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Understanding Brake Fluid 101

September 29, 2017

Despite being one of the most important components of a car’s braking system, brake fluid is
often neglected, and many drivers are unsure how to check their car’s fluid, let alone replace
it. Some motorists might find brake-related maintenance a little intimidating, but with a basic
knowledge of what brake fluid is, how it works and how to maintain it, you can make sure
your car’s braking system is always operating at peak performance.

Here, we provide a complete, no-nonsense guide to brake fluid, including what it does and
how often you should service it.

What is Brake Fluid?

Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid, meaning that it’s responsible for moving component
parts within a system. When the brake pedal is pressed, the compressive effect builds
pressure in the brake system, forcing the fluid to press down on the brake rotors, squeezing
the brake pads to bring the car to a stop.

Because of the high-stress, high-friction nature of braking, brake fluid must operate perfectly
at high pressures and temperatures. This makes it vital that brake fluid is regularly checked
and maintained, ensuring good braking performance in any condition.
What Affects Brake Fluid Performance?
One of the biggest things which can inhibit the performance of a car’s brake fluid is moisture.
As brake fluid ages it can absorb small amounts of moisture from its surroundings, including
the air – this is called hygroscopic. If brake fluid becomes too full of moisture, problems can
arise when the fluid becomes hot under braking, with the moisture turning to vapour inside
the brake lines. This leads to a soft, spongy brake pedal feel, and will stop your car braking
as well as it should.

You should change the brake fluid at least once every two years to keep your brakes
working properly. You should also take care when you’re checking or changing the brake
fluid, to ensure the fluid doesn’t come into contact with excessive air and moisture.

What do Brake Fluid DOT Ratings Mean?

All forms of brake fluid are given a DOT rating. DOT simply stands for Department of
Transport, which sets the safety regulations for the acceptable performance of different
brake fluids. The DOT ratings given to brake fluids are based on the liquid’s dry and wet
boiling points. As a rule of thumb, the higher the boiling point, the longer the lifespan of the
brake fluid.

The table below shows the characteristics of DOT brake fluids:

 

Dry Boiling Wet Boiling

 DOT
Point Point

DOT 2 190°C 140°C

DOT 3 205°C 140°C

DOT 4 230°C 155°C

DOT 5 260°C 180°C

DOT 5.1 270°C 180°C

*Source

While it’s better to use brake fluid with a higher DOT rating, you should always refer to your
car’s manual, as some brake fluids are incompatible with different brake lines and systems.
Your manual will let you know which type of brake fluid to use.

Can I Mix Different Brake Fluids?

One of the requirements of the DOT system is cross-compatibility, so brake fluid
manufacturers must ensure their fluids won’t inhibit braking performance if they’re mixed with
other products in a car’s braking system. This means that mixing different types of brake fluid
won’t have any harmful effects. However, it’s always best to use the same type of brake fluid
to guarantee optimum braking performance.
How Often Should I Change My Brake Fluid?
Mechanics would recommend servicing your brake fluid every one to two years, to keep
your brakes in good working order. Over time, the brake fluid will naturally absorb some
moisture, so having them checked and serviced regularly will give you peace of mind that
you won’t experience vapour in the brake lines. Every vehicle has different maintenance
needs, however, so you may need to service the brake fluid more or less frequently
depending on your annual mileage. Refer to your vehicle’s manual for an advised service
schedule.

How Can I Top Up My Car’s Brake Fluid?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to topping up your car’s brake fluid reservoir:

1. Locate the brake fluid reservoir – This is mounted on the brake booster against the
bulkhead; it is normally an opaque white plastic container.
2. Check the brake fluid level – Like the coolant/antifreeze reservoir, the brake fluid bottle
has markings to help you check the level. These are usually in the form of a gauge, with
‘max’ or ‘full’ at the top and ‘min’ or ‘low’ at the bottom.

3. Top up the brake fluid – Add brake fluid until the level reaches the ‘max’ or ‘full’ marker.
Never overfill, as this will put the system under unnecessary pressure. If you think there
could be a problem with the braking system, remember to monitor the brake fluid level at
regular intervals, and refer to a mechanic if you’re in any doubt.
At Prestone, our DOT 4 Brake Fluid is formulated to excel in extreme temperatures, offering a
dry boiling point of 260°C and a wet boiling point of 150°C. Guaranteed for use in all braking
systems, it provides complete corrosion protection, and reduces fluid vaporisation. For more
information, visit the Prestone homepage.

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