Some of you might wonder What is brake fluid? or What is brake fluid for? In hydraulic brake systems, brake fluid transmits the force of your foot on the pedal to the brakes. Brake fluid is one of the most important fluids in a car: It’s the connection between the mechanical action of your brake pedal and the brake linings that creates friction to slow your vehicle speed. It’s essential for road safety that you use the right brake fluid and maintain it at the recommended level at all times
How do you check the level of your brake fluid?
- Step 1: Park your car on level ground and put the parking brake on.
- Step 2: Open the hood and secure it safely.
- Step 3: Locate the reservoir. It’s easy to find: look for a small, semi-transparent reservoir behind the steering wheel. It’s attached to the brake master cylinder, which is a small metal block near by the brake pedal in the engine compartment.
- Step 4: Checking brake fluid is fairly simple. You check the brake fluid level by making sure it is between the MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir. It should be a light golden brown color if it’s still usable. If the brake fluid level is under the MIN mark, see a qualified mechanic. Note that worn brake linings or a leak from the hydraulic system could be the reason for low brake fluid.