Yes, a car’s brake fluid can become low without a leak. This happens because the brake pads, drums, and discs have worn out. Wear causes brake pistons to advance further, and brake fluid fills the space created by the piston movement. This process is normal.
Thus changing the worn brake pads or discs will make the brake fluid come back up again.
If your brake pedal feels spongy, you need to have your brake fluid checked. If it’s low, then you may need to bleed the system (have it released slowly by an expert) because the brakes are probably causing more damage to themselves by repeatedly stopping and starting. A mechanic can check for leaks while they are releasing the brake fluid.
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Does brake fluid naturally go down?
Yes, brake fluid may go down naturally because of the wear of the brake elements I just mentioned above. This is normal behavior that is happening and if you add more extra brake fluid, you will need to take this into account when changing these parts, because the fluid level will go up.
Moreover, if you feel that something is wrong with your brakes, though, then you should have them checked out by a mechanic right away. Mechanics should be able to find the problem through a simple process of elimination.
They should check your brake fluid, brake pads, and discs for cracks or damage, and the other parts such as the emergency brake and cables.
Also, if your car’s brake fluid is low, there may be a serious leak that needs repair. If everything checks out okay, it could be just a condensation.
If there is a persistent leak, you should have that looked into by a mechanic immediately. Your brakes may not be working correctly, which could lead to more damage in the long run.
Can I just add brake fluid?
As soon as the brake fluid level drops below the minimum and the brake elements are not very worn, you can fill the reservoir with the same brand of brake fluid. When replacing worn pads, discs, or drums, fluid may overflow and spill from the reservoir.
However, it’s not safe to add brake fluid if there is a leak because it could cause even more damage. Instead, have the car taken into a garage or dealership where they can bleed all of the air out of your system.
This is also necessary if your brake pedal feels spongy which is a common cause of low brake fluid. If you were to keep adding fluid, this would create air bubbles, making it even harder to bleed your brakes later on.
How to fix low brake fluid?
To fix low brake fluid, you should have your car taken into an authorized repair shop or dealership instead of just adding new brake fluid yourself.
They will be able to identify if there is a serious leak into your braking system and make sure all parts are working correctly. If the cause of the leak is worn brake pads or discs, then adding the same brake fluid is an easy fix but remember this action when you want to change these parts.
Cars nowadays have a dashboard light indicator that warns the driver that brake pads are worn and need to be changed. It is a much easier way to find out if the brake fluid level has a natural decrease.
If you buy new brake fluid, you could cause more problems by adding air bubbles to your system. If there are no leaks, keep an eye on the levels and top them up if they get low again.
Low fluid level can be caused by a cracked brake fluid reservoir, problems with the brake cylinders that is a result of not changing the brake pads and discs in time, brake hoses that naturally wear out over time, and a failing brake master cylinder.
Also, a poor connection with the brake master cylinder may be a cause of leaks so you should have that checked out as well.
All the above causes require the intervention of a professional that will make the correct repairs.
Is it best to change the brake fluid or to complete the level?
The best way to deal with low brake fluid levels is to have your car checked by a mechanic or taken to a dealership to make sure there are no leaks and to deal with this issue the proper way.
If your brakes feel spongy, even if it’s just condensation, then you should get this checked out. You should never attempt to top up the brake fluid yourself, as you could do more damage even if there aren’t any leaks.
Brake pads and discs need to be checked regularly, but only when the car is brought in for a service or MOT test. It’s important that your car works properly at all times because you never know when you might need to use your brakes.
If you feel that one of your car’s parts is being neglected, it’s advisable to have a mechanic check it out. They will be able to deal with any problems that may arise and recommend whether the car needs new brake discs or pads.
