When you press against the brake pedal, you want your car to come to a stop as quickly and smoothly as possible. It’s necessary for the comfort of you and your passengers and ensuring that you get where you’re headed safely. Regularly checking your brake fluid is an essential part of your car’s braking system, as it optimises the performance of your brakes and prevents avoidable damage that can require costly repairs. Here are a few things to check for to ensure that your brake fluid is maintaining your brake system.
Brake Fluid Level
Brake fluid is responsible for taking the force of your foot on the brake pedal and transferring it to the brake rotors which apply force to your wheels. This is what brings your vehicle to a stop. It is integral to your safety while driving, so you must be sure that it’s at the right level and working properly.
Low levels of brake fluid significantly decrease the stopping power of your car. However, having the right level will increase brake sensitivity and maintain consistent stopping times.
Water and Contaminant Content
Over time, brake fluid will absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Brake fluid contains additives called corrosion inhibitors that protects the metals inside various components of the braking system from damage caused by moisture. Eventually, these additives will begin to degrade, which causes corrosion.
A mechanic needs to check that the water content of your brake fluid is not too high. This is a great way to increase the longevity of your car and ensure a car’s roadworthiness. Water and impurities can cause changes to the brake fluid like a lowering its boiling point. Regardless of the temperature outside, you want your brake fluid to work consistently. That way it doesn’t matter whether you’ve been driving for hours under the heat of the sun, or whether you’ve only just started your engine in the middle of winter.
Leaks
While a small decrease in brake fluid is normal and can be taken care of as part of your regular car service, consistently low levels could indicate a leak. It is important to have your brake fluid levels checked regularly so that any necessary repairs can be made as soon as possible.
Contact Us
If you think you’ve had some of the problems listed below, get the most experienced brake repairs Joondalup has to offer. Our team of expert mechanics at Carcare Joondalup are available to conduct brake fluid checks and take care of all your car’s repair and servicing requirements. Call us today on (08) 9300 9796 or contact us online.