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If you had to look at and then rank all the fluids found in your vehicle, brake fluid would probably be at the bottom end of the scale. This is not a good practice as its one of the most important fluids involved in the successful operating of your vehicle. They say that the fluid is to your brakes what oil is to your engine. By drawing that comparison, one can understand the importance of it.
It is created to function in a hydraulic brake system. The fluid is made up of mostly different types of glycol. As it ages, it absorbs moisture, which in turn lowers its boiling rate and then raises its freezing point and causes increased corrosion of the braking system. A lot of experts agree that brake fluid should be changed as often as every car service that takes place. The minority side will suggest you change the fluid every two years or so depending on the mileage you rack up.
If you had to look at your vehicles fluid in your car and notice that it is dirty or has a rust look to it then I would suggest you change it soon as new fluid looks pretty clear to a light brownish colour. Perhaps you have been driving a bit around town and every time you pushed your foot down on the brake pedal it feels rather soft, this could be a sign that your fluid needs changing.
While most DIY mechanic guides suggest you do things on your own, when it comes to changing brake fluid it might be best to leave it the experts in the field. One of the reasons why is due to the complexity of its working in the braking system. You need to ensure that the old fluid has completely drained, and then you need to replace it with the correct one for your specific motor vehicle type and model. The fluid is extremely toxic and combustible, in saying this it needs to be handled and disposed of in the correct manner. A well trained and seasoned mechanic will know all the do's and don'ts when it comes to this.
For me, it is very important to note that vehicle manufacturers do extensive testing and there is a science behind everything they note in the manufacturers guide. If you were to be on the safe side of things, then following their recommended practices in there would be highly suggestive. As each manual is tailormade for your vehicle they will give you specifics that need to be followed and adhered to. To draw it to an analogy, think of it this way, if you were feeling sick and not sure if it was a cold, flu or even a 24-hour bug, then you wouldn't go straight to the chemist asking for Paracetamol, you would need to go to a doctor first to diagnose the illness and provide you with the correct medication.
The Importance of Brake Fluid
The brakes function in part as a hydraulic system so the condition of the brake fluid heavily influences how they work. The fluid is what removes you from the equation of having to exert heavy force when stopping, and instead it allows you to be able to stop a moving car with a just a little pressure with your foot.
As part of our brake maintenance services, upon your arrival at Astro Brake & Clutch, we inspect your brake discs and pads to determine the extent of any wear and tear. The brake discs are checked for their minimum specification and smooth, even surface. The brake pads need to have a specific amount of space between them and the disc. This spacing increases over time as the pads become worn. Once we have checked the brake pads and discs we then proceed with the repairs or maintenance services. Also, provide brake booster repair services.
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