In THIS TOPIC about brake fluid - wrote about the critical moisture level in the brake (3%).
Let me remind you - the presence of water - leads to a decrease in the boiling point.
This means - with a certain amount of heating (during braking) - the liquid can boil = air bubbles appear = the brakes "disappear" because air is easily compressed.
To prevent this, it is recommended that the fluid be changed every approximately 2 years. This is an average term.
The state of the carcass - you can check the inexpensive tester. (photo at the end of the topic). Determines% moisture.
How not to check here - what is recommended there in the manual ... :))
We check with the help of the same tester, who successfully arrived with Ali.
Outwardly - like a thick marker. At the end - a button. Inside is one AAA battery. At the end are two metal pins.
To check - press and see one green light = batteries OK
I will check the FRESH brake from the bottle (DOT 5.1 - prepared for replacement). Poured into the lid. Almost transparent. 1 green = OK
Well and - we lower in a tank. 1 green + 1 yellow = 
The content of the article
- How to check brake fluid level
- How to choose brake fluid
- How to bleed the brake master cylinder
Lack of brake fluid can lead to an emergency on the road, which directly threatens the life and health of the driver, passengers and pedestrians. Maintaining the vehicle's brake system in good condition requires a systematic check of the tank level.
Most car manufacturers recommend vehicle owners to check the brake fluid level before each exit. This simple procedure will ensure the safety of the trip.
Verification Procedure
To check the brake fluid level, it is necessary to open the hood cover and find the tank located on the left side of the engine compartment. The tank is made of a transparent polymeric material, which allows you to track the liquid level without using a special dipstick or removing the cover. On the outer surface of the tank there are two marks showing the minimum and maximum liquid levels.
If the fluid level is between the two above marks, its volume fully complies with the requirements for ensuring the safe operation of the brake system. If the level is below the minimum mark, the brake fluid must be added.
Also, to inform the driver about a decrease in brake fluid level, a special warning light is located on the instrument panel. The signal from the LED lamp shows a significant decrease in oil level, requiring immediate refilling.
What to do if the fluid level drops below the minimum mark
Before topping up the brake fluid, carefully cover the adjacent engine parts with a rag to prevent the substance from getting on the elements of the car's electrical wiring. Otherwise, liquid may cause a short circuit. Topping up liquid is carried out through the filler neck equipped with a threaded cap. Top up should be the brand of fluid that is indicated by the vehicle manufacturer in the operating documentation.
The nature of the decrease in the level of brake fluid may indicate the presence of various malfunctions of the vehicle systems. If a systematic check reveals a gradual decrease in the volume of fluid in the tank, this indicates wear on the brake pads, which must be replaced. A sharp decrease in the level of brake fluid indicates a leak in the reservoir of the brake system.
In addition to the level, a fluid quality check is also performed, which is performed using a special tester. The chemical composition of the brake fluid is characterized by the ability to absorb moisture from the air, due to which its operational properties are reduced.
How often do I need to check the brake fluid in the car?
Knowing how to check the brake fluid helps us maintain the brake system in our car in good condition, so that the brakes in the car will be working and will not fail when an emergency occurs on the road. This fluid in the car is responsible for transmitting pressure from the brake pedal to the brake assemblies in the wheels. In other words, the brake fluid makes sure that all the components of the brake system work together properly and as a unit. In order to carry out this work all year round at any ambient temperature, the brake fluid must withstand extreme temperatures without boiling and freezing. Unfortunately, over time, brake fluid loses its properties and becomes contaminated. Therefore, in any car, it must be periodically replaced with a new one.
If you do not change the brake fluid in time, then many brake components of the car may fail. As a result, this can directly affect your safety.
Accordingly, each driver should (must) regularly check the brake fluid level and its condition. Our guide will help you check the brake fluid level in the car. You will also learn whether it is necessary or possible to add new fluid, when it is necessary to completely replace the brake fluid and you will be able to learn to determine the potential leakage of fluid in the brake system of your car.
Table of contents
What you need to know about brake fluid
Brake master cylinder
Checking the brake fluid level
Beware of fluid leakage
7 reasons why you should check the condition of the brake fluid
How to check brake fluid properties
What you need to know about brake fluid
The brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture), which protects the components of the brake system * The brake fluid is light yellow. * It does not compress in volume during compression, which is ideal for use in automotive brake systems * Lubricates the pistons in the brake master cylinder, in the caliper pistons and in the wheel brake cylinders * Brake fluid lubricates the rubber seals in the brake master cylinder and in the brake cylinders mounted on wheels * Brake fluid has good resistance to temperature changes * Brake fluid Dot 3 has a boiling point of 205 degrees * Liquid boiling point Dot 4 230 degrees * After two or three years of using the brake fluid, the moisture content in it rises, which ultimately leads to the onset of corrosion of the brake elements and to the loss of fluid properties * When using brake fluid, it is recommended to use only that fluid that the automaker has indicated in the vehicle's instruction manual.
Brake master cylinder
The master brake cylinder acts as a pump, which pressurizes the brake fluid into each wheel where the braking devices of the machine are located. That is, every time you use the brake pedal, the brake master cylinder pumps the fluid, directing it throughout the brake line of the car.
The brake master cylinder also has a reservoir for brake fluid. Thus, in order to check the level of brake fluid, you must find this reservoir under the hood of your car.
As a rule, the brake master cylinder is mounted on a vacuum brake booster. The brake booster (a large round component under the hood of the car) is usually mounted on the driver's side in the rear of the engine compartment. The main brake cylinder is a small metal cylinder with thin metal tubes emanating from the cylinder, over which a metal or plastic container (tank) is installed. Brake fluid is poured into this container.
