Flushing your brake fluid every 3,000 miles is a good practice to keep your brakes working properly. Whether you own a car or motorcycle, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. Here’s why brake fluid needs to be flushed and how you can do it yourself.
What is Brake Fluid and What are its Uses?
Brake fluid is used to stop the movement of a car’s wheels by applying pressure to the brake pads.
Brake fluid is composed of water, glycol and silicone.
The main function of brake fluid is to reduce friction between the brake pads and the rotors. Brake fluid also helps dissipate heat from the braking system.
How to Flush Brake Fluid
If your brakes are not working as they should, it may be time to flush the system. Brake fluid is a hygroscopic (water attracting) solvent and will pick up water from the air. Over time, this water can cause the brake pads to wear unevenly and create a dangerous stopping condition.
To flush the brake system:
1. Shut off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Open the hood of the car and locate and unhook the parking brake.
3. Disconnect both negative battery cables.
4. Remove any rust or debris that may have accumulated on or around the brake lines and hoses. There should be no more than 2 inches of hose between each fitting on each line. Hose clamps should also be removed if possible.
5. Connect one end of each brake line to a clean container, such as a garden hose, and place the other end into one of the calipers on either side of the wheel cylinder (or into an open hubcap if you have access). Make sure that both ends of each line are thoroughly wetted down before reconnecting them to avoid leaks later on. Note: The
When to Flush Brake Fluid
Brake fluid needs to be flushed when it becomes contaminated with brake dust, or when the brake fluid level falls below a certain point. Brake fluid must be flushed even if there is no visible sign of contamination.
Conclusion
Brake fluid needs to be flushed when it is no longer effective in braking the car. When brake fluid reaches the end of its life, it begins to release glycol and other chemicals that can cause corrosion on the brake pads and rotors. In order to keep your car safe and reliable, it is important to flush your brake system every 7,500 miles or three months, whichever comes first.