That means the pads and or shoes are worn, the hydraulic parts moved to get them closer and this process took years and miles or alot of stop and go traffic.
You need linings or pads and or shoes to put the level back where it was, then a system bleed for removing the moisture content.
If you just add it will make a mess when you do the brakes, so you would need a baster to draw it off and put it in a safe container.
always use new dot3 or what is specified.
Flush it every 2 years unless you have a wet climate.
If thats not the case, it could be leaking and you should look for a tire thats wet on the backside or a puddle underneath.
Dont drive it till thats fixed.
You should top it off. Wipe down the cap, and the top of the reservoir; the type of fluid required will be printed on the lid (e.g.: "DOT 3 brake fluid"). Buy some, and pour it in. As long as you haven't let it get so low that it's sucked air into the brake lines, that's all you have to do.
Monitor your brake fluid level. If you're losing brake fluid, something is wrong; something that could kill you.
Before adding more brake fluid, check your break pads.
If your pads are low, then the fluid is low because the calipers are pushed in, so the excess brake fluid is in the lines. You should put new pads on, and then re-fill it if needed.
In normal circumstances, you shouldn't be leaking brake fluid.
As the brake pads wear, the caliper pistons will not retract as far into the calipers. Fluid from the master cylinder will displace the volume of the worn brake pads.
as the brake pads wear ,the fluid in the master cylinder keeps going low ! take the lid off and fill it to the max and let someone check the brake pads out !
Read the specifications pages in your glove compartment manual to find out which *type of BRAKE fluid to buy before filling the master cylinder reservoir to the "MAX" line. That's all there is to it!
Most cars use Dot 3 Brake fluid. *Your car may use a different type of fluid. The dealer of your car will know which type of brake fluid the reservoir should have.
As the brake pads wear the pistons in the calipers move outward, lowering the level of the fluid in the reservoir.
I don't see it as one should top it off. As your pads wears down the caliper cylinder takes more volume thus the lower fluid level in the reservoir.
If the brake pads are not low then you need to check for leaks.
Yes it should be on MAX. Buy a small bottle of universal fluid and top it up. There are no special requirements to topping up. Just don't spill any on your paintwork as it will damage it badly.
when the level drops that far it's because the brake pads are too thin and the caliper pistons are out too far. It's time for a brake job. Keep riding like that and the caliper pistons will freeze up.
I looked under the hood of my car and noticed that the break fluid thing is on min I was wondering if I need it on max and if so, would I be able to just buy the fluid and fill it up or is it a complicated process? Thanks
it ought to be on max at all times. do top it up but keep eye on level as we may have a fluid leak..
