Hello and welcome! My name is Fareed, and this blog is about car repair. I plan to write about smash repair, body work, painting and other aspects of the industry. I also hope to include a few posts that will help you assess whether or not something is wrong with your car. I have worked on my own car for years, and recently, I've been embraced as the neighbourhood mechanic -- all my friends come to me for help. I'm not a professional mechanic, but I feel confident sharing this info with you as I've been working on cars for years. I am happy you found my blog and hope that you enjoy reading!
Most car owners understand that they will need to replace the friction pads on their vehicle from time to time. These small parts will, after all, wear down every single time that they apply the brakes in an effort to slow down the discs and decelerate each wheel. Yet they may not realise that another part of the braking system requires attention from time to time and is equally as important as those pads. What is this and what do you need to be aware of as you pursue safe motoring?
Relying on the Fluid
When you put your foot on the brake pedal, the brake pads (on the other end) are automatically applied to the discs. The system relies on hydraulic brake fluid to make this happen, and because this solution is incompressible, an action at one end of the system will result in a similar action at the other.
Handle with Care
Yet, while this fluid is carefully engineered and is designed to work under pressure, it will naturally degrade over time. It must also be protected from exposure to the elements, and this is why manufacturers recommend that you should take great care when servicing the fluid.
Hygroscopic
Due to the nature of the solution, the fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it will absorb tiny particles of moisture from the air. This may be invisible to the naked eye but, over time, moisture infiltration like this could build up to such an extent that it severely limits the efficiency of the fluid.
Keeping Water out
Remember, the brake fluid will be subject to a great deal of heat when the pedal is applied, and the pads are pressed into service. It's not unusual for the temperature to reach extremes that are beyond the traditional boiling point for water, so you can understand why it is so important to keep that water out of the system.
Carefully Rated
Each individual can of brake fluid is designed for a certain application and it will typically have a "DOT" rating, which determines its ability to resist heat and moisture. You should always ensure that you replace the fluid with a product that is designed for your specific make and model and this information will be contained within the owner's manual.
Your Next Action
So, if it's been some time since you took your vehicle in for a service, now is the time to do so. The mechanic will be able to check and potentially change the brake fluid by flushing out the system so you are always protected.
To learn more about car servicing, contact a mechanic that offers car services in your area.
Share12 December 2019
