Adding Brake Fluid

Learning about adding brake fluid to your car's engine is an important step towards becoming a responsible motorist, just like changing your tyres. We all want to be safe drivers and we all want to keep our car running as smoothly and powerfully as possible. In order to do this we should be checking out brake fluid regularly and either adding to it or changing it at least once every two years.

The Importance of Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is, basically, what ensures your brakes react correctly. It is a hygroscopic, hydraulic fluid which means it begins to absorb water the longer it stays in your engine. If water presence in your brake fluid becomes overly dominant it will lower the boiling point of the brake fluid. The lower this becomes the less effectual your braking power will be.

One of the most dangerous things in this situation is that, other than the affect it has on the brakes, the rest of the car will run as normal, so many drivers will not realize they have corrupted brake fluid until they attempt a particularly hard brake and their car doesn't respond. Therefore, checking and maintaining brake fluid is central to running a safe car. While a mechanic will happily do this job for you, often for free if you visit them regularly, it is a very simple process you should learn to do yourself.

Checking and Adding Fluid

The first step in the process is to check whether or not you need to add brake fluid to your car. Open the bonnet of the car and locate the brake master cylinder. Where this is in your particular engine will depend on the make and model of your car, but generally you'll find it near the driver's side. It is a small, rectangular plastic container being fed by tubes, usually held in place with a metal holder. If you can't find it, check in the owner's manual.

If you have a newer car your master cylinder will probably be transparent, allowing you to see how high the level of fluid is without touching the box. If your car is ten years old or more, it is likely you will need to unscrew the lid with a screwdriver and look into it to check the levels. In either case there should be a line telling you where the fluid should be. If there isn't one, check the manual on how to measure your brake fluid.

If the fluid is low you'll need to add some brake fluid. Different makes and models use different types of brake fluid so make sure you check your manual as to what the manufacturer recommends. Prices per bottle vary from around 8 to 30 pounds. Don't buy a cheaper fluid than your manufacturer recommends though, as it could ruin the performance of the engine.

Be careful while pouring the fluid into the engine. Under absolutely no circumstances touch the brake fluid, even with gloved fingers. Brake fluid is a highly corrosive liquid which will burn skin and clothes. It will also dissolve paint, so unless you want to shell out on a re-spray, keep it off the body of your car too. A bottle should last you a long time, so make sure and store it safely, cap screwed on tight and well away from the hands of children.

Adding brake fluid to your car is about keeping yourself safe on the road and maintaining a healthy vehicle. It is also a simple, straightforward and cheap task. Make sure you know how to check and add brake fluid to your car before you set off on the road.

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