Brake fluid is a vital component of automotive brake systems – it uses hydraulic pressure to transfer pressure (amplified) from the brake pedal to the calipers that press the brake pads against the rotors to slow down your vehicle.
Brake fluid requires regular replacement – typically every 2 years or 20,000 miles. Working under high temperatures, over time the fluid loses its chemical and mechanical properties. Increased water content further accelerates this deterioration. Water content?! Yes, brake fluid is highly hygroscopic – it absorbs moisture from the environment. Over time it can absorb so much water as to become less effective, and in severe cases (because water boils off at a lower temperature than the working temperature of the fluid) the water may boil off causing braking problems.
At South Denver Automotive we offer comprehensive brake system maintenance, including brake fluid testing and exchange. We can inspect your vehicle’s brake fluid both visually, as well as using special tests that allow us to measure water content of the brake fluid. Once we ascertain that the fluid indeed needs replacement, we will replace it with fluid that matches the specifications provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
We invite you to call our Denver auto repair shop with any brake system concerns. Brake fluid testing can be performed at the same visit as an oil change, so to save you time, we recommend combining the two. Call us to make an appointment – our friendly service advisors will make you feel comfortable, and your vehicle will be in the hands of our nationally certified technicians – they are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). So if you have even a slightest concern about your vehicle’s brakes, or it’s simply time for an oil change, call today and make an appointment.