Keeping your vehicle’s braking system clean and well-maintained is one of the easiest ways to maintain its value. A brake fluid flush is a simple way to remove contaminants that may have entered your vehicle’s brake lines or by absorbing moisture from the air. If done correctly, a brake fluid flush can significantly improve braking performance while reducing wear on expensive parts like pads and rotors.
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Do You Need a Brake Fluid Flush?
If you are not sure whether you need to have your brake fluid flushed, here are 6 reasons it’s a good idea:
1. Moisture Buildup in the Brake Fluid Reservoir
Moisture is a big problem with brake fluid. When moisture gets into your brake fluid reservoir, it can cause some problems. For example, if there’s too much moisture in your brake fluid reservoir, you may get low pedal pressure. This means when you step on the brake pedal and press down on the brakes, it won’t feel like they’re working as well as normal.
This is because when moisture gets into your brake system, it can cause corrosion problems within your machinery. If this happens, your brakes won’t be able to do their job properly, and you’ll need to get them replaced or repaired.
2. Particles in the Brake Lines
As brake fluid travels through the lines, it picks up small particles from the lining and seals of your brake system. These particles act as grinding compounds that wear down your rotors and pads more quickly than normal. Some particles can even damage the pistons in your calipers, which requires more frequent replacement than usual. Regular flushing helps prevent this type of damage from occurring.
3. Brake Fluid Leaks
Another reason you should get your brake fluid flushed regularly is because of leaks in your system. Some people don’t even realize that they have a leak until they see signs of wear and tear inside their vehicle’s cabin. For example, if you notice water stains forming around the floorboards or underneath the pedals of your car, this could be an indicator that there’s a leak somewhere in your system that needs immediate attention.
4. Musty Odor
This is one of the most common reasons people flush their brake fluid. As the brake fluid absorbs moisture and gets contaminated with dirt and dust particles over time, it develops a musty odor that can be detected when you open up the cap of your master cylinder reservoir.
5. Reduced Brake Efficiency
When water mixes with your brake fluid, it reduces the efficiency of your brakes because it lowers the boiling point of the fluid. When this happens, you may notice that it takes longer for your brakes to engage when you press them down firmly on dry pavement. In addition, if water mixes with any other part of your car’s braking system such as calipers or pistons, it could render those parts useless altogether.
6. The Chance of Problems Increases the Longer You Wait
The longer you wait to flush your brake fluid, the more likely it is that you will experience problems with your brakes. If you have not flushed your brake system for several years, or if you live in an area where there is road salt or other chemicals in the air during the winter months, you should probably consider having your brake lines flushed regularly.
In Conclusion
Brakes are one of the most important systems on your car, and having them properly maintained can make a world of difference in terms of safety, performance, and overall longevity. A brake fluid flush is an important maintenance procedure that can prolong the life of your brakes, as well as improve their performance. You should have your vehicle’s brake fluid flushed at least once every two years or every 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.