SMR July - August Brochure ROI

AROUND

PAGID – CHECKING BRAKE FLUID Signs that your customers brake fluid needs to be changed ■ Your ABS Light Comes On One of the simplest indicators that your brake fluid either needs a change or needs a top-up is if the Anti-Lock Braking System, or ABS light on your dashboard turns on. While some older vehicles may not have an ABS light, newer vehicles are equipped with this indicator to let you know if there is something wrong with your fluid. ■ Pedal Problems Another way to tell if your brake fluid is low or needs to be replaced is if your brake pedal isn’t responding like it used to. If your pedal feels firmer than usual, the fluid could be contaminated. If it feels easier or softer when you press the pedal down, this can mean that your fluid is getting low. ■ Strange Noises When Braking If your braking system doesn’t have enough fluid in it, or if the fluid is old, your brakes may begin to make noise. At this point, it is important to have your brakes checked as soon as you can, before any damage occurs to your braking system. ■ Brake Pads Not Functioning as Well When your brake fluid is dirty or low, it isn’t able to depress your brake pads as efficiently as it should. This can cause uneven wear or damage to your brake pads, which can cause grinding, squeaking, or squealing noises when you use your brakes. ■ A Burning Smell If you’re noticing a burning smell or see smoke after using your brakes over a period of time, this can mean that your brakes are overheating. If this happens, you need to pull over as soon as possible in order to allow the brakes to cool. If you keep driving, the overheated fluid can actually lead to brake failure, causing you to be unable to stop.

If you notice that your brakes aren’t performing as well as they used to, it is important to have your braking system checked as soon as possible to avoid losing braking function.

Are there different types of brake fluid? Yes, there are three main types of brake fluid. ■ So called “conventional” or “universal” brake fluids based on glycol ethers and designated DOT 3, DOT 4 or DOT 5.1. These are used by all the major vehicle manufacturers, and account for more than 99% of all brake fluid usage. ■ Fluids based on silicone. These can be used in normal braking systems but should not be mixed with conventional grades. Used by some classic cars and military vehicles. ■ Fluids based on mineral oil (LHM). These require special braking systems and are totally incompatible with conventional fluids. Used in some older Citroen and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Within the conventional grades there are many sub-grades.