How to Check Brake Fluid

Brakes are one of the most important components of your vehicle. It’s crucial that you ensure your brakes are always working correctly. One way to make sure everything is in great working order is by checking your brake fluid regularly. Learn how to check brake fluid in your vehicle with the Land Rover Anaheim Hills service team today and drive safer on Los Angeles roads and beyond.

What is Brake Fluid?

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that helps with the movement of the brake pedal. This fluid also helps lubricate your braking system to keep it from corroding. In most cases, this fluid is glycol-ether based, but in some cases it can be either silicone-based (DOT-5) and mineral oil-based (LHM). Before you get started on checking your brake fluid, you’ll want to check your owner’s manual to see which type your specific model uses.

3 Steps to Check Brake Fluid

1. Locate your vehicle’s brake fluid reservoir on the master cylinder under the hood. Check your owner’s manual to find the exact location.
2. On the outside of the reservoir you should see “minimum” and “maximum” lines. Check the brake fluid against these lines. If the brake fluid is closer to the minimum line, it’s time for a brake fluid replacement or brake service.
3. Take a look at the color of the brake fluid. If it’s dark brown or black and looks more like oil, you’ll need a brake fluid flush.

Why Does Brake Fluid Need to Be Changed?

So, does brake fluid need to be changed? Yes. It’s important to regularly change your vehicle’s brake fluid for the following reasons:

• Brake fluid attracts moisture, which can cause corrosion on your brakes over time.
• When brake fluid ages, it becomes contaminated with small particles that can damage brake-related systems.
• Systems like ABS and traction control generate heat when they activate, which can shorten the lifespan of your brake fluid.

It’s best practice to check brake fluid regularly in order to avoid a scenario where your brakes fail due to damage.

What Color is Brake Fluid Normally?

Usually, new brake fluid should be almost clear with a yellowish tint. This changes over time as you continuously use your braking system. Brake fluid picks up dirt and debris over time making it a dark, oil-like color. If unchanged, this can affect the performance of your brakes. If you’re unsure when to have your brake fluid changed, contact our service team or schedule an appointment to have this checked out for you.

Brake Fluid Service Intervals

It’s recommended that you check your brake fluid with every oil change, or at least once a year. Brake fluid can last about four to five years, but this varies depending on the car, driving habits, and driving conditions. If you’d like to have OEM-certified service technicians take a look for you, they will be able to change your brake fluid and keep your vehicle running smoothly on Orange County roads.

Land Rover Anaheim Hills Helps with Brake Service

No matter if you’d like to change your brake fluid at home or you want to schedule an appointment for our team to take a look, we can help. With our available service tips, we can help you learn more about car care and if you use our service specials, you can save more on the services your vehicle needs. Contact us today to learn more about your savings options, our Range Rover accessories, and more!