Brake fluid is very important in the vehicle. A vehicle that has no brake fluid is capable of causing accident that would claim lives, money and property. So, keeping your brake fluid topped up is incredibly vital. Without it, your braking system will cease to function, putting you and your passengers’ lives in jeopardy, and potentially damaging your vehicle.

We will like to explain what a brake fluid is and how it functions in a car. Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that helps with the movement of the brake pedal. Another important thing it does is that it lubricates the brake system. It also helps to prevent corrosion. For most vehicles, the brake fluid is glycol-ether based. In some other types of vehicles, the brake fluid could be silicone-based (DOT-5) or mineral oil-based (LHM). Before you add brake fluid, be sure to take a look at your owner’s manual to see what is necessary for your particular make and model.

Your car’s brake system is one of several automotive hydraulic systems. When you push down on the brake pedal, fluid is delivered through the brake lines from the master cylinder to the brake drums or discs, slowing the car through friction. To make the system work properly, you need to have enough brake fluid in the system, and it needs to be in good condition to do its job properly in the vehicle.

Therefore, brakes are one of the most critical components of your vehicle, and it’s not hard to see why! Because of this, proper brake maintenance is absolutely essential. One of the most important maintenance tasks is checking your brake fluid. You may be wondering how to check brake fluid. It’s pretty simple checking your brake fluid level and topping it up is a simple task!

Locating the Brake Fluid Reservoir

For you to check your brake fluid level, first pack the car on a flat surface. You then let your car cool down if it’s been running which will make it hot. Then access the engine underneath your hood. How you open the hood varies with different cars and trucks, too (again, your owner’s manual can help with this). There’s usually a lever or button inside the cabin located at side of driver’s side directly opposite his knee while sitting down on the driver’s seat which is most accessible to the driver, often along the left side. Once you find and activate it, you will hear the sound hood “pop” open.

As a safety measure, popping the hood is only the first step. Step around to the front of the vehicle and feel under the center of the hood. You’ll find a lever that you need to move or pull until you can lift the hood up the rest of the way. Be sure to secure the hood so it doesn’t fall back down. Newer vehicles sometimes have a built-in system, but others will require you to lift a brace to hold up the hood.

It’s easy to check the condition of your brake fluid on modern cars. There is a clear plastic reservoir in the engine compartment back on the firewall. It has marks for minimum and maximum levels. As long as the fluid is in between these two marks, there is enough. If you indeed have to add brake fluid, make sure you use the type specified in your owner’s manual. There are three specifications for brake fluid: DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5. Make sure you only use the type your car calls for, as the different types should not be mixed. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it can attract and hold water, which in turn can cause corrosion to the brake system components.
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