Brake fluid question.

guitarman8373 · 01-13-2018, 11:05 AM

Had my brake fluid low sensor go off today. Checked the reservoir and it's a bit under the fill line, which is what had set it off.

I stopped by autozone and picked up a small bottle of some Prestone fluid and topped it off.

I parked in the driveway, mashed the brake and worked the clutch multiple times then pulled away and parked. Checked my wheels and calipers for ANY sign of fluid leak and saw nothing. Pavement was also completely dry.

Is it possible for the fluid to dissipate very slowly over time? I hadn't been to the dealer since July for any sort of fluid checks and this is my DD so it does get used often.

I'll see how it holds up being topped off now and plan on mentioning it to the dealer when I'm in for my oil change.

Any insight would be appreciated tho. Especially if it might put my mind at ease. Although I assume if something is wrong, it would be covered under warranty.

Thanks!

Deakins · 01-13-2018, 01:00 PM

How many miles on the car and how hard are you using the brakes? As you consume the brake pads the caliper pistons keep extending out more and more. This will reduce the reservoir level so if you have worn the brake pads enough it is probably the cause. I would just keep an eye on the fluid level and see if it moved around any.

Soleil · 01-13-2018, 01:39 PM

Yes,+1 if the brakes are worn out it is possible that the fluid level is reduced. This is normal. Maybe the level was at it’s minimum at the Beginn and now as it dropped a bit you get the light. Probably your sensor will tell you in the near future to change your pads. Keep an eye on it.

iPODFAN11 · 01-13-2018, 02:02 PM

How low are your brake pads? As they wear, the pistons in the calipers keep traveling outward so to speak, so the lower the pad thickness, the more the pistons have initially traveled out, the lower the brake fluid.

dpevans · 01-13-2018, 02:18 PM

pad wear = low fluid. make sure if you do your own brakes to take a bit of fluid back out before compressing caliper pistons.

Gutling · 01-13-2018, 02:25 PM

As everyone said if there is no leak the fluid shouldn't go anywhere else, so if its low its usually an indicator of low pads. I would check the pads before topping off, because when you replace them its going to push that fluid back into the reservoir and may spill out.

guitarman8373 · 01-13-2018, 05:15 PM

Alright thanks. My car has under 20k miles and I don't brake hard or often at all. Usually just downshift alot.

01-13-2018, 11:05 AM	#1
guitarman8373 Drives: 2016 2SS Camaro fully loaded. Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 249 View My Garage	Brake fluid question. Had my brake fluid low sensor go off today. Checked the reservoir and it's a bit under the fill line, which is what had set it off. I stopped by autozone and picked up a small bottle of some Prestone fluid and topped it off. I parked in the driveway, mashed the brake and worked the clutch multiple times then pulled away and parked. Checked my wheels and calipers for ANY sign of fluid leak and saw nothing. Pavement was also completely dry. Is it possible for the fluid to dissipate very slowly over time? I hadn't been to the dealer since July for any sort of fluid checks and this is my DD so it does get used often. I'll see how it holds up being topped off now and plan on mentioning it to the dealer when I'm in for my oil change. Any insight would be appreciated tho. Especially if it might put my mind at ease. Although I assume if something is wrong, it would be covered under warranty. Thanks! __________________

01-13-2018, 01:39 PM	#3
Soleil Drives: Camaro 50th anniversary edition Join Date: May 2017 Location: Europe Posts: 2,203 View My Garage	Yes,+1 if the brakes are worn out it is possible that the fluid level is reduced. This is normal. Maybe the level was at it’s minimum at the Beginn and now as it dropped a bit you get the light. Probably your sensor will tell you in the near future to change your pads. Keep an eye on it. __________________ Soleil _____________________________________________ A car is fast enough, if you fear to unlock it in the morning." (Walter Roehrl)

01-13-2018, 05:15 PM	#7
guitarman8373 Drives: 2016 2SS Camaro fully loaded. Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 249 View My Garage	Alright thanks. My car has under 20k miles and I don't brake hard or often at all. Usually just downshift alot. __________________

01-13-2018, 01:00 PM	#2
Deakins Drives: 2017 2ss, m6 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 231	How many miles on the car and how hard are you using the brakes? As you consume the brake pads the caliper pistons keep extending out more and more. This will reduce the reservoir level so if you have worn the brake pads enough it is probably the cause. I would just keep an eye on the fluid level and see if it moved around any.

01-13-2018, 02:18 PM	#5
dpevans Drives: 2024 Riverside Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,366	pad wear = low fluid. make sure if you do your own brakes to take a bit of fluid back out before compressing caliper pistons.

01-13-2018, 02:25 PM	#6
Gutling Drives: 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 2.0 LT Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Dillsboro, NC Posts: 202	As everyone said if there is no leak the fluid shouldn't go anywhere else, so if its low its usually an indicator of low pads. I would check the pads before topping off, because when you replace them its going to push that fluid back into the reservoir and may spill out.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password