In addition, checking the brake fluid level periodically is recommended. After all, low brake fluid can impact the overall effectiveness of your braking power. See our page for more information on brake fluid top-offs. It is possible to change your own brake fluid, but a mechanic can do it quickly and more thoroughly in the shop with a brake-flushing machine.
If you do decide to do it yourself, make sure to use a high-quality brake fluid. This contamination can ultimately damage your entire brake system, so be careful.
If you take your car into the shop, the technician will first locate the brake fluid reservoir and remove all the old fluid before replacing it with new fluid. Then, to remove the old fluid from the brake valve, your car will need to be jacked up and all four wheels removed. To flush the fluid, tubing is connected to the brake valve on one end with the other end emptying into a container to collect the fluid. A second technician will pump the brakes and then hold down the brake pedal while the other technician cracks open the valve.
The old brake fluid should then empty into the container. Old brake fluid is a dark color, whereas new fluid has a yellow tint. The process is continued on all four brakes before the wheels are put back on the car. A road test can then be conducted to make sure the brakes are working optimally. Brakes are arguably the most important system on your car, next to the engine itself. Over time, the components of your brake system wear down. Regularly changing out your brake fluid can make your car safer, as well as extend the life of your brake components and save you money down the road.
Are they grinding or making other unusual sounds? Brake flushing involves removing all the brake fluid from the system and getting all-new, clean fluid inside. Brake bleeding just means removing enough brake fluid to get air bubbles out of the brake lines.
So, make sure you get your brakes flushed regularly. And, if you ever notice your car or truck has decreased stopping power, have it inspected by a certified mechanic right away -- even if you're not planning a drive in the mountains. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Brake Tests. Is brake flushing really necessary?
Image Gallery: Brakes A good rule of thumb is to have your brakes flushed about every 30, miles 48, kilometers or so. See more pictures of brakes. Brake Flushing What is a brake flush? This is the process where old fluid is flushed out of the brake system and replaced with clean, fresh fluid.
How much should I expect to pay to flush brake fluid? Is that legitimate car maintenance? Why would I need to change the brake fluid? Answer: Yes, flushing or changing the brake fluid is legitimate preventive maintenance for your car. This is often touted as the main reason to change your brake fluid. Because many parts of your braking system are made of metal, flushing the brake fluid can prevent corrosion and failure of those metal components.
This reduces your braking performance, which you might not notice for awhile, but every inch counts when it comes to braking. In extreme cases, it can lead to the brakes not working at all.
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