 bruin23Premium
join:2004-06-17
San Francisco, CA
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| Visually low brake fluid I went in for a routine oil change today and also had a visual check up on my car. Everything was fine except for the brake fluid, which was visually low. What could this mean? I know brake fluid levels should stay the same so should I see a mechanic ASAP in case there's a leak? The car and brakes feel completely fine and the only problem with seeing a mechanic is that mine is in San Francisco and I'm in Los Angeles for another month so I'd have to find some random one. But then again, I don't really want to make that drive knowing that something could be wrong with my car. It's a 2009 Camry with 41000 miles on it.
Any suggestions? |
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jkxmlr
join:2007-04-03
Freelandville, IN | Pads are wearing and pistons are deeper in the caliper bore. Pistons don't retract all the way. As long as no wetness on tires/axles after overnight, or near master cylinder, don't worry till you put new pads on. |
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 JuggernautIrreverent or irrelevant?Premium
join:2006-09-05
Kelowna, BC
kudos:2 | Yep, that's all it is. |
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How low is the level?
Without seeing the vehicle and knowing how worn the brake pads are, I would not tell you to not worry about it. A lot of places do brake inspections for free. IATN has a "shop finder" based on your location. I can not vouch for any of the shops in L.A. but atleast you will be at a shop that is part of the IATN community.
»autorepair.iatn.net/
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mbsastronomy.com |
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Add some brake fluid and check in a couple of weeks. You may also want to check for leakage.
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Wacky Races 2012! |
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 Doctor OldsI Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
kudos:18 | reply to bruin23
said by bruin23:I went in for a routine oil change today and also had a visual check up on my car. Everything was fine except for the brake fluid, which was visually low. What could this mean? I know brake fluid levels should stay the same so should I see a mechanic ASAP in case there's a leak?
Brake fluid level drops as the pads wear and the fluid displaces the pistons in the caliper bores. This is 100% normal operation. If you add brake fluid, you will later find that there is too much when you replace the pads. This happens because the caliper pistons have to be reseated pushing the caliper stored fluid back up into the master cylinder and reservoir which will then very likely leak now from the master cylinder and reservoir becoming over full.
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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said by bruin23:I know brake fluid levels should stay the same That is incorrect. It is normal for the level in the brake fluid reservoir to drop as your brake pad wear. As long as the level is above the 'minimum' marking, it's fine. |
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said by Doctor Olds: If you add brake fluid, you will later find that there is too much when you replace the pads. This happens because the caliper pistons have to be reseated pushing the caliper stored fluid back up into the master cylinder and reservoir which will then very likely leak now from the master cylinder and reservoir becoming over full.
That is why you remove the master cylinder cap when compressing the calipers back and suck out any extra fluid. |
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bruin23Premium
join:2004-06-17
San Francisco, CA | reply to bruin23
Thanks for the advice. I looked this morning and there doesn't seem to be anything leaking from underneath it. I'll just hold off until I'm home in a month to go see a mechanic. |
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