Has your car ever had a brake fluid flush? Are you interested in finding out more brake fluid flush is and why you need one? Many drivers don’t consider brake maintenance and are only likely to think about their brakes if they start to fail.
It is, however, a good idea to take care of your brakes. This can include maintenance, such as having your braking system flushed regularly. Brake fluid is one of the most overlooked car maintenance items. A brake fluid change costs far less than it can cost driving around with diminished brake capacity.
Having a brake fluid flush will ensure that your brakes stay in good working order and that they can continue to work safely. This article will look at what a brake fluid flush is and will help you decide whether your vehicle needs one. We’ll also look at the average cost of having your brake fluid replaced.
A brake fluid flush will usually cost about $100±
Table of Contents
1. How Do Brakes Work?
2. What is a Brake fluid flush?
3. When and Why Would You Need a Brake Fluid Flush
4. How is a Brake Fluid Flush Performed?
5. Average Brake Flush in Dollars
6. Conclusion/Summary
How Do Brakes Work?
A car’s braking system is intricate and has many working parts. Vehicles usually have front disk brakes as well as back brakes that are either disk or drum brakes. Each piece is connected using hoses and tubes that link the brake to the master cylinder. The braking system also consists of a parking brake and power brake booster, as well as an anti-lock system.
When a vehicle brakes the plunger is pushed against the master cylinder when the driver pushes down on the brake pedal. This motion forces brake fluid to be pumped through the hoses to the brake at both the front and rear of the vehicles.
If your car has disk brakes, the braking fluid is forced into a caliper. It then presses against a piston, and the brake pads are squeezed against the disk. This forces the car to slow down or come to an abrupt halt, depending on how much force was applied to the brake pedal.
Drum brakes operate slightly differently; the fluid is forced into the wheel cylinder. It then creates pressure on the brake shoes, which is situated against the drum, and this stops the wheel from turning.
What is a Brake fluid flush?
Whether you have disk or drum brakes, the brake fluid plays a vital part in how well your brake system works and how quickly your car stops. Your braking system will suffer from general wear and tear over its lifetime, and for this reason, it’s crucial to carry out maintenance.
Components of the braking system will start to deteriorate as your vehicle ages. This could cause fragments of rubber, rust, or debris to flake off, and these can end up in your brake fluid. Dirty brake fluid is less effective, and if left unchecked, your braking won’t work very well.
Investing in a brake fluid flush is beneficial to the functioning of your braking system as it removes all the old, dirty fluid and replaces it with new fluid.
When and Why Would You Need a Brake Fluid Flush
It’s recommended that your brakes be flushed regularly, which should be part of your vehicle’s maintenance. It would help if you had a brake fluid flush either every second year or after you’ve driven 30,000 miles. Take a look at your particular vehicle maintenance schedule.
Brakes are one of the most essential parts of your car, and it’s important to keep them in good condition. Over time, your braking system will wear down, and the brake fluid becomes dirty. If you regularly clean your brake fluid, this will make driving safer and is also likely to save you money in the long run.
It’s a good idea to get into a habit of having your brakes checked, and the braking fluid changed regularly. If you ever have problems with your brakes and they seem like they aren’t working correctly, you should consult a mechanic straight away. It’s likely that you’ll need your brake fluid changing if you notice any unusual noises such as grinding.
How is a Brake Fluid Flush Performed?
Mechanics at an auto repair shop can change your brake fluid quickly and efficiently as they have a brake-flushing machine and will use high-quality brake fluid. It’s not recommended that you change your brake fluid yourself unless you know what you’re doing. Brake fluid can easily be contaminated with air, which causes water vapor to mix with the fluid and damage your brake system.
A mechanic will change the brake fluid by locating the reservoir and removing the old fluid. They will then be able to replace it with new fluid.
Next, the mechanic will remove the old fluid that’s left in the brake valve. He will do this by jacking your car up and removing all the wheels. The fluid will be flushed by connecting tubing to the brake valve to flush the old fluid out into a container.
This job will take two mechanics; one will pump the brakes and hold the pedal down while the other opens the valve. This will allow the old brake fluid to empty out into the container. Old brake fluid has a darker color, and you may be able to see debris floating in it. New fluid is lighter and has a yellow tint.
The mechanics will repeatedly flush the braking system until the new, fresh fluid reaches the brakes. This process will be carried out on all four of the brakes, and then the wheels will be put back on your car. The mechanics will then carry out a test drive to check that all the brakes are working correctly.
If you are interested in doing it yourself, here is a complete how to video.
Average Brake Flush in Dollars
A brake fluid flush will usually cost about $100 as it’s a labor-intensive procedure. You’ll be able to get your brake fluid changed by taking your car to your local garage. It is possible to change the brake fluid yourself, but it’s not recommended. This should only be attempted if you know what you’re doing.
Conclusion
Having your brake fluid changed regularly is beneficial to the condition of your braking system and the safety of your vehicle. This can be done at your local garage for around $100. It should be done at least every two years or if you notice any problems with your brakes.
As your braking system deteriorates over time, particles of dust and rubber can get into the braking fluid, and you may start to hear a grinding or crunching sound. This is a sure sign that somethings not right, and you should seek advice from a mechanic.
If you regularly drive a long way, you may need to have your brake fluid changed more often. It would help if you got a brake fluid flush every 30,000 miles.