as why your brakes are grinding.

 

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Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, New Car Dealers, Hutchinson, KS