Do You Need To Check Your Brake Fluid?

For optimal safety when driving, you need your car serviced regularly. As part of maintenance, a qualified technician will change the oil, check the hoses and belts, rotate the tires, and change the brake fluid if needed.

Enjoy a Smooth and Safe Ride

Some things included in regular maintenance improve how smoothly your vehicle operates, while others protect the engine. For instance, rotating the tires could make driving less bumpy. Changing the oil ensures proper lubrication of the engine’s moving parts and components. However, maintenance also enhances your safety.

The brakes are one of your vehicle’s most critical systems. Whether driving on dry, wet, or snowy surfaces, you depend on them to slow your car down or bring it to a stop. This is where brake fluid comes into play.

What Does Brake Fluid Do?

As a hydraulic fluid, it serves two critical roles. First, brake fluid keeps the various parts of your car’s braking system moving. So, they’ll perform as designed. Second, this fluid lubricates the moving components of the braking system. As a result, it protects them from different kinds of corrosion, including rust.

How Often Do You Need the Brake Fluid Changed?

At some point, the brake fluid in your car will become less effective. That means you’re at risk should the system fail to work. Typically, you’ll need this done every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.

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The Steps for Changing Brake Fluid

Unless you’re a certified technician, it’s best to leave this task to an expert. However, for the sake of knowledge, these are the steps involved in changing the brake fluid:

  • They first find the brake master cylinder reservoir. In most vehicles, it’s either mounted on or near the firewall located at the back of the engine compartment.
  • Next, they check the level of fluid in the reservoir. Due to a clear or translucent reservoir on newer vehicles, this is quite easy. On the other hand, reservoirs on older automobiles are usually made of metal. For that reason, technicians must first pry open the top so they can inspect the interior.
  • If there’s not adequate brake fluid in the reservoir, the technician will add the appropriate amount. With that done, they replace the top, and you’re ready to go.

Beyond having the expertise to change the brake fluid in your car, there are some additional reasons to turn to an expert. For instance, this liquid’s highly toxic. So, if any of the fluid splashes on your skin or in your eyes, you could sustain a serious injury.

In addition, this allows the technician to look for any leaks or other problems. Especially if the level of brake fluid keeps going down, you need to know why. The last thing you want is to apply the brakes that, in return, respond very little or not at all. For this and other service needs, you can trust Brannon Honda in Birmingham, Alabama.

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