Maintaining the right brake fluid level is an important part of keeping any vehicle's brake system in tip-top shape. Therefore, most drivers are advised to change their vehicle's brake fluid every two to three years. Fortunately, refueling a vehicle's brake fluid is an easy task that any driver can do on their own, saving time, money and effort. All you need to get started is good quality oil (type DOT 3 or DOT 4) and a basic understanding of vehicle handling in general!
Step
Method 1 of 1: Checking Brake Oil Level
Step 1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface and turn off the engine
- Before proceeding, make sure that the vehicle is parked by activating the handbrake. While the risk of the vehicle rolling by itself is almost unheard of in this process, it's better to be on guard for safety than to regret later.
- In vehicles with manual transmission, park in first gear and apply the handbrake.
Step 2. Locate the brake fluid reservoir on the hood
- After turning off the vehicle engine, open the hood and find the brake fluid reservoir. This housing is usually small, pale in color (with a dark lid) and is located near the top end of the driver's section of the engine bay.
- The brake fluid reservoir is connected to the brake master cylinder. From the front, it looks like a small metal box or hose near the back of the machine.
- Note that most brake fluid containers have the instructions printed on the top of the lid. Before refilling your brake fluid, follow these instructions. This article is written for general cases and may not be perfectly accurate for every vehicle, but your vehicle manufacturer's instructions should be accurate for your vehicle.
Step 3. Clean the top and cover before opening the brake fluid reservoir to check the fluid level
- Make sure that you do need additional brake fluid before continuing with this process. Most brake fluid containers should have “minimum” and “maximum” markings on them.
- Some of the newest types of vehicles are specially designed so that the brake fluid level can be monitored even though the container is still locked. On a vehicle like this, you only need to read the brake fluid level mark from the outside of the container.
Step 4. Add brake fluid if the level is low or the old brake fluid has changed color
- If the brake fluid level is lower than the “min” or “add” line mark, it means it's time to add new brake fluid. You should also check your brakes, because if the old brake fluid is very low or is running low, this could be a sign of a problem with the brake system as a whole, such as worn out brake pads.
- Another detail to note is the color of the brake fluid. If the brake fluid is still good, the color is clear and usually light yellow. After use, the brake fluid gradually becomes dark in color because it is mixed with dirt. If your brake fluid is brown or black, it's not enough to just add new brake fluid. You need to get rid of the old fluid and replace it entirely. This is a clear sign that it's time to remove the old brake fluid from your vehicle and add the new brake fluid as needed until the level is full.
- If the brake fluid level in the container is sufficient and the color is still good, you may not need to do anything, unless your vehicle has been scheduled for regular inspections and repairs. If so, just record the date of your examination for future reference.
Added New Brake Fluid
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Use the appropriate brake fluid.
Image - Check your vehicle's manual for specific instructions on the type of brake fluid to use. Usually, information about the type of brake fluid that should be used is also listed on the brake fluid container cover. In most vehicles, use standard DOT 3 or DOT 4 glycol based brake fluid.
- Some types of brake systems require the use of DOT 5 brake fluid, which, because it is silicone based, has a different scientific composition than DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid. Conventional vehicle maintenance policy states that DOT 5 should not be mixed with DOT 3 or DOT 4, or used in systems that are intended for different types of brake fluid, as it can cause damage to the brakes of the vehicle.
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Clean the container and lid with a clean, dry cloth.
Image - Quickly wipe the top of the brake fluid reservoir with a clean cloth to remove any dirt or dust. This is to ensure that nothing can fall into the housing while preventing brake fluid from dripping on your clothes or on other parts of the engine.
- If you accidentally get brake fluid on your hands, wash your hands. Brake fluid is quite harsh and can remove paint on metal, so it can be dangerous if you leave it on your skin for too long.
- When finished, close the cover of the container and the hood of the vehicle. Safe! You're done.
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Open the lid of the container and add brake fluid.
Image - Pouring additional brake fluid into the container on your vehicle is quite easy. Just pour the liquid through the holes of the container carefully. Use minimum and maximum line guidelines, if any. If your container doesn't have this mark, fill it to about 2/3 to 3/4 full.
- You may want to consider using a clean cloth to avoid spills. If you're using a clean cloth, be sure to wash it after you're done with soap and water, as brake fluid is very dangerous.
Drain and Replace Brake Fluid
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Check your vehicle's manual before starting.
Refill Brake Fluid Step 8 - Getting rid of the old brake fluid and replacing it with a new one is basically a more difficult task than just pouring in extra brake fluid. This action also has its own risks. Therefore, you should study your vehicle's manual before starting. These guidelines may not apply to every vehicle, so it is important to double-check the official instructions from your vehicle manufacturer, to ensure that you do not accidentally cause damage to the vehicle.
- Note that this is a job that cannot be done alone. So you should also get a friend to help you before you start.
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Jack up your vehicle and remove all tires.
Image - Before starting, you need to jack up the vehicle with a jack. Remove each tire the same as if you were changing your vehicle's tires.
- The height of the work surface and the safety of the equipment used are very important. When the vehicle is raised higher than the floor level, overturning is rare but the possibility is still very dangerous.
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Fill the container with new brake fluid.
Image - Open the hood cover and find the brake fluid reservoir as usual. Pour additional brake fluid into the container, especially if the old brake fluid in the container is no longer as colored as the original.
- When you're done, put the lid back on. In the next few steps, you'll be getting in and out of your car again and again, sometimes adding new brake fluid to the reservoir. As you do this, keep in mind that “don't open the brake fluid reservoir cover when your brake pedal is depressed”, as this will cause the contents to gush out.
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Locate the brake fluid seepage valve.
Image - On each brake "caliper", you will see a seepage valve at the rear. This is usually in the form of a screw with a small valve on top and is sometimes equipped with a rubber cover.
- In the next few steps, you will use this seepage valve to drain unused brake fluid from the vehicle's brake lines. Usually, this is done by starting with the rear tire on the side opposite the brake fluid reservoir and working your way to the next tires in the opposite order with the closest distance to the reservoir. However, many vehicles use a different order, so make sure that you double-check your manual.
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Start draining from the first tire.
Image - This is a difficult process.
- Start by connecting the drain valve to a clear plastic container (such as an empty soft drink bottle) with a pipe. Ideally, this receptacle should be hung or held above the caliper to prevent air from entering the brake system through the valve. Loosen the valve a little, not so loosely that the brake fluid can drain, but loose enough to let out the rest of the flow.
- Ask a friend to help pump the vehicle's brakes several times until he or she feels pressure or a push against the brake pedal (the vehicle's engine must be turned off at this step). When he feels pressure, loosen the seepage valve until the liquid begins to pass through the pipe. Your friend should be able to feel the brake pedal moving toward the floor.
- Be sure to stop the flow of brake fluid before the brake pedal hits the floor. Your friend has to scream to tell you when the brake pedal is almost 2/3 of the way off the floor. Letting the pedal touch the floor will damage the brakes.
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Fill brake fluid as needed.
Image - Do not allow the brake fluid to drain until you can no longer see it in the reservoir, as this will allow air to enter the brake system. Check the brake fluid reservoir after each seepage. If necessary, add new brake fluid again to fill to the proper level line.
- Repeat the draining process above, then refill the brake fluid into the container, until the fluid that passes through the valve is clear and free of air bubbles. Close the bleed screw when it is finished tightly.
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Drain the next tires.
Image - After you have drained the brake fluid on the first tire as directed above, move on to the next. As mentioned earlier, the usual order for draining a vehicle's brake fluid is to start with the rear tire that is farthest from the brake fluid reservoir and move on to the next tires in the opposite order from the closest side, until ending with the front tire closest to the reservoir.. However, this order may differ for some vehicles, so check your vehicle manual.
- As a final test, check the brake fluid level in the case when your friend presses the pedal and then immediately releases it. If the brake pedal feels soft, there may still be air bubbles in the brake system, then you need to continue draining.
- When you are finished with the last tire and no air bubbles remain in the brake lines, refill the brake fluid reservoir to the correct level line and close it again.
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Put the lid back on the container and clean the area of any spilled liquid.
Image - Use a clean cloth to clean any drips or spills of brake fluid around the container, and be careful when wiping off dust so that it doesn't get into an open brake fluid reservoir.
- Double-check to ensure that the brake fluid reservoir cover is securely attached and that the rubber is properly seated, before closing the hood and operating the vehicle. Reinstall the tires and carefully lower the vehicle back to the floor.
- Safe! You have just changed your vehicle's brake fluid. This is not an easy job for beginners.
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Make sure that you clean up any spilled liquid stains.
Refill Brake Fluid Step 16 - If brake fluid splashes on the floor, don't forget to clean it. Brake fluid is not only dangerous, but also toxic and can cause a person to slip.
- Small spills can usually be cleaned up with a damp towel or mop. For large/wide spills, absorb the liquid with a non-combustible material, such as sand, dust, diatomaceous earth, etc., then dispose of in the trash.
- Don't let brake fluid run off, and don't use soil that absorbs liquids normally used for gardening, as brake fluid is toxic and harmful to the environment if processed and treated properly.
Tips
- Wipe up spilled brake fluid immediately with a thick cloth, as it can rust and damage paint or clothing.
- Some types of new cars with "ABS" brake system will require a "scanner" (image filter) or a special tool to drain the brake fluid while activating the "ABS" system.
- Always use brake fluid in a new, sealed package to ensure that no outside air or moisture can seep into the container and contaminate the moist, highly sensitive fluid.
Warning
- Water or dust can cause your brake system to malfunction if the brake fluid is contaminated, so carry out this process with care.
- Do not use DOT 5, because this type of brake fluid has high performance, unless that is what your vehicle manual recommends. The brake fluid is incompatible with other brake fluids and can damage the brake system if mixed.
- https://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-change-your-brake-fluid.html
- https://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-fill-your-cars-brake-fluid
- https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/brake-fluid.php
- https://www.myautorepairadvice.com/brake-fluid-color.html
- https://www.fallastarmedia.com/movies/brakefluid.htm
- https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/brake-fluid.php
- https://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-bleed-your-brakes-feature
- https://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-bleed-your-brakes-feature
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https://www.online.petro-canada.ca/datasheets/en_CA/w449.pdf
