To keep your brakes in good working order, mechanics would recommend servicing your brake fluid every one to two years. How Often Should I Change My Brake Fluid? Using the same brake fluid will ensure lasting durability and performance, so you can feel confident that your brakes are working at their best. However, it’s always best to use the same type of brake fluid to guarantee optimum braking performance. This means that mixing different types of brake fluid won’t have any harmful effects. One of the requirements of the DOT system is cross-compatibility, so brake fluid manufacturers must ensure their fluids won’t inhibit braking performance if they’re mixed with other products in a car’s braking system.
BRAKE FLUID MANUAL
Your manual will let you know which type of brake fluid to use.
While it’s better to use brake fluid with a higher DOT rating, you should always refer to your car’s manual, as some brake fluids are incompatible with different brake lines and systems. The table below shows the characteristics of DOT brake fluids: DOT As a rule of thumb, the higher the boiling point, the longer the lifespan of the brake fluid. The DOT ratings given to brake fluids are based on the liquid’s dry and wet boiling points.
DOT simply stands for Department of Transport, which sets the safety regulations for the acceptable performance of different brake fluids. What do Brake Fluid DOT Ratings Mean?Īll forms of brake fluid are given a DOT rating. You should also take care when you’re checking or changing the brake fluid to ensure the fluid doesn’t come into contact with excessive air and moisture. You should change the brake fluid at least once every two years to keep your brakes working properly. This leads to a soft, spongy brake pedal feel, and will stop your car braking as well as it should.
BRAKE FLUID FULL
If brake fluid becomes too full of moisture, problems can arise when the fluid becomes hot under braking, with the moisture turning to vapour inside the brake lines. As brake fluid ages it can absorb small amounts of moisture from its surroundings, including the air this is called hygroscopic. One of the biggest things that can inhibit the performance of a car’s brake fluid is moisture. This makes it vital that brake fluid is regularly checked and maintained, ensuring good braking performance in all conditions. When the brake pedal is pressed, the compressive effect builds pressure in the brake system, forcing the fluid to press down on the brake rotors, squeezing the brake pads to bring the car to a stop.īecause of the high-stress, high-friction nature of braking, brake fluid must operate perfectly at high pressures and temperatures.
BRAKE FLUID HOW TO
Some motorists might find brake-related maintenance a little intimidating, but with a basic knowledge of what brake fluid is, how it works and how to maintain it, you can make sure your car’s braking system is always operating at peak performance.
BRAKE FLUID DRIVERS
Despite being one of the most important components of a car’s braking system, brake fluid is often neglected, and many drivers are unsure how to check their car’s fluid, let alone replace it.
0 kommentar(er)
