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Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master
cylinder reservoir is
filled with DOT-3 brake
fluid. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 242 for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid
level in the reservoir might go down. The first
is that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the fluid level goes back
up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of
the brake and/or clutch hydraulic system. If it
is, you should have your brake and/or clutch
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or
later your brakes and/or clutch will not work
well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake/clutch
fluid. Adding fluid will not correct a leak. If you
add fluid when your brake linings are worn, then
you will have too much fluid when you get
new brake linings. You should add or remove
fluid, as necessary, only when work is done on
the brake/clutch hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake fluid, it
can spill on the engine. The fluid will burn
if the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake fluid only when
work is done on the brake and/or clutch
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your
brake warning light will come on. See Brake
System Warning Light on page 134.
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