We often don’t think about brake fluid until something goes wrong. But your brake fluid works hard every day to keep you safe while you’re driving. Over time, it can burn out, run out, or get dirty, which will stop the brakes from working right. Keep an eye out for these 5 signs that it’s time to flush your brake fluid.
The brake pedal is soft, bouncy, or spongy
Does your brake pedal feel soft, spongy, loose, or even bouncy when you press on it? Do you have to push the brake pedal all the way down for the car to slow down and stop? This is a sign that you need to change the brake fluid.
If you don’t have enough brake fluid, air will fill the gaps in your brake lines. This will make your brakes feel soft. Squishy brake pedals can be scary and dangerous, especially if you don’t get them fixed as soon as you notice something is wrong.
ABS Dashboard Light
The ABS light on your dashboard means that something is wrong with your anti-lock brakes. This system keeps your wheels from locking up when you brake. This keeps your car from skidding and keeps its grip on the road. When your brake fluid is low, the ABS system will turn on by itself to help your car stop safely.
Poor Braking Performance
In case of an emergency, your brakes should be quick and easy to use. If you have trouble slowing down or stopping your car, it’s a sign that your brakes need to be fixed. Such problems could mean you need to change your brake fluid.
Warped rotors, worn brake pads, or a problem with another part of the brake system could also be to blame. A problem like worn-out tires, shocks, or struts could also cause the brakes to not work well. A professional can look at your brakes and tell you what needs to be done to get them working again.
Strange Sounds or Smells When Braking
If you hear strange sounds when you brake, it could be because your brake fluid is low or because something else is wrong with your brake system. Sounds like scraping or grinding are common.
If you hit the brakes hard and smell something burning, it could mean that your brake fluid has gone bad. In this situation, you should pull over to a safe spot and let your car cool down. You should also talk to a local mechanic to get advice and set up a time for service. Driving with burned brake fluid could cause bigger problems, like the brakes not working at all.
Regular maintenance for brake fluid flushes
If nothing else works, you can always follow the maintenance schedule to change your brake fluid. On average, you will need to flush your brake fluid every two years or every 30,000 miles.
How you drive has a big effect on how often you need to do routine maintenance. For example, if you drive short distances and stop often, you may need to flush your brake fluid more often. You can look in your car’s owner’s manual for any information about brake fluid that is specific to your car.
