This is not a question about brakes. Sort of, not really.


I was watching youtube videos on brakes. And this (respectable) guy said...don't add brake fluid in the reservoir if it's low, because as the pads wear out, the level will go down.


If one top off the fluid, then one sort of "lost track" where the pad were. Then your brakes (pads) could be completely worn, and not know it.


The low fluid will trigger a warning light, then you know it's time to work on your brakes.


What do you say?

 

With my resevoir full, and my pads and rotors brand new, my fluid doesnt drop more than a 1/4" in the resevoir when the pads are completely toast. Let alone the 2" it would need to drop

So I think what he says is a tad rubbish.

I simply take a peek at my pad life when I rotate tires

 

I never add fluid. I made a thread about a year ago because my brake light was coming on around HARD turns. It was the fluid level being low due to my pads being very worn.


There is no need to add fluid unless the light comes on. If you do you'll need to siphon some out when you compress the caliper piston to put the new pads in. Once the light is on I'd diagnose why before just adding fluid.

SO, yes, he is right. Albeit for all the wrong reasons.

 

Brake pads have wear indicators that tell you when to change your pads. The indicator makes an excruciating sound which is designed to annoy you so you change your pads. The light should never come on. If it does, it's possible you have a disaster on your hands, a leak, which could cause you to lose all braking power. If your brake light ever comes on you should immediately and safely pull over.

So yeah what he said was correct. If you top off your fluid starting the next time when you replace your pads, you should never have to add fluid again until you open up the lines.

 

LOL whip your EG around a tight enough corner at 60 and see if your brake light doesn't flash on well before you ever hit the indicator. Tends to happen when all the fluid left gets pulled to the side of the MC resevoir. Additionally, not all pads come with squeal type indicators. Many you need to inspect and check the wear groove to see if it's still got meat.

 

It is completely true. The point of the brake warning light is to indicate there is a problem.The fluid should never be topped off until and inspection is done. The fluid only goes low if there is a leak,or if the pads are low.

 

I've always cracked the bleeder screw, put the catch hose on the nipple, and let the *crappy, used* brake fluid drain out instead of forcing it back up into the ABS module. It seems a moot point to me as I was taught that a bleeding is part of replacing pads.

 

I guess there is no reason why the manufacturer suggested service recommendations say to regularly check pad thickness, or that dealer techs actually measure pad thickness rather than decide to change pads based on low fluid...

 

truuuu