How to Check Clutch Fluid Level

While there's no such thing as special "clutch fluid," hydraulic clutches use brake fluid instead. It's a good idea to check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir regularly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Extra Brake Fluids
• Heavy-duty gloves

1. Turn the engine off before opening the hood.

2. Find the clutch fluid reservoir. It's usually close to the back of the engine, near the brake fluid reservoir.

3. Take off the cap.

4. Check the fluid level. If it is not filled to the top, you will need to add brake fluid. (See "How to Add Brake Fluid to the Clutch Master Cylinder" under Related eHows.)

5. Replace the cap tightly.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you start looking for the clutch reservoir, make sure your car has a hydraulic clutch in the first place. Cars with cable clutches do not use fluid.
• Be careful when working with brake fluid. It's very corrosive. Don't let it go on the car's paint or any part of your body.
• If you keep finding a low clutch fluid level, you might have a leak, which can render your clutch pedal useless. See your mechanic to have this problem fixed.

[javiercruzcolon]

on 5/31/2009 I need to know how to drain the air out the clutch line, my clutch has not straing just lose and I can't put the car in gear the recevoi was empty before and my wife add hydrolic fluid, and some air went in the lines. I need to know how to drain it.

[kenl123]

on 1/26/2009 I used to own a 1966 Volvo with a Girling hydraulic clutch.

The dealer warned me to use only Girling brand fluid in the clutch reservoir, because Girling used a different type of seals. As I recall, Girling fluid was made from castor oil.

Don't know if that's still true.

[DaddyOmoxx]

on 11/5/2008 Thank you all so much. I talked to my shade tree mechanics and none of them mentioned clutch fluid. Most cars i have ever had have been cable clutches. I didnt even know that my truck had a hydraulic clutch. I hope its not too late. Thanks again. -Anthony P.

[kiratrever]

on 10/5/2008 Hmm, I love to learn new stuff about my old car on this site...5 stars

on 11/22/2005 As the one of the other tips states, hydraulic clutch arrangements use clutch fluid, which is often the same as brake fluid, and in my experience (Austin Metro, and Vauxhall Vectra), it comes from the brake fluid reservoir.

Liquids are incompressible - that's how hydraulics work. Thinner liquid is no more compressible than thick liquid. A thicker/more viscous liquid offers more resistance to flow (friction) than a thinner/less viscous liquid.