YACMT (Yet Another Car Maintenace Thread)

[DaiShan]

About a week ago my Brake light came on. Normally it indicates that the E-brake is on, but this wasn't the case.

I thought it was an electrical problem, but I was describing to a friend of mine that it started happening when I would take turns. He suggested that it may be low brake fluid.

I called to schedule an appointment to make sure there isn't a leak, and if there is, to fix it, but I can't get an appointment for 2 weeks!

My question is: Is this something that I can add fluid to relatively easily so that I feel reasonable safe driving my car until I can get it into the shop?

Sorry for being such a n00b to this kind of thing

 

[Minjin]

Yes. Brake fluid level goes down as brake pads wear (and caliper pistons are extended). Just add fluid and go from there. Obviously, if the reservoir is bone dry, I'd be looking in the wheel wells and seeing if I could see fluid residue. But I'm sure you'll be fine.

Mark

 

[bwnv]

Yep, cost you all of 2 to 3 dollars. There shoud be a line on the side to show you the high and low levels. Just fill to high line.

 

[DaiShan]

Thanks guys, any suggestions on where I can find the reservoir (generally speaking) Is it usually well labeled?

/edit ask and ye shall receive Text

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Minjin
Yes. Brake fluid level goes down as brake pads wear (and caliper pistons are extended). Just add fluid and go from there. Obviously, if the reservoir is bone dry, I'd be looking in the wheel wells and seeing if I could see fluid residue. But I'm sure you'll be fine.

Mark

If the fluid is low enough that the light came on and he's not leaking (which he probably isn't) then he needs new brake pads and he needs them _now_. Probably needs new rotors as well.

If the pads have worn enough that the level in the reservoir is so low that it trips the light, then there's a very good chance that at least one of the pads is worn down to the metal, which will ruin the rotor and will increase the liklihood that he will throw a pad on that wheel. If he gets away with this needing only new pads and doesn't need new rotors, I'll be amazed.

ZV

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Minjin
Yes. Brake fluid level goes down as brake pads wear (and caliper pistons are extended). Just add fluid and go from there. Obviously, if the reservoir is bone dry, I'd be looking in the wheel wells and seeing if I could see fluid residue. But I'm sure you'll be fine.

Mark

If the fluid is low enough that the light came on and he's not leaking (which he probably isn't) then he needs new brake pads and he needs them _now_. Probably needs new rotors as well.

If the pads have worn enough that the level in the reservoir is so low that it trips the light, then there's a very good chance that at least one of the pads is worn down to the metal, which will ruin the rotor and will increase the liklihood that he will throw a pad on that wheel. If he gets away with this needing only new pads and doesn't need new rotors, I'll be amazed.

ZV

What do you recommend I do?

/edit Also, would the problem that you described above manifest itself with any other symptoms, such as sqeauling or anything?

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
and will increase the liklihood that he will throw a pad on that wheel.

ZV

What exactly do you mean by that?