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Break fluid level needs changing

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BobbyBobBob | 12:54 Thu 09th Sep 2010 | Motoring
9 Answers
Hi

Recently the red flashing light has come on the dashboard of my car indicating that the break fluid needs changing. I have never done this before and want to make sure I do it correctly. I have read somewhere that you need the correct DOT grade when re filling otherwise it will cause break failure.

So does anybody know what DOT grade is used for a FORD FIESTA ENCORE 1.3 YEAR 98?

Thanks.
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try your local halfords bobby they are very helpful, well my local one is!
That light almost certainly means that the level is low and not that it needs changing

Your enine bay probably looks a bit like this
http://www.team-bhp.c...-mo-13000km-e-bay.jpg

the brake fluid reservoir is the white one top right ( yours will probably be on the other side)

There'll be a min/max level and it will be low

You get a small bottle of DOT4 ( pretty much all cars will be DOT4 unless they're really quite high end ) and top it up

Job done - don't keep brake fluid for too long - it tends to go off

If the fluid level indicator light comes on again anytime soon take it to a garage because it will probably indicate a leak in the hydraulic circuit.

But as Bernie says Halfords will help you for a couple of quid or free if you're lucky
not come accross a warning light indicating it needs changing just low level, latest level brake fluid is DOT4 or DOT 5 on high performance vehicles, you WONT be sold the wrong spec !
Complete brake fluid change should be carried out every 'X' amount of years or mileage , in reality it hardly ever gets done, it should be checked for moisture content .
There are a few types of tester on the market but to be honest if in doubt its cheaper just to change the fluid !!
Question Author
thanks guys. I will get some DOT 4. I forgot to mention before, that the warning light was more of a flicker on and off. It wasn't a permanent red light. I noticed It tended to come on when going over speed bumps and applying the brake more.

I'll get some anyway

Thanks again.
really does sound just low, not sure if its applicable to your vehicle but a lot of early Fords had a small rubber disc/diaphragm on the master cylinder cap which quite often perished which allowed the float/sensor to give a false reading .
There will be max/min markings on the reservoir
Question Author
ok. Thats brilliant. Thanks for your help. One last thing, roughly how long have i got before i need to refill with brake fluid bearing in mind I only noticed it a couple of days ago. Only reason I ask is because my local Halfords is still quite a distance away, and I have seen some DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid 250ml on Amazon that I may order. Do they sell at garages??

Thanks
is your level low because the pads/shoes are getting very low & need changing, as the level will change also once new parts are fitted, if you don't know what your doing with brakes - then leave it to somebody who does please.
i would think most service stations/garages would sell it
Better still, hand your license back to DVLA and forget driving, you are a danger to have on the road.

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