If you’re like most drivers, you’re probably familiar with brake flushes – those periodic checks that your car’s computer does to make sure all of the brakes are working properly. But what about brake fluid? Is it actually needed and, if so, when should it be flushed?
What is a Brake Flush and Why Should I Care?
If you live in a climate where the winters are cold and the summers are humid, your brakes may not last as long as they should. Moisture can cause your brake pads to swell and create a vacuum. This results in decreased stopping power and increased wear on your discs. Symptoms of a brake flush include: reduced braking distance, increased braking force required, and squealing or screeching when braking. A brake flush is an easy DIY job that can help prolong the life of your brakes! Here’s how to do it:
1) Park your car squarely on the center line of the parking spot.
2) Use a jack to raise the car up so that it’s sitting slightly higher than normal. This will give you easier access to your brakes.
3) Open all of your doors and remove any snow or ice from around your vehicle. This will help prevent water from freezing onto your brake rotors later on.
4) Remove your wheel covers if you have them. Brake fluid will get everywhere if it gets on the rotor surfaces!
5) Pour about 2 quarts of DOT 3 brake fluid into the drums or reservoirs located under each wheel. Make
What Causes a Brake Flush and How Can I Prevent It?
When your brake pedal feels spongy or you see black fluid seeping from the brake calipers, it’s time to do a brake flush. Here’s what you need to know about this common car maintenance task.
Brake flushes are typically performed when the brakes are feeling spongy, or when you see liquid seeping from the brake calipers. The reason for this is that brake fluid gets dirty over time, and deposits can cause the pedal to feel spongy or produce black fluid seepage.
To prevent a brake flush, make sure to keep your brakes clean and free of debris. Regularly check your fluid level and top off as needed. And if you notice any signs of braking issues, don’t hesitate to schedule a brake flush to get your car feeling smooth again!
What to Do If Your Vehicle Has a Brake Flush Warning Light
If your vehicle has a brake flush warning light, there are a few things you can do to resolve the issue. First, check to see if the fluid level is low. If it is, add brake fluid until the warning light goes out. If the light still pops up after adding fluid, your brakes may need to be replaced. In some cases, a brake flush can also fix other issues with your braking system, such as a warped brake pad or warped rotor.
How to Fix a Brake Flush on Your Own
If your brake fluid smells bad, or if you see bubbles in the fluid, it may be time to do a brake flush. This is a DIY project that can be done with just a few simple tools and supplies. Follow these steps to fix your own brake flush:
1) Park the car on a flat surface.
2) Remove the wheel and tire.
3) Remove the brake caliper by pressing down on the piston and pulling it off of the caliper. You will also need to remove the rotor from the caliper.
4) Use a bucket to catch any fluid that comes out of the caliper while you are removing it.
5) Pour 2 quarts of DOT 3 brake fluid into a large container.
6) Add 1 cup of white lithium soap to the DOT 3 fluid.
7) mix well and pour into the caliper. Make sure to fill all of the crevices in the caliper.
8) Replace the caliper and rotor and tighten with a torque wrench to 80 ft-lbs (10 Nm).
9) Reattach wheel and tire.
10) Drive the car around for a few minutes to distribute the soap mixture throughout the system
Conclusion
In this article, we will discuss whether or not brake flush is something that you should be doing on a regular basis. Valvoline offers a few different services and products that can help keep your brakes in good condition, but brake flush is not one of them. While there are some benefits to having your brakes flushed on a regular basis, the majority of the time it is unnecessary and can actually cause more harm than good. So if you haven’t done it in awhile and your brakes feel spongy or gritty, don’t panic — just give them a quick flush with fresh fluid and you’re good to go!