What Color Is Brake Fluid?

Brake fluid is vital to the operation of your vehicle’s brake system. Most Whitewater drivers know what brake fluid is, but not everyone knows what brake fluid looks like or what function it serves. What color is brake fluid? What does brake fluid look like? What should you look for when checking brake fluid levels?

New and fresh brake fluid should be completely clear with just a hint of yellow. Over time and after many thousands of miles, the color and viscosity (thickness) of brake fluid will change dramatically. When you see a brake fluid color that’s darker, you should schedule a service appointment with your friendly neighborhood technicians at Drive Burtness. Your brakes should work well because your vehicle might be unsafe if they don’t work correctly.

Why Does My Vehicle Need Brake Fluid?

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that keeps your vehicle’s braking system working smoothly. Hydraulic fluid works under pressure, and it becomes pressurized thanks to a series of pistons that activate once your foot hits the brake pedal.

Not only does your car’s brake fluid assist with the movement of brake system components but it also lubricates the entire system to help prevent corrosion. If the levels fall too low or the fluid becomes contaminated, the performance of your car and your safety are put at risk due to a faulty brake system. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep an eye on brake fluid color and levels periodically.

How Do I Check My Brake Fluid?

Orfordville drivers might think checking brake fluid is difficult because the brakes are against the wheels. However, checking your car’s brake fluid by yourself is just as simple as checking the oil. When you check the brake fluid regularly, you’ll be able to tell what’s normal brake fluid color and levels versus what’s not. That means you won’t be surprised by sudden malfunctions and costly repairs because you’re checking on the health of your brake fluid.

Here are the basic steps to check brake fluid color and levels at home:

1. Pop the hood.
2. Look for the master cylinder to find your brake fluid reservoir. If you need help, your vehicle owner’s manual or computerized driver information system will have everything that you need and show you where the master cylinder is.
3. Look at the minimum and maximum lines on your fluid reservoir.
4. Make sure that the fluid falls in between the minimum and maximum lines on the reservoir. If the brake fluid level is below the minimum, you need to top it off.
5. Look at the color. What color is the brake fluid you see? What does the brake fluid look like? If it’s dark or oily, it’s time for a brake fluid flush and replacement. If you see bits of floating metal or material in the brake fluid, it’s also time for completely new brake fluid.
6. Bring your vehicle to our service center to get a professional brake fluid flush and fill.

How Long Does Brake Fluid Last?

Typically, brake fluid lasts anywhere from two to three years and up to 45,000 miles. It depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and year. Again, look in your owner’s manual or driver information center for more details.

Schedule Brake Service With Drive Burtness

Brake service is not something you should put off because faulty brakes can cause a major safety issue if they malfunction. If you’re in the Janesville area, feel free to contact us or call to schedule an appointment to have your brakes serviced. We’re located in Orfordville and we’d be happy to take a look at your brakes.

Our team also handles tires, batteries, transmission service, oil changes, and just about any vehicle service you require. We’re happy to help in any way we can!