Checking the Brake Fluid in Your Car

Knowing that your brakes are going to work whenever you depress the pedal is simply one of those non-negotiable features of driving that we more or less take for granted in this day and age. It is a comforting thought to know that if a cow steps in front of your car, you can come to a stop without significant damage to vehicle or ruminant. That is just one of the little truths you will find in life. But to suddenly have doubts over the effectiveness of your brakes is just horrible. Where can you go if you cannot slow down at shortish notice? This is why it is essential that you make sure your brake fluid is topped up before you drive anywhere. Fortunately it takes almost no time at all, but this does not mean you can just leave it undone.

To check the brake fluid in your car, you first need to find the brake master cylinder. This will be under the hood, on the driver side of the car. Think in a straight line from your brake pedal, and that should be where it crops up. It will be a small metal box-shape, with a rubber cap on top of it and small metal tubes leading from it. If you are still not sure, you have found the master cylinder, check your manual or read what is on top of the rubber cap. Usually it will have instructions on what brake fluid to use, so if you find something with this advice on it you will know you have found the right component.

For older cars you will then need to lift off the rubber cap and check inside. There is a fill line around the inside of the cylinder, and if the fluid is short of this line then it needs topping up. On newer cars, often the cylinder will be transparent with the fill line around the outside. Fill the cylinder to above this line whenever it falls beneath it, to ensure that you never have brake failure due to lack of brake fluid. Of course, you should follow that advice that was last mentioned on the top of the rubber cap, too. It will need to be the right kind of brake fluid, after all.

If the cylinder is completely empty you will need to go and visit your mechanic. This will be because the brakes need to be bled, thus not leaving a big air bubble in the middle of your brake lines where it could cause an accident. The importance of having working brakes cannot be lost on any driver.

If you have successfully topped up the brake fluid in your car, your next step needs to be a thorough washing of the hands. The stuff is extremely toxic, so do not go making yourself a sandwich to celebrate your usefulness until you have got every trace of it off your hands. It would be ironic if you were to end up in hospital because you HAD topped up your brake fluid.

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By Levi Quinn