how to know if brake fluids need replacing?
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Driver
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 67
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From: CA
how to know if brake fluids need replacing?
Hi. I have an is250 2015. it has 50,000 miles and i bought it at 44,000 miles.
the brake pads are fine and are quiet, but the brake fluid notification came on recently.
I was hoping to just do both at the same time down the road. How would I know if the brake fluid needs to be replaced?
My brake pedal feels a little bit mushy when the car is at a complete stop. When I press on the brake, is it supposed to be hard right away? Or is it a little bit soft and then hard?
and how far down am I supposed to be able to press?
the brake pads are fine and are quiet, but the brake fluid notification came on recently.
I was hoping to just do both at the same time down the road. How would I know if the brake fluid needs to be replaced?
My brake pedal feels a little bit mushy when the car is at a complete stop. When I press on the brake, is it supposed to be hard right away? Or is it a little bit soft and then hard?
and how far down am I supposed to be able to press?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 29
Likes: 4
From: AL
It's hard to imagine a ~3 year old street car that needs new brake fluid. Track cars abuse the fluid and it needs to be replaced regularly (like nearly every race).
Did you physically inspect your pads to check how much wear, or are you assuming they are good based on pedal feel and the sound they make??
Did you check your fluid level? If low, either you have a leak or your pads are worn down.
Regarding pedal feel: It just depends. A subjective "feels a little soft" is not enough to make a diagnosis.
Did you physically inspect your pads to check how much wear, or are you assuming they are good based on pedal feel and the sound they make??
Did you check your fluid level? If low, either you have a leak or your pads are worn down.
Regarding pedal feel: It just depends. A subjective "feels a little soft" is not enough to make a diagnosis.
is the notification to replace the fluid? - its not a bad idea to replace it every few years - i personally have down it every time i swap out my brakes just because i have access to bleed to brakes anyway.
or because it is at a low level? - if its low level, you can top it off. but the question is why did the level get low..
or because it is at a low level? - if its low level, you can top it off. but the question is why did the level get low..
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,306
Likes: 1,230
From: IL
Get a pack of Brake Fluid test strips at an Auto Parts store. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, absorbs moisture
from the air. Back before ABS systems all the brake lines were relatively large and a bit of rust or even
ice from water in the fluid didn't affect much. Now the ABS systems have much smaller passages and
the slightest bit of corrosion mucks up the works. You should not remove the top of the master cylinder
to check the fluid level, the reservoir is translucent plastic for that reason, rock the car and watch for the
level to move.
OP, the light is very likely just the level, goes down as the pads wear. Check the pad thickness and you
will probably see they are getting a bit thin. Add a bit of fresh and properly designated fluid until you can
replace them.
from the air. Back before ABS systems all the brake lines were relatively large and a bit of rust or even
ice from water in the fluid didn't affect much. Now the ABS systems have much smaller passages and
the slightest bit of corrosion mucks up the works. You should not remove the top of the master cylinder
to check the fluid level, the reservoir is translucent plastic for that reason, rock the car and watch for the
level to move.
OP, the light is very likely just the level, goes down as the pads wear. Check the pad thickness and you
will probably see they are getting a bit thin. Add a bit of fresh and properly designated fluid until you can
replace them.
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