Changing Brake Fluid - Vectra C

forgotmyname

Good to know your keeping an eye on a safety critical item.

What happened to weekly checks? On the wagons we had to check everything daily.

pennypincher3562

forgotmyname wrote: »

Good to know your keeping an eye on a safety critical item.

What happened to weekly checks? On the wagons we had to check everything daily.

Car is mot'd and serviced every year. I don't drive a wagon....

Rolandtheroadie

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Car is mot'd and serviced every year. I don't drive a wagon....

Thats ok then. Yearly checks......

Joe_Horner

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Car is mot'd and serviced every year. I don't drive a wagon....

His point is that brake fluid level is part of the weekly checks that everyone is expected to do as a driver / car owner, along with oil, water, lights and tyres (pressure AND condition).

It's even been part of the driving test for the past 15 years or so to make sure that people know they should be checking.

Norman_Castle

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Car is mot'd and serviced every year.

Do you ever lift the bonnet? Checking is easy. Lift the bonnet and look. Most items that need checking are easily found. Brake fluid reservoirs are normally clear with maximum and minimum marks on them. No need to remove the cap. When you've found it if the level isn't clear, clean it or rock the car gently and you will see the fluid move.

Ask the garage who services the car to show you what to check.

pennypincher3562

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Do you ever lift the bonnet?

Yes, I do lift the bonnet, but have to admit that brake fluid wasn't normally one of my checks (leave that to garage.)

Anyway, I've decided to go for the full replacement of the brake fluid by the garage. I spoke to them again today, and we agreed it needed replaced in line with recommendations.

Thanks.

pappa_golf

MSE money savers change their brake fluid with their next door neighbours

arcon5

Easy enough with the pressured tool that screws in place of the cap. Open up nipples individually and the tool will maintain fluid level whilst you drop old and introduce new.

Although the question of does it need changing or can you just too it up is an easy one to answer with a brake fluid tester costing a fiver

Norman_Castle

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Yes, I do lift the bonnet, but have to admit that brake fluid wasn't normally one of my checks (leave that to garage.)

Ask the garage to show you how to check it. Its simple. Even if you have no plans to ever top it up or change the fluid noticing a sudden drop in the level is a sign that there may be a leak.

Strider590

Checking brake fluid usually requires a flash light held against the top of the reservoir, as uncontaminated brake fluid is usually clear with a yellow tint.