Brake Fluid Replacement in Caterham
Compare Brake Fluid Replacement deals from garages in Caterham & book online
Loan Car
Collect & Deliver
Customer Drop-off
Vehicle servicing, repairs, MOT and recovery services in Caterham, Warlingham, Whyteleafe, Kenley, Purley, Croydon, Surrey and Sussex. DK Autos specialise in all aspects of vehicle repairs, servicing and MOT’s, with 24hour recovery breakdown service. We offer a vehicle collection and return servic...
Loan Car
Collect & Deliver
Customer Drop-off
Elite Garages are one of the South’s leading independent tyre, MOT and car service operators with a turnover in excess of £53 million and around 240 employees. Elite Garages is a family-run company covering the whole of the South and South East of England. The company recently celebrated 50 years ...
Loan Car
Collect & Deliver
Customer Drop-off
Family business offering complete care for your car from Sales and MOT to Service and Repairs. A one-stop-shop for all your car needs. Friendly family run business with a strong emphasis on customer service and value for money. With many combined years mechanical knowledge we are more than willi...
What is brake fluid?
Car brakes on your car use fluid pressure to work. When a car’s brake pedal is pushed, a plunger in the brake’s master cylinder pressurises the brake fluid that resides in the hoses and pipes to make the other components of the braking system move.
How long does brake fluid last?
This varies from car to car, but most manufacturers suggest booking a brake fluid replacement at least every couple of years. Although the fluid is in a sealed system, moisture can still find its way in. It corrodes components over time and decreases the temperature at which the fluid is supposed to boil.
Furthermore, as the internal components of the braking system wear out, debris contaminates the fluid, jamming everything up. All of this impacts on how well the brakes function, particularly in constant stop-start traffic with heavy braking and can lead to expensive brake repairs.
What are the possible signs that a car needs new, or more, brake fluid?
- If the brakes on a car feel in any way as though they are not functioning correctly.
- When the car’s brakes are spongy when pressed.
- When fluid is new, it has a light amber colour to it, so that is what to look out for.
- As the light amber fluid darkens, which is a sign of contamination, the need to change it increases.
- If the fluid ever becomes darker than brown, or even black, then it should be changed immediately.
How long does it take to change brake fluid?
- The fluid can be easily replaced in around 15-30 minutes, depending on the vehicle.
How much does brake fluid cost?
- The fluid is relatively inexpensive, certainly compared to the cost of replacing a corroded master cylinder, so it’s important to keep an eye on it.
- The cost can vary from vehicle to vehicle but should be less than £50.
How can you save money (and the environment) while you drive?
As every garage owner will tell you, there are some tried and tested ways to cut down on your petrol costs (and consumption) while you’re out and about in Caterham or beyond. One is to shut your windows. If you can hear that wind noise in your car it’s costing you more to drive. This is because the car becomes less aerodynamic and has to work harder to motor along. Removing a roof rack will improve your fuel efficiency for the same reason. Another useful tip is to combine short trips into one; each time you drive after your car has been parked for a while the engine will be cold and need to use a lot more fuel for the first 5 miles or so. If you do one trip from school drop-off to supermarket to office you’ll use far less fuel than if you do all those trips individually.
Featured in:
