Brake fluid is a critical part of your car’s braking system. If it becomes low or if the fluid is contaminated, your car’s braking system can become impaired. In this article, we’ll outline the importance of brake fluid flushing and explain when you should perform it.
What is brake fluid and what does it do?
Brake fluid is a type of fluid that is used to help stop your car. Brake fluid is made up of a variety of different chemicals, including water and oil. When you press down on the pedal, the brake pads push against the rotors and force the brake fluid into the calipers. The brake fluid helps to stop the car.
Brake fluid can get dirty over time. When this happens, it can cause your car to stop working properly. You should always have your brake fluid flushed when it starts to get dirty. This will clean the brake pads and help your car stop working properly.
When should brake fluid be flushed?
Brake fluid should be flushed every 7,500 miles or every 3 years, whichever comes first. Brake fluid is a consumable and should be kept at the proper level to avoid a decrease in braking performance.
How to flush brake fluid
If your car has a manual transmission, you will need to drain the brake fluid and refill it with new fluid every time the brakes are serviced. Brake fluid is also a good lubricant for the moving parts of your car’s braking system.
To flush brake fluid:
1. Park your car in a level area with room to spare.
2. Remove the front or rear wheel(s).
3. If your car has a manual transmission, remove the torque converterdorque shaft hub assembly by gently prying off each end where it mounts to the engine; then remove the two bolts that hold it in place (1).
4. Loosen and remove the brake hose from its coupler at the back of the master cylinder (2).
5. Disconnect the emergency brake cable (3) if your car has one.
6. Loosen and remove the banjo bolt that holds the brake line clamp in place on the caliper (4).
7. Carefully pull out the braided brake line (5) until it comes free from the caliper. If your car has anti-lock brakes,
What to do if your brake fluid doesn’t flush properly
If your brake fluid doesn’t seem to be flushing properly, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue.
First, you can check to make sure there isn’t anything blocking the brake lines. If the issue is with the brake lines themselves, you may need to have them replaced.
Next, you can try bleaching the brake fluid. This will clean the fluid and hopefully flush it properly.
If bleaching the brake fluid doesn’t work, you can try using a new type of brake fluid. Some vehicles require a specific type of brake fluid, so it may be worth checking with your vehicle manufacturer to see if this is what you need to fix the issue.
Conclusion
If you’re like most drivers, you probably don’t think much about your brake fluid. But when it starts to smell bad, or if there’s a loss of braking power, your car might be telling you that it needs to be topped off. Brake fluid is important because it helps the brakes work properly and stop your car in a safe manner. If you don’t have enough brake fluid, your brakes will not function as they should and could even lead to an accident. Make sure to keep your brake fluid at the recommended level by checking the manufacturer’s instructions, and always flushing your system with fresh brake fluid every time you change the oil in your vehicle.