Brake Fluid

When it is time to check all the fluids in your vehicle during your routine maintenance, the brake fluid should be on top of your list. It is a simple process to check your brake fluid and it should only take you a few minutes. You should also make sure that you fill any fluid when you discover that it is low. This will prevent any problems down the road and could signal a problem with your car's braking system if you are losing an inordinate amount of this fluid.

To check your brake fluid, simply find the master cylinder under your car's hood. This is a fairly easy part to find and it is on the driver's side of the engine. It is a rectangular shaped piece of metal that has a plastic container for the fluid and a rubber cap on the top of the container. There will also be tubes made from metal leading out of it. It will be on the back part of your engine.

If you have to see what your master cylinder looks like, you should be able to find drawings or schematics online to be sure that you have the right part. You don't want to add your brake fluid to the wrong part. There may also be some instruction on the cap of the master cylinder instructing you on the type of brake fluid to use. This is a good indication that you have found the right part.

Many times, you will find that you can see the fluid right through the container without removing the cap. There should be a line on the reservoir that will show where full is and you can match the level of fluid against that line to determine if it needs brake fluid. Make sure that your brake fluid is filled to the line on your master cylinder.

An older car might not have the clear reservoir for you to check and you will have to take the cap off to see if there is a sufficient amount of fluid in your car. Just take the top off with a screwdriver or other tool. It is usually held on with a clamp that will need to be popped.

Make sure that you are using the correct brake fluid for your car when you are adding it to the master cylinder. If there are not instructions on the cap of the reservoir, you should consult with your manual. There are also sites online that will give you the information that you need for the make, model and year of your vehicle. Fill up the master cylinder to the fill line and you are finished.

Brake problems might be caused by a lack of fluid in the master cylinder. If your brake pedal is going all the way to the floor and the master cylinder is empty, it will be necessary to bleed the brake fluid through the lines before you are able to drive the car. This will need the expertise of a mechanic.

Brakes in your vehicle are not something to be taken lightly. Keep an eye on the brake fluid in your car and report to your mechanic if you are replacing fluid more frequently. Your mechanic can detect if there are any problems with your brake system before you find yourself in an accident. Part of the regular maintenance of your vehicle should include checking all the fluids in your car. Check the oil, radiator fluid, steering fluid and brake fluid to be sure that your car has everything that it needs to function properly. Along with this regular maintenance, bring your car into the mechanic for a regular tune up and once over to be sure that all the systems are working properly.

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