How to Check the Fluid for a Hydraulic Clutch in Your Car

Cars with manual transmissions (stick shift) use either hydraulics (which uses fluid) or a cable to connect your clutch pedal to the transmission. If your car has a hydraulic clutch, the fluid must be checked monthly to ensure that it's full and there aren't any leaks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brake Fluids

1. 

   Determine whether your car has a hydraulic clutch.

2. Turn the engine off and open the hood.

3. Look for a small plastic container about 1 inch in diameter located close to the back of the engine, usually near the brake fluid reservoir. It looks a lot like the brake fluid reservoir but it's smaller. Imagine that the clutch pedal went straight through into the engine compartment: this is where you'll find the clutch master cylinder and clutch reservoir.

4. 

   Check the fluid level. The reservoir is usually clear with a small round rubber cap on the top; it should be filled to the top.

5. 

   Add brake fluid if it's low.

6. Replace the cap.

Tips & Warnings

• The hydraulic clutch uses brake fluid. There's no such thing as "clutch fluid" - you'll get laughed at if you go into an auto parts shop asking for it.
• Cars with a clutch cable do not use any fluid.
• A leak can often be seen at the reservoir/clutch master cylinder, at the other end of the clutch hydraulic line at the clutch slave cylinder, or inside the car behind the clutch pedal.
• Take care not to spill brake fluid on yourself or the car's paint - it's highly corrosive. Wash your hands and wipe any spills with a rag.
• If the clutch reservoir is consistently low you probably have a leak. The reservoir is very small so even a little leak can empty it out quickly. Without fluid, your clutch pedal is useless so you won't be able to shift, or to drive. See your mechanic if you suspect a leak.

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[jovenhatsjr]

on 12/7/2008 My clutch when i bleed it no fluid ever come out and the clutch fork never move a bit ,what seems to be the problem can anybody help me on this?

[jovenhatsjr]

on 12/7/2008 My clutch when i bleed it no fluid ever come out and the clutch fork never move a bit ,what seems to be the problem can anybody help me on this?

[bwolfhanley]

on 6/10/2008 Is there a stop-leak formula for clutch fluid leak? I need something temporary.
Ben

[denisbaldwin]

on 2/4/2007 I wish I woulda found this before I went and asked for "hydraulic clutch fluid." ;)

Either way, this is very helpful site and I thank you for maintaining it.

on 12/19/2005 My clutch pedal had no resistance/pressure when I stepped down on it. This disabled my car to shift into gears. I brought the car to a mechanic and they changed the clutch master cylinder. It worked fine for three days and then the problem resurrected. This site helped me see where the problem may potentially be as I found that the brake fluid was low. Thank you.