Kia Brake Fluid Maintenance: Importance and Schedule

How Brake Fluid Serves a Vital Function

The primary function of brake fluid is to sustain hydraulic pressure inside the brake lines. When you want your car to slow down, a stopping signal is passed from the master cylinder through the pressurized brake fluid to the calipers at each wheel’s brakes. 

If your brake fluid becomes contaminated by moisture or air, this hydraulic pressure diminishes, which could reduce your car’s stopping power. Without regular maintenance, rust can also form inside brake lines. It’s therefore essential to monitor your brake fluid’s condition and flush it periodically. 

How Often to Flush Your Brake Fluid

As a rule of thumb, most drivers should flush their brake fluid every 30,000 miles, which is usually every two years. During a flush, our technicians will remove the old fluid and then thoroughly clean the system; all contaminants, residue, and debris must be removed to ensure the fresh fluid stays clean. We’ll then put in fresh, high-quality brake fluid and finally test the brakes extensively.

Your Driving Conditions Matter

Brake fluid tends to wear down faster the more frequently it’s used. One reason for this is the heat that’s generated inside the brake lines each time you activate the brakes, which causes gradual deterioration. If your daily driving involves busy urban streets and traffic, you’ll be using your brakes more than someone cruising on the highway, so you’ll need to keep a closer eye on your brake fluid and flush it more often. 

Increasing the weight of your Kia with regular towing or extra cargo also increases the strain on your brakes. Aggressive driving with sharper slowing and cornering has a similar impact on brake fluid. Our technicians will take these factors into account when deciding how often to flush your brake fluid.

Signs of Degrading or Leaking Brake Fluid

For optimal brake fluid care, check your fluid once a month. To do this, you’ll typically be able to look at the transparent brake fluid reservoir to make sure the fluid isn’t low or significantly discolored. 

If your brakes ever feel spongy or lose stopping power from overheating, have the fluid checked by a professional right away. Sponginess in the brake pedal means the brake fluid in at least one of the lines is either contaminated or leaking. In this situation, check under your car, especially close to the wheel wells, for puddles of leaking fluid. 

For award-winning ethics in customer service, bring your car to Coughlin Kia of Newark in Newark, OH. 

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