5 Signs You Have a Brake Fluid Leak
Arguably, there are few more important parts to your vehicle than your brakes, so you might be surprised to learn that your vehicle won’t always tell you if there’s a problem with your brake system.
This is especially true if your brake system has a leak. Even worse, a small leak can lead to a complete tire blowout with just one press of the pedal.
But how do you tell if your brake system has a leak and fix the problem? Here’s everything you need to know.
Symptoms of a brake fluid leak
The main symptoms of a brake fluid leak are:
>> Spongy brake pedal
>> No pressure on the brake pedal
>> Poor braking performance
>> Visible fluid leakage
>> Brake warning light
These are the most common signs, but they’re not all. Below is a more detailed list of signs of a brake fluid leak.
1. Spongy brake pedal
- If there’s air in the system, your brake pedal will feel spongy and soft.
- If you have a brake fluid leak, not only will you lose brake fluid every time you press the brakes, but you’ll also suck in air every time you release the pedal.
- If you notice any strange sensations when you press the brakes, don’t ignore it and expect it to go away. Find out what’s going on and make any necessary repairs right away.
2. No pressure on the brake pedal
You should feel something when you press on the brake pedal. If it sinks straight to the floor, you’ve got a problem. There could be a few reasons for this, but if it was working fine last time, you may have a large brake fluid leak.
Whatever you do, don’t drive the car. If you don’t feel any pressure when you step on the brake pedal, then your brakes aren’t working right now, meaning you can’t stop while driving.
3. Poor Braking Performance
If you have a brake fluid leak, this may be the first thing you notice. When you step on the brakes, you expect to stop after driving a certain distance. But if you have a leak in your braking system, you won’t reach maximum braking pressure and some of that pressure will escape through the leak. Additionally, air and moisture can get into the system, negatively impacting braking performance. All of this combines to create a dangerous situation where your vehicle can’t stop as expected.
4. Visible Leaks
If your car has a leak, that means it’s leaking somewhere, right? If your brake fluid is leaking, there’s a visible leak somewhere. The problem is that brake fluid leaks are very hard to find. The fluid itself is mostly clear, and there isn’t much brake fluid in the system.
This is different from an oil or coolant leak, and you’ll probably notice it just by looking under your car. You should usually check for brake fluid leaks, and if you find one, you’ve got a bigger problem that needs to be fixed right away.
5. Brake warning light
You might think that a brake fluid leak would turn on the brake warning light, but sadly, it doesn’t always work that way.
If the level in your brake fluid reservoir is too low, your brake warning light will come on. However, be aware that not all car models have this feature, and that if the leak is large, you’ll already have a problem before the fluid level drops. Even a small brake fluid leak can mean a big problem, so you can’t rely on the brake warning light alone to keep you safe. How to Diagnose a Brake Fluid Leak
The best way to diagnose a brake fluid leak is by visual inspection. Start with the container before checking any other components. Even if your brake fluid system is sealed, just because the fluid level in the reservoir drops doesn’t mean there’s a problem. As the brake caliper pistons expand, the overall level of brake fluid also drops.
However, this drop should happen gradually, so you should always have brake fluid on hand. For this reason, monitoring your brake fluid levels is one of the best ways to ensure your vehicle doesn’t have leaks. If you know how quickly your brake fluid is losing fluid, you’ll have a better idea of ​​what abnormal loss looks like.
The next best thing to do is perform a visual inspection of all your brake components. This means everything from the master cylinder to the calipers on each wheel. You might have to jack up your vehicle to trace all the brake lines, but it’ll be worth it. If your brakes have a leak, you will notice it right away. Check it when the car is dry and pump the brakes a few times before setting off.
Can I drive with a brake fluid leak?
No. You should never drive with brake fluid leaking, even if it is only a small amount. Brake fluid leakage can lead to a complete loss of the car’s braking function, which is threatening the life of not only the driver but also other road users. How to stop brake fluid leaking?To stop brake fluid leaking, you need to replace or repair the leaking parts. There are no anti-leak additives to use on brakes. To avoid accidents, all work on your car’s hydraulic brake system should be done by a professional.
Will brakes still work without fluid?
No. Without brake fluid, your brakes will not work. Brake fluid is essential for the operation of your brakes. It provides the necessary pressure to activate the brake pads and calipers, which in turn stops your car. If you don’t have any brake fluid in your system, your brakes will not be able to function properly.
Can you mix old and new brake fluid?
If you only fill up your brake fluid, it is perfectly fine to mix old and new brake fluid. It is definitely better to replace the brake fluid completely, but in many cases it is not necessary. Just make sure you use brake fluid with the correct specifications for your car.
