Brake Fluid Refill

[grizwizwg]

I was refilling my coolant recently (details in another post) and noticed that my brake fluid appears to be low (reservoir right next to coolant). That is, I cannot see any up to the max line...not sure if the brake fluid has a color of any kind like the coolant does (bright yellow). If not, it might be harder to see.

My question is, can we just add more brake fluid like we do coolant, wiper fluid, etc.? I've never done that before, but if we can, this is the product I'm tracking:

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[Grumpy2]

Brake fluid is clear. It is VERY hard to see. I would suggest not opening that reservoir. Dirt and moisture are important not enter the brake system.

 

[Henry Ford]

Use a flashlight to shine through the reservoir and you'll be able to see the level.

It's probably fine. Brake fluid is only low if the brakes are very worn or there's a leak. Neither situation is very likely in a Lightning.

 

[grizwizwg]

Thank you both for the info! I'll leave the cap on the reservoir and shine a flashlight on it to see where the level is at. Even if low, I'll leave it to the dealership

 

[Heliian]

Also, check level with parking brake off.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Also, check level with parking brake off.

Why does the parking brake need to be off??

 

[TaxmanHog]

Why does the parking brake need to be off??

The electric servo's push the caliper piston from the inboard side, of both rear calipers, I don't think it'll change the volume in the reservoir by much, but it should go down slightly when the EPB is active.

 

[Marcelo Zanetti]

Both coolant and the brake hydraulic lines are "closed circuits", meaning if the level is bellow minimum (assuming that's marked on the reservoir), you might have a leak on the system.
The brake level goes down as the brake pads worn out and the calipers push out of their position, if you add brake fluid when that happens, most likely it will overflow the reservoir when you have to replace the pads and the calipers need to be pushed back.

 

[Lytning]

Both coolant and the brake hydraulic lines are "closed circuits", meaning if the level is bellow minimum (assuming that's marked on the reservoir), you might have a leak on the system.
The brake level goes down as the brake pads worn out and the calipers push out of their position, if you add brake fluid when that happens, most likely it will overflow the reservoir when you have to replace the pads and the calipers need to be pushed back.

Auto mechanics don't like it when owners add brake fluid for this reason.

 

[Maquis]

Both coolant and the brake hydraulic lines are "closed circuits", meaning if the level is bellow minimum (assuming that's marked on the reservoir), you might have a leak on the system.
The brake level goes down as the brake pads worn out and the calipers push out of their position, if you add brake fluid when that happens, most likely it will overflow the reservoir when you have to replace the pads and the calipers need to be pushed back.

I‘ve been doing brake jobs for 50 years. The easiest way to compress and retract the caliper piston is to open the bleeder valve. I’ve never had the reservoir overflow and, in fact, it’s normal to have to add a bit of fluid upon completion.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

But in the "Rust-Belt" the easiest way to break the bleeder valve is to try to open it !!
ask me how I know ...lol

 

[Ted23Lightning]

But in the "Rust-Belt" the easiest way to break the bleeder valve is to try to open it !!
ask me how I know ...lol

I feel ur pain lol

 

[Maquis]

But in the "Rust-Belt" the easiest way to break the bleeder valve is to try to open it !!
ask me how I know ...lol

By the time it gets that bad, the caliper probably should be replaced anyway.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Actually the best thing to do in our Salt-loving region is to apply never-seize to the bleeder threads when the truck is new-ish, and be sure the rubber covers are installed with a bit of grease. Then the bleeders don't 'rust-weld' into the cast iron.

 

[Firn]

By the time it gets that bad, the caliper probably should be replaced anyway.

Having lived in the rust belt I can tell you that many many cars have perfectly fine brakes years, even a decade or more, after the bleeder rusts up.

Heaven forbid that rubber cap falls off...

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