Brake Brake fluid, also known as hydraulic fluid, is responsible for moving the various components of your vehicle’s braking system. The fluid operates under high temperatures and high pressure and, without it, your car or truck would not be able...
Car warning lights tell you something in your car needs attention. If you see the Check Engine Light or other warnings, get it inspected right away.
Related questions
Spongy brake
Cars equipped with ABS often require remote actuation of the ABS system, using a bi-directional scan tool, in order to expel the trapped air in the valving and cylinders. That air may be the cause of the difficulty you are...
Leaking brake fluid
Hi there. A brake fluid leak can cause some serious problems. If it is leaking and getting the wheel wet, then most of the time the problem is the caliper. It can also be the rubber hose going to the...
How do you check the brake and clutch fluid?
Without fluid, your Brake system won’t work (or won’t work properly). That’s a serious safety concern. If your car is equipped with a manual transmission, the clutch fluid is supplied from the brake fluid reservoir. It’s important to keep an...
How do I check the brake fluid?
Your car’s brakes are the most important safety system onboard. They’re hydraulic, which means they require fluid in order to operate. When you press the brake pedal, fluid is sent from the master cylinder through the brake lines to the...
Brakes not working properly.
This can be caused from several different failed parts. First off the loss of fluid is a major leak in the system and an inspection would be needed to locate the leaking part (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-fluid-is-leaking-inspection). I have seen rusted lines causing...
Brakes locked after the car is parked for a while
Hello. If the brakes are locking up as the vehicle sits, then you typically either have an issue with the drum brake shoes catching on the backing plate or if all four of the brakes are locking up then you...
Brake pedal going to floor.
I strongly recommend this car not be driven before this problem is addressed as a safety concern. If the pedal goes down to the floor it means one of two things, either air has become trapped in the sealed system...
Brake pedal goes all the way to the floor
If you have not lost any fluid in the master cylinder and the pedal goes to the floor, then your master cylinder must be bypassing fluid and not creating pressure. In order to have a mechanic diagnose it properly, they...
Brake fluid leaking
If the vehicle is leaking brake fluid, I would stop driving it, and have it serviced as soon as possible as your braking system is essential to road safety. Braking systems operate using hydraulic pressure, so any leaks are a...
Bleeding brakes
If you are able to keep the master cylinder full and thus no air can be drawn toward the ABS pump and valving during brake bleeding, you can often get away without using a bi-directional scan tool to remotely actuate...
No brake pressure.
Hi, no pressure on your brake pedal usually means one of two things. If you have had any work done on your brakes, it is possible that there is some air in your hydraulic lines. The air simply has to...
I have a brake fluid leak.
The leaking brake fluid may be coming from the rear wheel cylinder leaking fluid. Replacing the rear brake shoes, drums, and both rear wheel brake cylinders with springs and hardware should be done. This is the most common repair needed...
How do you check the brake and clutch fluid?
Keeping an eye on the clutch and brake fluid in your car isn’t hard to do. It is important, though. Both of these systems are hydraulic, and low fluid can lead to low pressure and reduced operation. Here’s how to...
Fuel pump problem
It could be a fuel pump, or a fuel pump relay issue. The fuel pumps are problematic on these Ram Diesels, and will quit with no warning. There are many aftermarket pumps that are more durable than the stock Dodge...
Brakes locked up
When the rotors get this hot, this is usually an indication that the brake pads (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement) are dragging on the rotors. This can happen when the brake calipers (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-caliper-replacement) are misaligned on the rotors. This problem is often compounded when,...
Brake pedal is hard to push
Hi there, thanks for writing in. I'd be happy to provide my insight. There is a possibility that they may have overfilled the brake reservoir with brake fluid. Start by checking that it has the proper amount. Secondly, it is...
Brake pedal going all the way to the floor.
The pedal going down to the floor usually indicates a loss of hydraulic pressure. Possible causes include a leaking brake hose, a dysfunctional caliper, or a wheel cylinder. Also a master cylinder leaking either externally or internally will cause the...
Brake fluid leaking
Hi there. There are two copper crush washers, one on each side of the banjo fitting (the "banjo" is the segment of the brake hose that the bolt is put through). The reason it is leaking is you appear to...
Brake fluid leak
It sounds like you may have a bad wheel cylinder. Unfortunately, wheel cylinders on drum brakes have rubber seals that will deteriorate over time and will not seal and will leak. I would recommend having a technician come out and...
How often should I change brake fluid?
You should replace the fluid every time you do a brake job or every 3 years. The only time to get it done when not scheduled is if it get contaminated with wrong fluids.
