How to Change Your Brake Fluid

By Tom Tessin

Has it been a while since you last changed your cars brake fluid? If so, you may want to give your car some attention on that. To help keep your car running smoothly, and out of the shop you will want to make sure you give your car the attention and maintenance it needs. Changing your cars brake fluid is a very important part in how your vehicle runs. Brake fluid over time can get dirty and start to thicken. Once it starts to reach that level it is long over due for a change. Not sure how to change your cars brake fluid? Check out the step by step instructions below to learn how you can change it yourself.

Supplies needed:

• Brake fluid based on your vehicle

• A brake bleeding kit (vacuum)

• Drip pan

• A clean rag

Not sure what kind of brake fluid you need? Check your owner’s manual or ask a associate at an automotive store.

Step by step instructions for changing your vehicles brake fluid:

1. Make sure you are in an area with some room and that your vehicle is shut off.

2. Once you have a place to work you will want to pop your car’s hood.

3. You will want to now locate your car’s brake master cylinder. Not sure where this is? Look for something that is on the driver’s side of the car, next to the engine. Think of where your pedal would be located.

4. Now that you’ve located your B.M.C. you will want to search for the cap. Loosen the cap to take it off and check out the fluids color. You never want to have a dark or thick color fluid. Instead, your fluid should look similar to a light, very pale brownish color.

5. If your fluid color is dark you will definitely want to consider changing your brake fluid.

6. Take out your vacuum pump and suction out all the old fluid out of the master cylinder.

7. Now put the canister on the pump, (this becomes the reservoir) and drain the master cylinder.

8. When you place the tube into the master cylinder to suck out the fluids, be sure to make sure the hose is all the way down to the bottom. If you don’t place it in far enough you may not get all of the old oil.

9. Once your canister pump is all the way full, get your clean rag and put it around the tip of the hose to avoid having it leak over your vehicle.

10. Keep suctioning and emptying until all the fluid is out of the brake master cylinder.

11. Once all the fluid is out of the B.M.C. get a clean rag and wipe down the area. This will avoid having dust get in your fluid and any dirt that doesn’t belong there.

12. Since all your fluid is out, you will want to get your new brake fluid and pour it to the line that says “full”.

13. Once it is full, you will now need to take all the wheels off of your vehicle and get out the vacuum pump again.

14. By each tire there is a bleeder valve. Take off the cap and suction your vacuum pump to it.

15. Take a wrench and loosen the bleeder valve just a little bit

16. Now, pump your vacuum pump until all the old brake fluid comes out. (It may come out dirty at first and have a few bubbles.) Give it around 15-25 pumps.

17. Go back to your master cylinder up from and add some more of the new fluid to it. (It should be lower because you’re draining it through the bleeder valves.

18. Repeat these steps for the other three tires.

19. Once you’ve finished the work up front and all four of your tires, you will now want to test your vehicle. You may notice that your pedal will go all the way down to the floor and the ABS light may come on. If this happens, try to pump your brake about 10-15 times and it will firm up. The ABS light will go off after you turn it off and back on again. If you notice that it doesn’t turn off the first time try to unhook your battery so that the computer will reset.

A very important question that many people don’t know the answer to, “How often should you change your vehicle’s brake fluid?”

Answer: You should change your car’s brake fluid every 2 years or every 24,000 miles, which ever one comes first.

Changing your car’s brake fluid seems very intimidating at first but it is a very easy way to save money. By changing your own brake fluid you can avoid going to the automotive shops and learn to take good care of your vehicle. Follow these simple steps and you will be on your way to changing your car’s brake fluid in no time.

About The Author

Save on gas with a gas card and find more of Tom's work at FINDgascards.

Brake Pads Your Cars Safety Equipment

By Quinton Becker

Brake pads are an integral element of the braking system in a car. As you use your brakes in everyday driving, you will slowly wear down, and, eventually, need to replace the brake pads.

Disc brakes have been used on the front wheels of cars for decades now - some models are even equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels. You will still find some cars being made with disc brakes at the front and drum brakes on the rear wheels. The reason for this is that the front wheels carry the biggest portion of the load under braking conditions, and disk brakes are more effective.

Since the front wheels, and thereby the disc brakes, carry the biggest portion of the load under braking conditions, it is critical that your front brakes are operating as well as possible. When it comes to your car's brakes, there is simply no room for substandard or worn out parts.

Older cars that had disc brakes on the front were equipped with what was referred to as a "squeaker bar" on the brake pad. This piece of metal would make an extremely loud squeaking noise once the brake pads were worn down. This was how you knew that it was time to replace your worn-out pads. Cars today come with an electronic sensor on the brake pad. When your brakes have worn down, you will see a warning light on your dashboard.

When this dashboard light is illuminated, or when you start hearing a squeak upon brake application, it is time for you to have your brake pads replaced. If you wait to do so, you are not only causing damage to the brake as a whole, but you are taking a big safety risk.

If your car is equipped with a wear sensor in the brake pads, you will want to have this sensor replaced along with the pads. The sensor is not generally included with the new pads. If you wait for your brake pads to wear down completely, they will begin to damage your disc rotor - the replacement of which is costly.

When you press your brake pedal down, the pistons on your brake caliper will push the brake pad down against the brake disc. Ultimately, the pads pressing against the disc is what slows and stops your car. As you can imagine, this process results in the deterioration of your pads. This is how brake pads are supposed to work; they are not intended to last the life of your car.

Brake pads are made from a variety of materials. You can purchase pads made from longer-lasting materials if you wish. Those of higher quality also help your car to stop more quickly under heavy braking conditions. Choosing the highest quality brake parts is a smart decision for your safety. Even if you own a Chrysler, you can use aftermarket brakes that will outperform the factory Chrysler parts. Chrysler parts work fine for most drivers, but performance enthusiasts and those who want extra stopping power, will often opt for aftermarket brake parts.

Be sure to use a great deal of care when replacing your brake parts. If you do not feel comfortable with your own mechanical skills, it may be best to have a professional install the new parts for you. Working on your own brakes is not the time to test your mechanical aptitude. If your brakes are installed incorrectly, they may fail and cause a severe accident.

It is recommended that you have your brakes checked each time your vehicle's oil is changed - about every 6,000 miles. This quick inspection, paired with proper maintenance of your brake pads, will prevent problems down the road, ensuring the safety of you and your family.

About The Author

Quinton Becker writes about cars. By planning ahead, you can save money by buying your next set of brake pads online, along with any other auto parts you might need. Quinton also writes for http://www.AutomotiveWebmasters.com