Q: Brakes barely work and I have to add brake fluid every morning.

asked by on December 29, 2015

I have to push the brake pedal all of the way to the floor to stop. I put brake fluid in this morning, but want to get the problem checked. What's wrong with my car?

I would definitely have a technician from YourMechanic come and do a full brake safety inspection. There is brake fluid leaking somewhere if the pedal goes to the floor. If you look around the car you should see fluid leaking somewhere around the wheels or under the hood. You could have a bad caliper that is leaking fluid.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Heater stopped working while weather is very cold
Your vehicle has automatic temperature control between the drivers side and the passenger side through use of an infrared sensor that measures the temperature of drivers and passenger seat area and adjusts the output air temperature to maintain and keep...
How do I shuffle a CD?
When your CD is in shuffle mode, then it will play the songs in random order. To turn on shuffle mode, press the Random/Repeat button until Disc Random is displayed. If you are listening to an MP3 or WMA disc,...
Coolant leaking from reservoir
Hello. It sounds like when the radiator neck broke off, the engine got overheated. It is common on most modern cars that have aluminum cylinder heads the head gasket will fail soon after overheating. If your head gaskets have failed,...
Engine & turbo stutter at 60mph
If you are having an issue with the engine sputtering at highway speeds, it may be related to your fuel system. I would recommend having your fuel system checked by a qualified professional due to the fact that gasoline is...
Rough idle and sputtering at times.
Engine misfires can be caused by many different problems, but there are a few suspects that occur more than others. Generally, misfires are caused by either a spark or fuel issue or in cases, a combination of both. Spark related...
I have a check engine light and a trac off light on and the cruis control does not work
The dealer will not try and do any repairs unless they can verify and duplicate the problem. If they cleared the codes and then cannot verify the problem and light coming back on then they are not going to do...
Noise in front end when turning left
Any movable suspension component could account for the noise including the strut assembly, strut mount including bearing, ball joint(s), tie rod ends, sway bar links and sway bar frame mounts, control arm bushings and possibly loose brake components. If the...
How much is a shift linkage replacement
Hi there. It really depends on whether the pin itself is damaged or if the shift linkage or shift cable is damaged. If it's a minor repair, budget $200 to $350 for most local shops. If it's replacing the shift...

Related articles

What Is Engine Braking?
Drivers can use engine braking to slow the speed of their engine and vehicle. Engine decompression helps your brakes last longer and car stop sooner.
How to Buy a Good Quality Brake Master Cylinder
The The master cylinder acts as the brake fluid reservoir on your vehicle. It’s necessary that this part be in good repair in order for the brake system to work properly – that means seals intact, pistons functioning optimally, and...
How to Respond When Your Brake Warning Light Is On
Safe operation of your car relies heavily on your brakes working properly every time you need them. When you experience a Brake...