Excite Autos
Advertisement
Autos Home Buy/Sell Research Insurance Car Care

LEARNLETS
How can I check my car's brake fluid?
Checking brake fluid is simple and straightforward.

1. Park your car on even ground. Make sure the engine is cool before you check it.
2. Find the master cylinder reservoir that holds the brake fluid. Consult your owner?s manual if you need help finding it. The reservoirs are usually made out of iron with an iron cylinder, or plastic with an iron cylinder. The latter is usually found in late-model cars.
3. If your car?s reservoir is plastic, you can visually inspect it from the outside to see if it needs more fluid. The reservoir will be marked with a "full" line.
4. If your car?s reservoir is made out of iron, it will have a cover that is held in place with a wire bail. Clean around the cover to keep any contaminants from falling into the reservoir, and unsnap the bail. Take off the cover and check the fluid level.
5. If you need more fluid, pour it through a funnel into the reservoir. The plastic reservoir?s cover should simply unscrew. Once again, be sure to clean it before opening it, so that contaminants don?t fall into the reservoir. When filling the reservoir, the fluid should come up to within 1/4 inch (6 mm) of the top of the reservoir.
6. Fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake pads on disc brakes wear. But low fluid level may be an indication of a leak. If you suspect a leak, have it checked out.



MORE LEARNLETS
Identify Drive Belt Problems
Clean Car Windows
Turn a Stuck Ignition Key
Avoid Overheating Your Vehicle
   More learnlets...

 Click here to email this page to a friend  

 OTHER 2TORIALS AND LEARNLETS
2torials:
Learnlets:
Autos
Travel
Business
Autos
Travel

 AUTO 2TORIALS
Shop for Car Insurance
Which policy’s right for you? Explore the options. Understand the costs.
Install and Remove Snow Chains
Get a grip on winter driving.
Flush a Car Radiator
Take care of your cooling system--your auto’s health depends on it.
Lease a Car
Navigate the in’s and out’s of this promising purchase alternative.
Change a Flat Tire
Don’t despair. Get back on the road in a jiffy.
 More 2torials...

Advertisement