How to Check Brake Fluid

Learning how to check brake fluid is extremely important, as is one of the easiest ways to keep your braking system in working condition. Properly maintaining your brake system is crucial to the safety of you and other drivers on the Lexington roads. Learn more about how to check brake fluid and more about vehicle maintenance with Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc.. For more DIY car-care information, feel free to contact us anytime!

What is the Purpose of Brake Fluid?

Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid that keeps your brake pedal lubricated and prevents corrosion in brake system components. Brake fluid is usually glycol-ether-based, however, you can also find silicone-based (DOT-5) and mineral oil-based (LHM) fluids available. We recommend always consulting your owner’s manual to be sure you know exactly which type of brake fluid is recommended for your vehicle.

3 Easy Steps to Check Brake Fluid

1. Find the brake fluid reservoir on the master cylinder located under the hood. For help finding the reservoir, we recommend consulting your owner’s manual.
2. You should see “minimum” and “maximum” marking lines on the outside of the brake fluid reservoir. If the fluid level is close to the minimum, you should top off your brake fluid.
3. You should also check the color of the brake fluid, as if it’s black or dark brown, it might be time to flush the brake fluid.

Why Should You Change Brake Fluid?

Why should you change your brake fluid? Let’s check out a few of the most important reasons.

• Moisture is attracted to brake fluid, which could lead to corrosion and other issues.
• As your brake fluid gets older, it can attract various contaminants which may cause damage to your brake system.
• Safety features such as traction control and ABS cause heat to build up, which can also affect the lifespan of your brake fluid.

You should check your brake fluid often to catch any signs of a potential problem. This keeps both you and other Richmond, and Winchester drivers safe.

What Color is Brake Fluid?

Now that you know how to check brake fluid level, you need to know what color it should be normally. It should always have a yellow hue to it, and never any significant black or brown colors. If your brake fluid is dark-colored, your entire braking system could experience issues.

Service Intervals for Brake Fluid

When you change your oil, you should always check the brake fluid to ensure that the reservoir is filled and that it is the correct color. On average, brake fluid lasts around four to five years, however, various factors can affect its longevity. When you schedule service with Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc., we will check your brake fluid for you, and get you back out onto the London roads ASAP.

Schedule Brake Service with Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc.!

Now that you know more about how to check your brake fluid, you can either check it on your own or bring it to the Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc. service center. Be sure to check out our service specials to save on your next service near Richmond!

More About Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc. Service