Many car components require fluids to operate correctly, from fuel to engine oil and wiper fluid. Although most drivers don’t often think about it, brake fluid is one of the most important fluids in your car. If your vehicle does not have enough brake fluid, it may no longer be able to slow or stop it in time, making it unsafe to drive.
If you’ve noticed yellowish or brownish spots under your vehicle or where your car is usually parked, it could be a sign your car is leaking brake fluid. Knowing how your car’s braking system works will help you determine how leaks develop and when to schedule a brake service.
How Your Car’s Braking System Works
A vehicle’s braking system is a complex collection of parts. When properly maintained and functioning correctly, your car’s brakes are its primary safety device. They allow you to slow or stop your car, avoid obstacles and dangers, and keep control of your speed.
Modern car braking systems include a brake pedal, brake booster, master cylinder, fluid reservoir, lines, discs, pads, and calipers. The reservoir and lines are filled with brake fluid. Here’s how these parts work when you brake during a typical driving situation:
- Brake pedal to brake booster. When you press the brake pedal, the force is transmitted to the brake booster. The brake booster increases this force and channels it through the rest of the braking system.
- Conversion of mechanical force into hydraulic force. The force you apply on the brake pedal is amplified by the brake booster and sent to the brake master cylinder. It contains a piston that compresses the fluid in the reservoir and lines. It converts the mechanical force from pressing the pedal into hydraulic force.
- Generation of brake pressure. As the brake fluid is pushed into the lines, it generates pressure. The lines go to each car wheel, where your brake discs, pads, and calipers are located.
- Activation of brake calipers. When the pressurized brake fluid reaches your calipers, it forces the pistons inside each caliper to move. When they do, the brake pads push against the discs, slowing each wheel down to make your car decelerate.
- Friction and deceleration. The more pressure on the brake pedal, the more it is amplified by the booster. The more pressure the master cylinder generates, the harder the brake pads press into the brake discs, resulting in more braking force.
Usually, when applying high friction, brakes can cause the wheels to lock up, preventing you from turning the vehicle and reacting to obstacles. However, virtually all modern cars also feature electronic systems called Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), which monitor wheel speed and brake pressure.
Your car’s ABS automatically regulates braking pressure to prevent wheel lock, ensuring you maintain some control even when pushing the brake pedal down to the floor.
Signs Your Car is Leaking Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is critical to the proper function of the car’s braking system. If you have a brake fluid leak, your master cylinder may not generate enough pressure to engage the brake calipers and push the pads into your discs. Your braking distances will increase, and you risk colliding with an object, overshooting stop signs, or failing to avoid dangers in time.
Recognizing the potential signs your car is leaking brake fluid can help you address the issue and schedule a brake service before your vehicle becomes unsafe to drive. Here’s what to look for:
- Yellowish or brownish puddles. The most common sign of a brake fluid leak is puddles at your typical parking location. Brake fluid is usually yellowish-amber but can turn brown with age. If the puddle has one of these colors and is located roughly under where your wheels or engine bay would be, it is very likely a brake fluid leak.
- Brake warning light. If the fluid levels are too low, a dedicated warning light for brake issues may light up on your dashboard. The brake warning light is red and recognizable by the exclamation point in a circle, surrounded by two semi-circles. On some models, the brake warning light has the word “BRAKE” in red.
- Low fluid in the reservoir. Open your engine bay and visually inspect the brake fluid reservoir. Most are plastic, semi-transparent containers through which the yellowish brake fluid should be visible.
- Soft or non-responsive brake pedal. A more serious sign of a brake fluid leak is a smooth, spongy, or less responsive brake pedal. This indicates that there may be air inside the brake lines and insufficient fluid to deliver full braking power.
- Longer braking distances. If you notice longer braking distances than usual, it could indicate you have a severe brake fluid leak. The larger the difference from its stock performance, the more unsafe it is to drive. Consider scheduling service as soon as possible.
- Brake goes to the floor without resistance. One of the most severe signs of a brake fluid leak is a total lack of resistance in the brake pedal. If this happens, this may mean the brake lines are nearly out of fluid and cannot generate any pressure to engage the brakes. Stop driving immediately and contact a reputable mechanic to have your brakes serviced.
Common Causes of Brake Fluid Leaks
Have you ever wondered, “Why is my car leaking brake fluid?” The braking system in your car is a complex network of parts and components. Without regular inspections, check-ups, and maintenance, one or multiple parts can wear out and potentially cause brake fluid leaks, including:
- Worn or damaged brake lines. If your car has developed a brake fluid leak, the most common culprit is worn-out brake piping. As you drive over various road surfaces, road debris, corrosion, and vibrations can cause your brake lines to develop cracks and tears through which the fluid can escape. If your brake lines are metal, they can also corrode, forming holes in the pipes.
- Faulty master cylinder. In some cases, the master cylinder may have developed a crack, a leak, or another issue that causes it to leak brake fluid.
- Leaky brake calipers. At the end of each brake line are the calipers and the pistons they contain. If the brake calipers are loose, damaged, or corroded, they can leak brake fluid if their pistons are faulty. This issue is most likely if you spotted fluid puddles near your wheels.
- Loose or damaged fittings. The fittings connecting the lines and the brake system’s different components can also wear out and become damaged, loose, or crack over time, causing fluid to leak.
- Worn brake fluid reservoir. In some instances, the reservoir itself may be worn out or damaged. Cracks in the plastic and improperly sealed caps can cause brake fluid leaks.
How to Prevent Brake Fluid Leaks
The best way to prevent your brake system from leaking is to get it regularly inspected and checked by a reputable, certified mechanic. While you can top up your brake fluid levels if they fall low, servicing or repairing them is best left to the pros. Here’s how to care for your brakes and limit the risk of a leak:
- Monitor your brakes. Brake fluid leaks progressively degrade your braking performance. Pay attention to your brake pedal and how it reacts to pressure; if it feels spongier than usual, consider scheduling a brake inspection before it worsens.
- Top up the reservoir. If your brake fluid has fallen too low, refill it with the correct type and then schedule a service to inspect your car for leaks. Check the markings on the reservoir cap to find the brake fluid type your vehicle needs, such as DOT 3, DOT 4, or DOT 5.
- Schedule regular maintenance. Your braking system should receive periodic inspections alongside other fluid checks. The standard recommendation is to get your brakes checked every six months, alongside tire rotation or every two oil changes. If you frequently drive in heavy traffic, consider getting it checked alongside every oil change or every three months instead.
Give Your Car a Professional Brake Inspection with Hometown
At Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, your safety and satisfaction are our priority. Our team of professional mechanics is certified to inspect and maintain your brake system. If your car is leaking brake fluid, we can locate the source of the leak and make all necessary repairs.
If your vehicle needs brake service, contact our team today to schedule an appointment. We can also perform brake system repairs, including brake pad replacement and major component repairs.
FAQs
What color is my brake fluid?
Although it depends on the manufacturer, most brands of brake fluid are yellowish or amber. Darker colors, such as brownish, indicate your brake fluid is old and needs to be flushed and replaced.
How do I know what type of brake fluid my car uses?
Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific model and trim level. You can find brake fluid information in your owner’s manual or on the cap of your brake fluid reservoir. If you can’t find it, contact the team at Hometown; we can help you find the right type.
Can brake fluid leak when I’m not driving?
Yes. If your braking system springs a fluid leak, it will seep out whether your engine is on or not. One of the most common ways to detect a potential leak is by checking your parking spot for puddles.
