Is It Necessary To Replace The Brake Fluid On A Regular Basis?

By Author: Car Services in Reading
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When it comes to a car's brakes, they are one of the most critical components that frequently go unnoticed until they fail. Checking the discs, calipers and even the pads is a common aspect of basic vehicle maintenance for the more car-savvy, but what about brake fluid?

Brake fluid's purpose
It is responsible for moving the different components of your vehicle's hydraulic braking system to clamp the pads to the brake disc, and it is responsible for transferring brake fluid. When the pedal is pushed, this fluid helps slow or stop a vehicle by working at high temperatures and pressures.

It is largely contained inside the brake lines and aids in the delivery of the force generated by your brake pedal to each of your car's four brake discs. Your braking force will be reduced if the brake fluid is too low, polluted by moisture, or does not flow properly. As a result, your vehicle poses a risk to you and the people around you when driving.

If the braking system in your car is not to working standards you are risking an MOT failure. To avoid being in this type of situation, check MOT status ...
... of your car and have your car mechanic repair your braking system before your next MOT is due.

Check your car's MOT status online and schedule a pre-MOT inspection with your technician. This will save you time and money in the long run as one of the most common reasons for an MOT failure is the braking system.

Over time, brake systems deteriorate
The braking system, like other mechanical components of a vehicle, will deteriorate with time. Rubber lines, valves, calipers, and brake pads will degrade over time and via normal use.

Small pieces of rubber from the brake lines may break off and wind up in the braking fluid. The fluid will also age and lose its capacity to perform under high pressures and temperatures over time. Moisture can also seep into the system, causing corrosion and air bubbles, all of which contributes to a faulty braking system.

This might cause the pedals to feel spongy and the brakes to take a long time to slow the car down. It's possible that the pedal will drop all the way to the floor, resulting in full brake failure.

When you complete an MOT check, you will see from the history that brake pads and brake discs being worn out are a common MOT failure.

5 Signs You Should Replace Your Brake Fluid
There are clear signals that there is a need to be replaced or topped off. The top five are as follows:

1. Illuminated ABS Light
If your ABS light comes on, you know your brake fluid either needs a change or has to be topped up. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a braking system that prevents wheels from locking up. If you need to refill or replace the brake fluid in your car, your ABS light will turn on, especially if you're driving a modern vehicle.

2. Pedal Issues
If you've been experiencing trouble pushing down on your brake pedal recently, it's likely that you're in need of extra fluid. It might also imply that the existing fluid needs to be replaced. When you press your foot down, it seems much "softer." It's time for a change.

3. Strange Noises
Your brakes will let you know if you don't have enough brake fluid in your car, or if it is old. If your brakes begin to make any noise, bring your car in to get checked out before any more serious issues occur.

4. Brake Pads Aren't Working Correctly
These will unavoidably be affected by low or filthy fluid. If your brakes aren't functioning as well as they once did, or if you hear any screaming, grinding, or squeaking, it's time to change the fluid or the brake pads.

5. A Burning Smell
After repeated heavy braking, a chemical smell indicates an overheated clutch or brakes. If this occurs, pull over right away and let your brakes cool. If you don't, the brake fluid will heat up and fail, resulting in braking failure. If you notice any weird odours or see any smoke, it's an indication that you not only need fresh brake fluid, but you may also have additional issues.

How often should your brake fluid be changed?
When your car is in for its routine scheduled maintenance repair, it is the optimum time to get it replaced. If you're driving a used car, a reasonable rule of thumb is to service the brake fluid every 20,000 miles or once every two years. You may also consult your vehicle's owner's handbook for further information on when the it should be changed.

Another thing you may do is look visually. Locate the brake fluid reservoir situated above your brake master cylinder to do so. This is usually located near the vehicle's firewall, on the driver's side. It's time to get the brake fluid cleaned or refilled if the fluid isn't clear or transparent. Even though the brake fluid is clear, it only has a shelf life of around two years, depending on your driving conditions. However, it's still essential to change it on time because it might impact the performance of your braking system.

Brake flushing involves withdrawing all of the brake fluid from the system and replacing it with new fluid. Brake bleeding is simply the removal of a small volume of brake fluid to clear air bubbles from the brake lines. Brake fluid flushing should also be performed by a professional technician or car repair and maintenance garage, as the braking system is a key vehicle component with little margin for mistake.

If you check MOT history of your car, you will realise how many times the components of the braking system were the reason for an MOT failure If a technician or car service and repair garage suggests a brake flush following a visual or mileage check, it's best to be safe than sorry and take the extra step to protect your braking system. It will be less expensive to pay for the fluid and labour than it will be to replace brake components that have been damaged due to poor maintenance or, worse, an accident.