How Does
How Does Brake Fluid Work?
Brake Fluid Circulates and is Pressurized
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Automotive brake fluid supplies the force necessary to activate the stopping mechanisms of a car's brake system. Brake fluid, which circulates through a series of metal lines and tubes, is pressurized by the brake booster each time the brake pedal is pushed.
Brake Fluid Makes Stopping Possible
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Brake shoes supply the necessary friction to stop a car's wheels from spinning. Brake fluid under pressure is what supplies the force necessary to squeeze the brake shoes against the rotating insides of a car's tires. A mechanical braking system in contrast, as used on bicycles, uses cables to squeeze the brake shoes against the tires; hydraulic braking systems use brake fluid to operate the brake shoes.
Brake Fluid Storage
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When a car is not running or when the brake system is not being utilized, brake fluid resides in a special rectangular compartment located in the engine compartment called the master cylinder. The master cylinder has a series of metal tubes attached to it that serve as an entry and exit point for circulating brake fluid.
eHow Article: How Does Brake Fluid Work?
