Brake fluid is a must-have on any car, truck, or motorcycle. But how much should you flush your brake fluid each time your brakes are serviced? In this article, we’ll provide you with tips on how to determine when your brake fluid needs flushing and how to flush your brake fluid correctly.
What is Brake Fluid and What Does it Do?
Brake fluid is a type of fluid that helps to stop the movement of the brake pads on your car’s wheels. It is made up of water, glycols, and other chemicals. Brake fluid helps to lubricate the brake pads, preventing them from rubbing against each other.
How Much Brake Fluid Should I Flush?
If you have a manual brake pedal, you will need to flush the brake fluid every 3 to 6 months, depending on the type of brake fluid used. If you have a automatic braking system, the manufacturer should provide the maintenance schedule. In general, you should flush your brake fluid every time there is a change in the level or type of fluid.
When Should I Flush My Brake Fluid?
When it comes time to flush your brake fluid, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Brake fluid is a petroleum-based product, so it needs to be flushed out and replaced every 3 to 6 months, depending on the type of vehicle. Here are some guidelines on when to flush your brake fluid:
-If your brakes feel spongy or soft after use, it’s time to flush your system.
-If your brakes start making a squealing noise, it’s also time to flush your system.
-If your brake pedal feels unusually heavy or if the fluid looks rusty or brown, it’s time to replace your brake fluid and flush the system.
Tips for Properly Flushing Brake Fluid
If your car has a manual transmission, it’s important to flush the brake fluid every 3 to 6 months, depending on how much use the brakes get. If your car has an automatic transmission, you may only have to fluff the fluid every 3 months or so. Here are a few tips for properly flushing brake fluid:
1) Make sure all of the fluid is drained from the reservoir. Remove the cap and let the fluid run out until it’s below the level of the brake lines.
2) Shut off the car’s engine and wait at least five minutes before trying to refill the reservoir. This will help prevent air bubbles from forming in the system.
3) Pour about half of the reservoir’s contents into a container (a quart should do). Add enough water to make a slurry and stir well.
4) Using a funnel, pour the slurry into the reservoir. Be sure to fill in any spaces between the lines with the slurry.
5) Replace the cap and start up your car. The system will automatically purge any air bubbles.
Conclusion
If your car has a brake fluid warning light on, it’s time to flush the system. Flushing the brake fluid will remove any contaminates that may have built up over time and cleared out any malfunctions in the system. Follow these simple steps to flush the brake fluid: Park your car on level ground Turn off all of the engine’s lights Open the drivers door Carefully pour about 2 quarts of water into the reservoir below the pedal (the one with a hose coming out of it) Close Drivers Door Wait 10 minutes for all of the water to drain back into reservoir Drive your car around for about 10 minutes after flushing to make sure everything works properly