Why is the brake fluid decreasing?
2 Answers
The reasons for the decreasing brake fluid are: 1. Severe wear of the brake pads; 2. Leakage in the brake fluid pipeline. Brake fluid, also known as hydraulic brake fluid, is a functional liquid that transmits pressure in the vehicle's braking system, enabling the braking action of the wheel's braking system. The functions of brake fluid are: 1. Brake fluid has a very low freezing point, ensuring good fluidity in low-temperature conditions; 2. Brake fluid has an extremely high boiling point, preventing vapor lock in high-temperature conditions; 3. It does not cause corrosion to metals and rubber. The reasons for replacing brake fluid are: 1. Moisture or impurities from the air can enter through the vent hole of the fluid reservoir, lowering the boiling point of the brake fluid; 2. During prolonged braking, the brake pipelines are prone to vapor lock, leading to reduced braking force or brake failure.
Speaking of brake fluid level dropping, I've seen plenty of cases in this line of work. The most common cause is system leakage - either aging or cracked master cylinder seals, or loose connections at wheel cylinders. Another reason could be worn brake pads - the automatic adjuster compensates, causing fluid level to drop. It might also be an improperly tightened reservoir cap, or corroded brake lines developing holes. I remember a friend's Toyota once had rusted-through lines leaking fluid. Safety-wise, remember that low brake fluid means reduced stopping power, and in extreme cases complete brake failure. My advice: if you notice low fluid, immediately inspect lines and reservoir for leaks, checking inside wheel wells for oil stains. During routine maintenance, ask technicians to perform pressure tests for leaks. Make it a habit to glance at the reservoir level before driving - this simple check could save lives.
