Brake Fluid Check: Procedure
CAUTION:
Brake fluid dissolves paint. Have clean towels and plenty of water standing by to wash spilled brake fluid off painted surfaces.
- Open the LH front door and lower the LH front window.
- Remove the rear underhood apron. See UNDERHOOD TRIM - REAR APRON ASSEMBLY - REMOVE AND REPLACE .
- Clean the area around brake fluid reservoir, and then remove the brake reservoir cap.
- Remove the RH front wheel. See WHEEL ASSEMBLY - REMOVE AND INSTALL .
- Use a plastic trim tool to remove the cover from the outer brake bleed valve of the RH front caliper, and then loosen the valve to allow a small amount of fluid out, then close the valve.
Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
- Combination Wrench 12 pt 11 mm
- Touch the square pad of the test strip to the fluid, and then gently shake the test strip to remove excess brake fluid, and start a 90 second timer.CAUTION: Make sure not to drip the excess brake fluid onto the vehicle. Wipe up immediately if necessary.
- After 90 seconds, compare the color of the strip to the color on the provided gauge to determine brake fluid quality.
- If the test strip square pad is darker than the 30 PPM color sample, a brake fluid bleed/flush is recommended, see BRAKE FLUID BLEED/FLUSH (MAINTENANCE) .
- If the test strip square pad is the same color, or lighter than the 30 PPM color sample, it is recommended to repeat this brake fluid check in 2 years.
NOTE: If the test strip does not clearly fall into a color category, always assume the worse condition of the fluid. - Torque the outer brake bleed valve, and then install the valve cover.
18.5 N.m (13.6 lbs-ft) (+/- 2 N.m)
Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
- Ratchet/torque wrench
- 11 mm socket
- Install the RH front wheel. See WHEEL ASSEMBLY - REMOVE AND INSTALL .
- Install the brake reservoir cap.
- Install the rear underhood apron. See UNDERHOOD TRIM - REAR APRON ASSEMBLY - REMOVE AND REPLACE .
- Raise the LH front window and close the LH front door.