Brake fluid - Can you top up yourself?

Question

If your car has very little brake fluid, can you just top it up yourself, or should it be left to the professionals?

I read the Haynes manual and it said I needed to drain all of the old stuff out first, it had a difficulty rating of 3 spanners!!!!

Answer 1

Brake fluid is a vital but often overlooked part of the most critical safety system on a vehicle. Brake fluid should be changed every couple of years as it is hygroscopic, this means it absorbs moisture from the surround atmosphere and this moisture can if the brakes are used to stop from high speed turn in to steam due to the high temp, this will result in the brakes fading away to nothing then you have got a problem. You also need to know where the fluid has gone in the first place, how long since you had brake pads fitted ? are they low and need replacing? If the fluid hasnt been changed for a couple of years then it will need doing, you can buy kits which allow you to do this your self but there is another problem which is the bleed screws, when fitted to the car they have a little cap on them to prevent dirt getting in chances are they wont be there now and the bleed screws might be corroded, to free them off you need to wire brush them and then soak them in a releasing oil preferably overnight. To go back to the pads check them for wear and perfomr a visual check as well to see if you can see any leaks (you will need to get someone to hold the brake pedal down to pressurise the system) To bleed the brakes a pressure system can be used ( this works by using the spare tyre air to force fluid through the sytem and automatically tops up at the same time) many manufacturers use a similar sytem to bleed brakes as it can be done by one person and saves time (mercedes are one for example) Always do the longest run first then the next longest then the third then last the one nearest the master cylinder.

Answer 2

Topping Up Brake Fluid

Answer 3

In all likelyhood...
you shouldn't top up the fluid unless you first know WHY it is low. Either (a) you have a leak, or (b) your front and back pads are worn WAAAY down, and so the pistons in the calipers are pushed out, and that's where all the fluid is. If the second case is true, then you really just need to replace your pads, and push in the caliper pistons. Then all the fluid will come back up into the reservoir. If you just top it off, it will pour out when they push the pistons back in while they're replacing your pads.

If case (a) is true, then FIX IT OR GET IT FIXED!!! Hydraulic leaks are VERY VERY VERY bad. You could get killed (or kill someone else). A leak should be pretty easy to spot: It'll leave a puddle that smells kind of sweet and is greasy on your fingers, but washes off with water (in other words, "brake fluid". Sorry. Just thought I'd be wordy).

Follow up: The manual IS right, sort of: If the car is old and the fluid hasn't been changed in a while, you SHOULD occasionally drain the system. This requires opening the bleeder screws on all 4 calipers, closing them, then bleeding all the air out of the system from each caliper, and then the master cylinder. This IS a difficult job, and you shouldn't even attempt it if you have ABS (lots of other stuff you have to do, too).

Answer 4

You need to add fluid if it drops below the minimum level. Make sure the cap is clean before you open it. You don't want junk to fall inside of the brake fluid reservoir. Make sure that you are using a fresh, unopened bottle of the same DOT number of what the vehicle calls for. Some vehicles are DOT 3, some are 4, some are 5... Make sure you are using the right stuff. You don't want to mix up brake fluids. You want a fresh bottle because you don't want moisture from the air to work its way into the fluid and eventually into the brake system, so use a fresh bottle.

Go underneath the vehicle and follow the brake lines. Look for any brake fluid escaping the lines.
More likely than not, the fluid level is dropping because your brake pads are running low, so have somebody take a look at your pads and rotors (or drums and shoes) as soon as you get a chance. Don't wait too long because brakes are what keep you alive.

Answer 5

Of course you can top it off yourself. You will not harm your vehicle by adding brake fluid to the reseviour. Just buy any DOT 3 brake fluid and pour it in. If the brake fluid doesnt last there may be a leak somewhere between your resevour and calipers. Take it in for maintenace to be examined by a proffessional mechanic.

Answer 6

Yes, but do not get air bubbles in the reservoir when puring it in and be careful as brake fluid is very corrosive and will burn paint off if you spill it - it is safer to take it to a garage or if you are a member of a motoring service call them

Answer 7

Yes! Make sure you clean any dirt or grease before opening so no dirt can get in there. Also, you must know if you need synthetic or non synthetic brake fluid. Check the fluid regularly and make sure you don't have a leak somewhere...

Answer 8

Yes, but you have to use the same fluid in the system. If you don't know which kind or mark of hydraulic fluid was used, you have to take a professional support at your car's service.

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Answer 10

you can yourself, be careful not to contaminate the system. NO DIRT OR WATER in the master cylinder reservoir. the fluid had to go some where you should check for leaks at each tire, but more than likely its time for new brake shoes.