my brake light keeps coming on, especially when I go uphill, so I'm pretty sure my brake fluid is low. I'm going to check it this evening (when it's not been sitting out in the sweltering heat all day and I'm not going to have to touch a 1000 degree hood to get to it), if it's low, do I just add fluid or do I have to do other things also? (No, I'm not very mechanically inclined, obviously).
It's a 2004 PT Cruiser if that matters.
2007-09-09 03:31:12 · 8 answers · asked by LolaC☼ 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
USE DOT#3 brake fluid from a new sealed container. And remember as brake pads wear the fluid level drops I would if I were you have the front brake pads inspected and replaced if necessary and let the brake shop add fluid or change fluid if necessary. Especally if the PT has over 36,000 miles and no brake pads replaced in the past.
2007-09-09 03:40:31 · answer #1 · answered by John Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pt Cruisers seem to turn on the brake light on as soon as the wear on the pads start. Check the linings to be sure they are not too thin. If they are worn have them replaced by a competent mechanic or shop and he should deal with the fluid level. The reason the light is there is to worn driver that there is something going on with the brakes. Never just add fluid with out an inspection of brake system.
2007-09-09 11:55:08 · answer #2 · answered by TomB 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the brake fluid is low, then by all means add to the fill line. Make sure you use the a new, sealed bottle of the correct fluid specified by the owners manual (probably DOT3). And make sure you're adding the fluid to the right reservoir. If the fluid is low, have the brake system checked for leaks - that stuff is going somewhere, right?
And it might not even be low fluid that tripped that light. Sometimes cars have brake pad wear indicators that will trip the light when the pads are worn down to a certain point and need to be replaced.
2007-09-09 10:48:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are that the reason the light is coming on is because your brakes are almost worn out. As the brake pads wear, the caliper pistons move out to stay against the pad. Extra fluid is drawn in from the brake fluid reservoir causing the level to drop. If you know that the brakes are good because they have been replaced recently, then you must have a leak. I'd get that checked out asap. You can just add fluid but get it checked tomorrow>
2007-09-09 10:41:53 · answer #4 · answered by Ron B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can just add brake fluid. The front pads are probably getting thin and the fluid is displacing the pads. The next time that light comes on, you'll probably need front brake pads at least.
2007-09-09 11:02:09 · answer #5 · answered by spike 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can add he brake fluid but my guess would be it the brake wear sensor that is lighting up which means your brake
shoes are getting thin and need replacing.. if this is the case
there are brake shoe replacement specials all the time..i believe the specials run about 79.00 per axle its ok to wait for a while but once that brake light stays on get it done or you will wind up spending lots more if rotors or drums get messed up.. but lets hope you can just add some brake fluid..
good luck
2007-09-09 10:44:40 · answer #6 · answered by cliffie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check it first and if its low you need to check for leaks in the brake line the brake system is a closed system meaning that it will not need fluid unless you have a leak if you cant figure it out take it to a mechanic
2007-09-09 10:39:27 · answer #7 · answered by hill bill y 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just make sure you use the right kind of clean, fresh brake fluid... The information is printed on the cap of the master cylinder.
2007-09-09 10:37:30 · answer #8 · answered by JetDoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋