What Color is Brake Fluid?

What does brake fluid look like? Many Raleigh drivers know what brake fluid is but may not be aware of what color the fluid actually is. Knowing the proper color of brake fluid is important so that you can check whether or not you need new brake fluid or if your current brake fluid is fine. Learn when it’s time to visit our service department and get your brake fluid changed with the service experts at Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Southpoint.

What Does Brake Fluid Look Like When it’s New?

Usually, your brake fluid should be fairly clear with just a slight shade of yellow. This is what the brake fluid looks like when it’s new, and healthy brake fluid should always maintain about the same color quality.

What color is brake fluid when it needs to be replaced? Over time, the yellow tint of brake fluid will deepen and it will start to lose some of its translucency. When the brake fluid color is a deep yellow to brown, it should be replaced.

What Does Brake Fluid Do?

So, you have an idea of what color brake fluid is, but what is its exact function? Brake fluid is a liquid that keeps your vehicle’s braking system running smoothly and improves the life of your brakes, which is obviously important on the Cary roads. The brake fluid assists the movement of the pedal and lubricates the whole system, preventing corrosion. If the brake fluid level gets low or the fluid becomes contaminated, the braking system performance quality can decrease. Since your braking system needs to be in top condition and you don’t want to pay for new brakes prematurely, it’s absolutely necessary to check your brake fluid regularly.

How to Check Brake Fluid

Checking the brake fluid is a simple and efficient way to ensure your braking system is running smoothly. Knowing what brake fluid looks like, you’ll know you should be looking for a clear color with a slight yellow tint. To check your brake fluid’s color, you can perform these basic steps right at home:

1. First, open the hood and locate the master cylinder, which is where your brake fluid reservoir is located. If you’re unsure where to find the master cylinder, check your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
2. Once you have located the master reservoir, check the lines on your fluid reservoir. The fluid should fall in between the minimum and maximum lines. If the fluid is under the minimum line, then you’ll need to put in more fluid.
3. While you’re checking the fluid level, stop and ask, “What color is the brake fluid?” If the fluid is dark and oily, then you’ll need to flush the reservoir completely and replace the entire thing with new, clean brake fluid.

While these steps are fairly straightforward and take little time to complete, we understand that some Chapel Hill drivers don’t want to do it themselves and would rather visit a service center. You can easily schedule a service appointment at Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Southpoint to get you back on the Durham roads in no time.

Get Your Brake Fluid Checked at Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Southpoint

Now that you know what color brake fluid is and how to check it, you can visit our service center to fix the more complicated braking system issues that may come up. Contact us to take a look at your braking system or anything else on your vehicle to ensure you’re driving safely on the Apex roads. We’re always happy to offer service assistance you can trust!