How to Check a Car's Brake Fluid

Properly maintaining your car's fluid levels is important to the performance and safety of your car. Your brake fluid level should be checked whenever you are performing service under the hood of your car. You also should immediately check your brake fluid level if the brake system warning light on your dashboard indicates a system failure.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Funnel

1. Park the car and turn the engine off.

2. Open the hood of your car and secure it with the prop rod.

3. Locate your brake master cylinder. Consult your vehicle owner's manual if you can not locate your master cylinder.

4. Check the level of brake fluid in the cylinders reservoir. If your car's cylinder is plastic, you can see the brake fluid level from the outside. If the cylinder is metal, remove the top to check the fluid level. Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing the cap so that no dirt or debris falls into the brake fluid.

5. Using a funnel, add brake fluid to the reservoir if the level falls below the minimum indicator. Fill the brake fluid level to within 1/4 inch of the top of the reservoir.

6. Put the cover back on the brake fluid cylinder.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use brake fluid that has not been stored in a tightly closed container. If moisture or foreign materials get mixed with the brake fluid this could cause damage to your car's brakes.
• A low level of brake fluid could be an indication of a leak. If you suspect you might have a leak, you should have a mechanic look at the car.
• It is important to use only approved type brake fluid for your particular vehicle, this will be either DOT 3 or DOT 4. Refer to your vehicle owner's manual to determine which type you need to use.