Are you wondering how to care for your brakes? Brakes are crucial for both the performance and safety of your vehicle on the roads of Inverness. In order to appropriately care for your brakes, you’ll need to know how to check your brake fluid and if your brake fluid is the right color. What color is brake fluid? Find out with our service team so you can stay safe on Fruitland Park and Brooksville roads.
What is Brake Fluid?
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that helps with the movement of the brake pedal. It also lubricates your braking system and keeps it from corroding. Brake fluid in most vehicles is glycol-ether based, but there are also silicone-based (DOT-5) and mineral oil-based (LHM) fluids available. Check your owner’s manual to find out which type your specific model uses, and find OEM-approved brake fluids at our parts department in Inverness.
3 Steps to Check Brake Fluid
- Locate your vehicle’s brake fluid reservoir on the master cylinder under the hood. Check your owner’s manual to find the exact location.
- On the outside of the reservoir, you should see “minimum” and “maximum” lines. Check the brake fluid against these lines. If the brake fluid is closer to the minimum line, it’s time for a brake fluid replacement or brake service.
- Take a look at the color of the brake fluid. If it’s dark brown or black and looks more like oil, you’ll need a brake fluid flush.
Why Does Brake Fluid Need to Be Changed?
Does brake fluid need to be changed? The answer is yes for the following reasons:
- Brake fluid attracts moisture, which can cause corrosion on your brakes over time.
- When brake fluid ages, it becomes contaminated with small particles that can damage brake-related systems.
- Systems like ABS and traction control generate heat when they activate, which can shorten the lifespan of your brake fluid.
It’s best to regularly check brake fluid so you can avoid a scenario where your brakes actually fail to stop your car completely because of damage.
What Color is Brake Fluid Normally?
New brake fluid should be almost clear with a yellowish tint to it. Of course, this changes over time as you use your braking system. As we mentioned, dark oil-like brake fluid has picked up dirt and debris over time, which can affect the performance of your brakes if left unattended.
Brake Fluid Service Intervals
You should check your brake fluid with every oil change, or at least once a year. Brake fluid can last about four to five years, but this varies depending on the car, driving habits, and driving conditions. If you bring your vehicle in for routine scheduled maintenanceat an OEM-certified service center, the certified technicians will know when to check and change your brake fluid.
For Reliable Brake Service Turn to Plaza Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram!
Are you in need of brake service? If you’d like to let one of our experts take a closer look at your braking system, all you need to do is let us know! We’re just a short drive from Brooksville, and we offer a wide range of service specials that you’ll want to explore today.
