How many liters of brake fluid are needed for a change?
2 Answers
Brake fluid replacement typically requires only 1 liter. In reality, most vehicles use even less than this amount, but if the fluid is heavily contaminated, 2 liters may be needed. When the brake pedal is pressed, the master cylinder increases the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid, causing the pistons in the wheel cylinders at all four wheels to extend under the action of the sealing cups. This leverages the principle of hydraulics to apply force on the brake discs and pads, enabling the braking function. Here is more information about brake fluid: 1. Most people believe that brake fluid replacement is solely based on time and mileage. However, this is not the case. The replacement interval depends on the climate and humidity of the vehicle's location. In tropical regions, it should be changed annually or every 20,000 kilometers; in cold regions, every two years or 40,000 kilometers; and in temperate regions, every three years or 60,000 kilometers. 2. When replacing brake fluid, it's important to consider both the replacement cycle, which varies with different climatic conditions, and the selection of brake fluid. Always use the same grade of fluid, and avoid mixing different brands.
I can relate to this issue, as I just had my brake fluid changed at the repair shop last week. Most regular sedans require about 1 liter, but the exact amount depends on your vehicle model. For compact cars like my colleague's Corolla, 0.8-1 liter is usually sufficient; however, larger SUVs such as the Highlander may need up to 1.5 liters. The actual fluid replacement process is crucial—old fluid must be completely drained, air must be bled from all four wheels, and the technician should use a diagnostic tool to check the ABS pump pressure. I recommend preparing 1.5 liters of DOT4 fluid in advance, keeping the extra half liter for air bleeding, which is standard practice at repair shops.
