Posted on 3/28/2025
Brake fluid doesn’t get as much attention as engine oil or transmission fluid, but it plays a critical role in your vehicle’s safety. Without it, your brakes wouldn’t work at all. Yet, many drivers go years without changing their brake fluid—sometimes because they don’t know they need to, other times because it’s out of sight and out of mind. So, is replacing brake fluid really necessary, or is it just another way for service shops to upsell you? What Does Brake Fluid Do Brake fluid is what allows you to stop your car with just a press of the pedal. Your braking system operates using hydraulic pressure. When you press the brake pedal, fluid moves through the brake lines, applying pressure to the calipers, which then squeeze the brake pads against the rotors. This friction is what slows your car down. Because brake fluid is incompressible, it ensures a direct and immediate transfer of force from the pedal to the brakes. If the flui ... read more