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The brakes of your car transmit a lot of force and this is made possible using brake fluid. Without sufficient amounts of brake fluid, it becomes difficult to transfer force through the brake pedal and the performance and responsiveness of your brakes can suffer. In the worst-case scenario, this could even lead to a brake failure and become dangerous.
Luckily, there are a few telltale signs of low brake fluid and it's typically easy to know when you need to perform some maintenance. Some of the common warning signs include:
- Mushy brake pedal
- Vibrations during braking
- Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) activating
- Noise during braking
- Difficulty stopping
Mushy Brake Pedal
The brake pedal of your car should feel smooth to use and offer the right amount of resistance. If it starts to feel mushy and the movement feels uneven or lacks resistance this can be an indication of low brake fluid.
Vibrations During Braking
Brake fluid helps to transmit force smoothly through your braking system and a lack of it can result in a rougher brake. This can often be felt in the form of vibrations or shudders during braking and is a sign of low brake fluid or wearing on other components like the brake pads.
ABS Activation
If your car doesn't have enough braking fluid, you may find that the ABS begins to engage more readily or more often. This compensation can be a sign that you need to check your brakes.
Noise During Braking
Noises during braking are another symptom that your brake system isn't functioning smoothly and is a sign that should never be ignored. It doesn't always point to low brake fluid but it does always signal the need for maintenance.
Difficulty Stopping
A brake failure is the most dangerous risk from low brake fluid but you may also experience difficulty stopping before it gets to this point. Any changes to your car's brake responsiveness could be a sign of low brake fluid or an issue with other components.
Maintaining the function and safety of your brakes is incredibly important. If your brakes don't work properly when you need them it could cause an accident. If you're worried that you may have low brake fluid, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!