Motorists, especially beginners, often do not realize that other technical fluids need to be changed in cars, except for engine oil. One of these mixtures is brake. First of all, driver safety depends on it. Every car owner must know how to change the brake fluid correctly. Consider this process on the example of machines of various brands.
Why do I need to change brake fluid?
She works in extremely difficult and even extreme conditions. The liquid is often subject to overheating - even with a quiet driving mode, it can warm up to 150 ° C. If the car is operated more aggressively: driving with a trailer, traveling on mountain roads, intensive driving, then this technical fluid can easily be heated to 180 ° C. If the car is stopped, then the temperature can reach even 200 ° C.
Naturally, manufacturers of
technical fluids take into account high loads - in the characteristics of popular products that are currently offered on the market of auto parts and accessories, boiling points from 205 to 265 ° C are indicated depending on the brand. However, during operation, it often happens that this liquid absorbs moisture - this sharply lowers the boiling point. For example, within one year the brake fluid can draw from 2 to 3% of water - which means that the boiling point can drop to 30-50 ° C. So, it will begin to boil already at 145-160 ° C. To operate such a car is simply dangerous. Steam locks form in the brake system. Due to the sharp expansion of the bubbles, part of the brake fluid is squeezed into the reserve tank. When the driver presses the brake in an emergency, the remaining fluid simply will not create the necessary pressure level. Accordingly, the pedal will fail. It should be remembered that this is a very serious composite and it is necessary to constantly monitor its condition and know how to change the brake fluid if its level is below normal.
How often do you need to replace?
Complete with any modern car is a service book, in which the manufacturer recommends replacing this fluid no more than once every two years. But most car owners for some reason do not consider it necessary to adhere to these recommendations. So, instead of figuring out how to change the brake fluid completely, simply periodically add it to the tank to a certain level. In this matter, it is important to consider how the car is operated - how actively the brake system is used in extreme and high-speed modes.
It has already been written above that the main reason for the replacement is the penetration of moisture into the hydraulic composition. This happens in 2-3 years. It is at such a time that a replacement must be made. When and how to change brake fluid? This is often indicated and produced on containers, which should also be noted.
Misconceptions for novice drivers regarding brake fluid
Consider a few common misconceptions. They happen to those who have only recently entered the world of cars, bought their first car and are trying to operate it correctly.
Closed Operation Modes
The brake system has special openings designed for air movement. The liquid itself is very hygroscopic, and as already noted, absorbs moisture. This leads to the fact that over time, it loses its properties. Therefore, do not think that if the brake system is closed, then nothing should be changed. In fact, this is not only desirable, but necessary.
DOT-4 is suitable for any modern car
This is another misconception. If you do not go into the types and types of products for brake systems, it must be said that a novice driver should not experiment. Safety depends on the operation of the brake system. It is important to follow the instructions of the car manufacturer, and you also need to know how to change the brake fluid on a particular car model.
How to check brake fluid quality
In the automotive market you can find fakes. In order to check the quality of the composition, a special tester is used.
With this device, you can determine the boiling point of the
hydraulic fluid and, based on the readings, determine whether it is of good quality. So, at 175 ° C - the product is effective, if from 165 to 175 ° C - it is better to replace it. If the instrument readings are lower than 165 ° C - this is an urgent replacement.
How to change brake fluid on a VAZ
To perform a replacement, it is better to use someone else's help, because, as practice shows, without outside interference, the process will be much more difficult.
The first step is to unscrew the brake reservoir cap, then, you need to put the part so that the fluid does not drain from it. Then, with the help of a large medical syringe or pear, the amount of hydraulic composition that is in the tank should be removed. However, do not pull everything out - it will be enough if the amount drops to the minimum mark. If you take the entire volume, then depressurization will occur and you will have to
pump the brakes. After selection, a new fluid is poured into the tank to the maximum mark. Now it is covered with a lid. Further, the car owner should get under the bottom of the car, and the assistant - to drive. The owner of the car removes the protective cap located on the bleeder fitting - you need to look for this part on the wheel calipers (often it is located in its upper part).
It is necessary to put the tube with the hose attached to it on one of the fittings, and the other end of the hose in the meantime falls into a container with brake fluid. It must be dipped in a container for the entire time of discharge. Next, the assistant should smoothly press the brake pedal 5-10 times. It is necessary to act all the way, and for the last time the pedal should remain fully pressed to the floor.
At this moment, the nozzle is unscrewed by 2 or three turns - as a result, the waste liquid will flow into the tank. You need to tighten when a new one goes. Such an operation must be done with all wheels.
Here's how to change the brake fluid on the VAZ 2110, 2112, 2114. In fact, it is not difficult and you can do this operation yourself.
Chevrolet Lacetti
For work, it is better to drive the car onto a flyover or pit. First of all, the tank is unscrewed, and then, using a syringe or pear, the old working fluid is pumped out, and after that, a new one is poured. Further, novice owners get lost - do I need to upgrade? What do the experts say in response to the question of how to change the Lacetti brake fluid? Pumping in this case is necessary. Before producing it, you should check the level in the tank.
Then the union on the caliper of the rear right wheel is unscrewed, a hose is put on it, which is immersed in a container with liquid. Next, you need help - you should press the brake pedal several times and hold it in this position. All this time, the old hydraulic mixture will flow from the hose. As soon as a new, cleaner liquid begins to flow, the fitting is immediately twisted and a protective rubber cap is put on it.
This process must be performed for the left front wheel, left rear and right front. Here's how to change the brake fluid yourself without having to go to service stations.
Brake fluid change on vehicles with ABS
To solve this problem, it is best to contact the service station. Car service specialists will perform this procedure quickly and efficiently. But if this is not possible, you can perform the replacement yourself.
Many do not know how to change the brake fluid with ABS. In fact, there is nothing complicated. It is enough to remove the lid from the tank, put the hose on the fitting, and lower the second end of the hose into a container filled with liquid. Next, start the engine and leave it at idle. With the help of pressing the brake, the old fluid will gradually be displaced - a new one should take its place. This operation is performed for each of the wheels.
KIA
On cars of this brand, replacement can be performed in two ways - already known, using pumping and without it. So, the car is installed on a flyover or pit. Then, with a syringe or pear, pump out the old hydraulic composition from the tank, adding new one. To speed up this process, hoses are put on each fitting and lowered into bottles.
Then all the fittings are unscrewed - it is important to make sure that the fluid has flowed from all the hoses. At the same time, the amount of mixture in the tank should be controlled - if the level decreases, you need to replenish it. When the volume of brake fluid in the capacity of the front left fitting is approximately 200 grams, it is tightened. When the same volume is in each container, the operation is stopped. Here's how to change the brake fluid (Kia Sorento is no exception) without the need for pumping.
Conclusion
The process of replacing brake fluid is not as complicated as it might seem. You can do everything yourself and save a certain amount.