Brake fluid is the liquid in the reservoir of your car's brake system. you can check how much brake fluid there is by pulling up on the fluid level adjustment knob, stop levels if it appears to be low, and follow these steps in order to add more brake fluid:
can you just add brake fluid to your car?
no. brake fluid is a toxic substance that can't be ingested, with no taste or smell to make it easier to identify. attempting to drink brake fluid for example would lead to seizures, coma or death within 2 hours.
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how do you put brake fluid in a car?
please consult the owner's manual for your make, model, and year vehicle. the most common method would be unscrewing the cap of the master cylinder reservoir to expose its opening, inserting a funnel into that opening, then tipping out about one quart of fluid with a long-necked bottle. this is enough brake fluid for most vehicles with average use. you can always come back for more if you need it for any reason in future sessions.
it's important to not try do this yourself without first consulting the owner's manual! improper amounts of brake fluids have led to diminished braking performance or even breakdowns in certain models under specific conditions – so best to check first unless you know exactly what you're doing!
do you pump brakes after adding brake fluid?
yes, always pump the brakes a few times to make sure they work before you start driving. if you live in a place where it doesn't get very cold in the winter but does get really cold in the summer, then let your car sit for at least 5 minutes with the brake applied before you drive off – this will help to prevent “hydraulic lock” which happens when all of the fluid boils while you're stopped.
pumping while stopped also forces any air bubbles up so that they will not interfere with stopping power when it's time to hit a pedal.
if a brake warning light comes on or if your brakes feel spongy or stiffer than normal after adding fluids, tell us right away
what happens if your car runs out of brake fluid?
you have to worry about your car's brakes seizing up. as the weight on the brake pedal is pushed it has no effect, meaning that you can't use them at all.
this would mean that there is nothing in contact with the brake rotors, so they are free to spin which will send your car bolting ahead or continue coasting down a hill if you are driving one on a flat surface. the only way to stop it without breaking something would be by pulling off of the road and getting out before applying some force to step hard on the tire. this puts pressure onto the brakes making them create friction and slow your car down safely (everyhthing else may break but not including breaks). it should be noted though
