United Tire and Service News

In short, brake fluid moves different components of your braking system. When you push on your brake, the brake fluid helps deliver that action and pushes on the rotors at the four corners of your vehicle. Your car begins to slow down because of the applied pressure to the wheels.

If you are looking for a more technical answer, when you press on the brake pedal, a piston inside the brake caliper also compresses. As this increases the pressure inside the brake lines, the brake fluid is being set into motion. Brake fluid pressure makes the brake rotors squeeze down on brake pads, touching the wheels. This slows the vehicle down and brings the wheels to a stop. 

 

There is not one answer for all. While some manufacturers recommend every two years, others say it is not necessary at all. Although brake fluid is contained in a sealed system and can survive for years, moisture and surrounding air can travel through the system and affect the fluid. To be sure, get familiar with your manufacturer’s recommendation and always consult your trusted mechanic.

 

Finding the location of the brake fluid is not as hard as it may seem. To begin, open the hood of your car. On the driver’s side, look for a master cylinder at the back of the engine bay. The reservoir with the brake fluid is right above. Most cars have a transparent reservoir with min and max lines. If your brake liquid is in between these lines, you have nothing to worry about.

 

The majority of all brake fluid looks the same – it is clear with a yellow tint. If your brake fluid is good, it will remain somewhat clear even if the color may change a bit with time. If your brake fluid is dark brown or black, it’s time to have it flushed and put in new brake fluid.

 

The stopping power of your car directly relies on the condition of your brake fluid. Properly looking after your brake fluid is important, without proper maintenance your car simply will not be able to stop when pressure is applied to the brake pedal.  If your car needs brake fluid added more than every few months, then you may be experiencing a leak. As brakes are one of the most crucial elements of your car, detection, and elimination of any problem should be done in a timely manner at a certified service center, like one of our 13 United Tire & Service locations. We recommend checking your brake fluid once a year to make sure it is at the correct levels, so feel free to make an appointment and stop into one of our locations. One of our experienced technicians will be more than happy to make sure your car is 100% safe for the road.