Brake fluid can often be a messy affair, requiring you to pour it into the reservoir and then use the lever to squirt some of it into the calipers. But how much fluid is needed in order to flush the brakes?
In this article, we’ll take a look at how much brake fluid is needed to flush the brakes, and also discuss the benefits of doing so.
What are Brakes
A lot of people don’t realize that their car’s brakes need to be flushed on a regular basis. Brake fluid is a vital part of your car’s braking system and if it isn’t kept clean, your brakes will not work as efficiently. When you have to replace your brake pads or rotors, you’ll also want to flush the system to get rid of any old debris. Here’s how much fluid you should use:
-If you have drum brakes: Add 1 cup of brake fluid every year or 12,000 miles.
-If you have disc brakes: Add 1 cup of brake fluid every 3 years or 30,000 miles.
How Brakes Work
How brakes work is explained in simple terms with help of an analogy. Imagine you are driving on the highway and you see a car in your lane stopping suddenly. Your brake pedal might feel like it’s going to push down farther, but it doesn’t because your car’s braking system is using hydraulic pressure to stop. When you hit the brakes, the hydraulic pressure from the brake fluid squirt through all of your brake lines and into the calipers (the two metal discs that act as brake pads). The calipers grab onto the rotors on your wheels, and as long as you keep pushing on the pedal, the fluid will keep pumping until your car comes to a complete stop.
How to Flush Brakes
If you have a car that has hydraulic brakes, you may need to flush the system every few months or so. The process of flushing the brakes is simple and can be done by following these steps:
1. Park your car in a safe location with the brake pedal all the way down.
2. Open all the doors and remove any objects blocking the path of the brake fluid.
3. Turn off the car’s ignition, then release the brake pedal slowly.
4. Allow the brake fluid to flow into a container while you hold down the emergency brake.
5. Release the emergency brake and close all the doors.
6. Turn on the car’s ignition and check to see if there is any change in braking performance. If there is no change, you can repeat steps 4-6 until there is a change in braking performance.
When to Flush Brakes
When should you flush your brakes? Brakes are designed to stop a car quickly, so it’s important to keep them in good working order. Flushing your brakes every time you use them can help make sure they’re capable of stopping on a quick note. Here’s how much fluid you need to flush your brakes:
-If the brake pedal feels spongy or soft, it may be time to flush the system. Add enough fluid to fill the reservoir two or three times.
-If the brake pedal feels firm, don’t add any fluid. The system is already flushed according to manufacturer guidelines.
Conclusion
If you’re having trouble with your brakes, it may be because you aren’t flushing them properly. Brake fluid needs to be flushed every 30,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. If your brakes are not being flushed regularly, the fluid can build up and cause poor braking performance. Follow these steps to flush your brakes:
1) Open the hood and locate the brake lines near the engine.
2) Use a wrench to unscrew the cap on the brake reservoir (you may need a second person if it’s difficult to get it off).
3) Pour enough water into the reservoir until it covers all of the brake pads. Don’t pour too much water; just enough so that when you screw on the cap again, it’s tight but not too tight.
4) Replace the cap and tighten it using a wrench.
5) Repeat this step for each wheel.