2002 Civic EX Break Fluid Issue

I have a 2002 Civic EX with ABS. Approximately 10,000km's (6,000
miles) and 6 months ago the reservoir for the break fluid was at the
Minimum level, I refilled the reservoir to the max line and now it is
at the Minimum level again. This is the first car that I've owned
with ABS so I'm wondering if this is normal.

Also, does the type of break fluid that I use have any impact on
breaking performance. I was at my local automotive shop and noticed
the following types of break fluid, DOT3, DOT4, and DOT3 for ABS. Does
it matter which one I use?

Thanks!

 

"Sebastian" wrote

Don't break anything, ok?

 

Gimme a brake. ;-)

 

If you break your brakes, you're in trouble.

 

Not normal. ABS does not drink fluid any more than normal brakes. You
either have a leak or your brakes are quickly wearing down. You should
check several things:

1. look for fluid at the back of the master cylinder, on the face of the
power brake booster. If there is anything there, your master cylinder is
failing and needs to be replaced ASAP.

2. Check the brake pad thickness at the wheels. If the pads are less than
the minimum service thickness, you need a brake job.

3. While you are looking at the pads, look also for leaks in the wheel
cylinders, which also means you need a brake job.

Yes, it matters. The owner's manual, or a call to your local Honda dealer
parts counter will tell which you need for that car.

 

I think I might have had my mind on a Coffee Break when I posted this.

I hope you all know that I was really referring to the brakes on my vehicle :-!

 

No - it's not normal. The level goes down somewhat with normal brake pad
wear... from max to say about 1/3 the way up from the min level, until you
change the pads, when it should go back up again to the max. You must have
a leak and need to find out where. This could be a dangerous situation so
find it quickly.

In recent years, Honda recommends their own brand DOT3. Personally I don't
like it and continue to use a premium DOT4 fluid, like Castrol GTLMA or
Valvoline Synpower, as I always did before their new recommendations.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

DOT 4 brake fluid meets higher standards for dry and wet boiling
points than DOT 3, but is otherwise compatible with DOT 3 (and
will typically be labeled as both DOT 4 and DOT 3).

Don't mix DOT 5 brake fluid with DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.

 

This doesn't sound good. Cars with disk brakes will have the fluid level
drop as the pads wear. As the pads wear the pistons extend and more fluid
ends up in the caliper and this shows up as a level drop in the reservoir.
On most cars that I have seen, when the pads are completely worn, the level
will just be reaching the add more fluid line on the reservoir. That you
added fluid once already and the level dropped once again leads me to
believe that you may have a leak in your system. A brake systme inspection
is in order.

Yes it does matter. Read your owners manual to find out which one you need
to be using.

 

Thanks for your assistance!

When there is a break from the cold weather I'll have a look to see
if, and where, there is a leak in my braking system.

 

use DOT3 fluid. DOT4 fluid has higher boiling points but it also
absorbs water much more readily, and requires more frequent flushing
of the system.
DOT5 is great but really not neccessary, i use it it my care and
haven't replaced a hydraulic component in 220,000 miles but it does
fade at high temps.
Chip