Brake fluid is essential to keeping your car in good working order and preventing accidents. However, not all brake fluids are created equal – some are better for the brakes on cars and others are better for the parking brakes. In this article, we’re going to explore the different types of brake fluids and what can be used to flush them.
Types of Brake Fluid
Brake fluid can be flushed with a variety of fluids, depending on the type of brake system. The most common types of systems are hydraulic and mechanical. Hydraulic brakes use a fluid reservoir to store pressure while the brakes are applied. When the brake pedal is released, the pressure in the reservoir reduces and sends a signal to the braking system. Mechanical brakes use cables and pulleys to apply pressure to the braking system. When you release the brake pedal, the cable slackens, sending a signal to the pulley which then applies pressure to the braking system.
How to Flush Brake Fluid
If your car has a brake fluid reservoir, you can flush it with plain water. If your car doesn’t have a reservoir, you can use a container filled with about two cups of water and one cup of brake cleaner. Pour the cleaner into the container and add enough water to cover the cleaner. Drive the car until the fluid is clean.
Which Brake Fluid to Use
There are a few different ways to flush brake fluid, depending on what type of system your car has. For systems with hydraulic pressure, such as cars with ABS, you can use the bleed procedure described below. For systems without hydraulic pressure, such as manual brakes, you can use a plunger or vacuum cleaner to suction up the fluid and push it through the system.
When to Replace Brake Fluid
There are many reasons why you might need to replace brake fluid, but the most common one is when the fluid has been contaminated. If your car has a mechanical parking brake, you’ll need to replace the fluid every two years or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. If your car uses hydraulic brakes, you should change the fluid every year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Conclusion
Brake fluid is an important part of your car’s system, and it needs to be flushed regularly in order to keep it functioning properly. There are a few things that can be used to flush brake fluid, but the most common is boiling water. This method works best if the brake fluid has been contaminated with dirt or other debris, as boiling will scour away any contaminants. If you don’t have access to a potable water source, you can also use a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment to suck up the brake fluid and then discard it.