How to Check for a Brake Fluid Leak in Your Vehicle

If you've ever applied your car brakes only to find them spongy and low, chances are your vehicle is leaking brake fluid. To avoid a disaster, you need to check for a possible leak. Follow these steps to check for a brake fluid leak in your vehicle.

Instructions

1

Locate your vehicle's brake master cylinder. Generally, it is mounted in the vicinity of the firewall at the back of your engine compartment.

2

Open the cylinder and check the level of brake fluid inside. The cylinder should be full. Some vehicles have a mark inside the cylinder that indicates a fill line.

3

Loosen the nuts that attach the master cylinder to the brake booster and look at the seal surrounding the push rod. It will be obvious if brake fluid is leaking.

4

Check your vehicle's caliper piston for leaks. If the piston seal leaks, it will leak brake fluid.

5

Examine brake hoses or lines connected to the piston for cracks. Moisture or water on your caliper may indicate a brake fluid leak.

6

Confirm that the cap to your vehicle's brake master cylinder is tight and that there are no leaks or signs of previous leaks.

7

Drive your vehicle onto a blanket, sheet or large piece of cardboard and tap your brakes hard several times. Look for signs of a brake fluid leak on the surface.

8

Watch for your red brake warning dash light to appear. This can indicate low brake fluid.