The Importance of Brake Fluid and When to Replace It

Brake fluid is the lifeblood of your vehicle's braking system. It is a specially formulated hydraulic fluid that transmits the force from your foot on the brake pedal directly to the brake calipers at each wheel.

The Problem: Moisture Absorption

Most brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally absorbs moisture from the air over time. As the water content in the fluid increases, its boiling point decreases. Under heavy braking, the heat generated can cause this water to boil and turn into steam. Since gas is compressible (unlike liquid), this leads to a soft, spongy brake pedal and reduced stopping power.

Corrosion Risk

Moisture in the brake fluid also promotes internal corrosion, damaging expensive components like the master cylinder and ABS module.

When to Replace It

We generally recommend flushing and replacing brake fluid every 2 years or 30,000 miles, but always refer to your owner's manual. If your brake fluid looks dark and murky instead of clear or light amber, it's time for a change. Trust Metro Transmission & Auto Repair for professional brake fluid service.