Brake fluid refers to a lubricant used in a car's braking system.
Types of Brake Fluids
There are two commonly used: Dot and dot 4. They are usually glycol-based, which means they absorb water from the air. It is not a useful feature when choosing a brake fluid. The containers housing the brake fluid must, therefore, stay sealed at all times. On the other hand, Dot 5 is silicon-based. The fact that it does not absorb moisture from the air means a stable braking system.
How a Car's Brake System Works
When pressure is applied to the brake pedal, the brake fluid runs throughout the whole braking system. This force is then transferred to the brake pads that finally press against the wheels. It, therefore, translates to bringing the car to a stop.
The brake fluid should be changed after every two years, depending on the manufacturers due to moisture contamination which may corrode the vehicle's brake system.
Characteristics of an Excellent Braking System
- Constant viscosity
- High boiling point
- Suitable brake fluid must not corrode the metals used