The braking system is an integral function in all vehicles. Brakes are a primary safety mechanism that allows you to stop or slow down your car.
But how does this system work? When you step on the brake pedal , this force is transmitted to your brakes via a hydraulic fluid commonly known as brake fluid. For your car to stop or slow down, your brakes require a much greater force than you can apply with your foot. When you step on your brake pedal, the pistons inside the brake calipers compress and squeeze on the rotors hence slowing down your car. However, it’s important to note that your brakes rely on brake lines filled with brake fluid to divert this force to the front and rear of your car.
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There are different types of brake fluid, but they all share some common qualities that allow them to function optimally in automotive applications. Good brake fluid must have a high boiling point, be incompressible, non-corrosive, and maintain a constant level of viscosity.
Brake fluid operates in a sealed system. However, it’s hygroscopic and can absorb moisture when air penetrates through hoses and other parts of the braking system. If your brake fluid absorbs moisture or becomes contaminated, it compromises the effectiveness of your braking system. Water in brake lines reduces the boiling point of brake fluid hence diminishing braking ability. Moisture also corrodes the master cylinder, brake lines, calipers, and other components.
For a well-performing braking system, your brake fluid should maintain constant viscosity under a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. Viscosity pertains to the thickness of brake fluid or resistance to flow. This is especially important in vehicles with ABS systems, stability, and traction control. If your brake fluid has the wrong viscosity, it can compromise the performance of your braking system.
Braking fluid should remain non-compressible even under varying temperatures to accommodate different weather conditions. This is critical in ensuring you experience a regular brake pedal feel. Whether you’ve been driving all day, or have just started your car your brake pedal should always have a consistent feel. If brake fluid compressibility increases, more brake pedal travel is inevitable to exert the same amount of force, and your pedal will definitely feel different.
Replacing or flushing your brake fluid will cost you much less compared to undertaking brake repair due to corroded and worn out brake system components. So clearly, there’s lots of value in scheduling regular brake system maintenance.
Remember, every vehicle has different maintenance needs. Brake fluid is integral to the performance and safety of your vehicle. Therefore, you should refer to your owner’s manual to know how often your car should get a brake fluid change. If you’re unsure of how often you should change your brake fluid , you should never hesitate to consult our professionals at AAMCO, Utah.
Unfortunately, you may not be able to determine the state of your brake fluid by simply looking at it. However, you can look out for signs such as a soft, spongy, or firm brake pedal.Brake fluid is essential to the safe operation of your vehicle. It’s therefore critical that you have your fluid regularly inspected by a certified professional. They will be able to examine the level of your brake fluid, moisture content, viscosity, presence of contaminants, and if there’s any leak.At AAMCO Utah , we know that brake fluid is an integral part of your regular car maintenance routine to guarantee your safety and that of your passengers.
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