Have you ever wondered, "How do vehicle brakes brake?" I’m sure you have, so let me break (tee hee) it down for you.

More vehicle Maintenance Tips Car Battery Care and Maintenance Brake Fluid How to Check or Change Your Vehicle’s Oil Flat Tires How to Measure Tire Tread Vehicle Warning Lights How to Check and Change Your Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) When to Change Your Transmission Fluid

So how does your brake system work you ask? When you hit the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid is used to transfer force into pressure, which amplifies the braking force. This is why you can gently tap on the brake pedal and have a large braking effect. [Insert some math equation here].

Sometimes when you’re driving, something might happen where you have to hit the brakes HARD to stop yourself from hitting something or someone.

How to Keep Your Brake Fluid in Check

Brakes are kind of important, so you want to make sure your brakes are always in prime condition. Let’s talk about how to do that.

You want to make sure your brake pads and rotors are always good to go. Some things are harder for you to keep an eye on, like the master cylinder or calipers. If you're ever having a problem with these items you'll need to consult a mechanic.

What you can do easily is make sure your brake fluid is always good to go! To do that, you’ll first want to check your owner’s manual to see what types of brake fluid is recommended for your car.

Next, keep an eye on your brake fluid reservoir to make sure it’s at the right level. To do this, simply remove the reservoir cap and make sure the fluid is at the designated line in the fluid reservoir.

If you notice that your fluid levels are always low, you probably have a slow leak. If this is the case, add brake fluid to the fluid reservoir and immediately get your car checked by a mechanic. One thing you do not want to go out on you mid-drive is your brakes, for real. Also your wipers on a rainy day. Pay attention to this stuff guys.

Another thing you'll want to do is get your fluid flushed/replaced about every other year and make sure you're replacing brake pads as they get low. You can check your owner's manual for exact recommended maintenance periods for your car. Keep those brakes in check.

How to Maintain Proper Brake Fluid Levels