Let's talk about moisture first. Brake systems operate at a very high temperature, especially disc brakes. It is not uncommon for the disc rotors to glow red under severe conditions. It takes a specially formulated fluid (brake fluid) to be able to maintain its integrity under these high heat conditions. When moisture is introduced into the brake fluid, the boiling point of this fluid is lowered. When this occurs a phenomenon called "brake fade" happens. When this happens, no matter how hard you push on the brake pedal, you can't stop the vehicle. This can be mild to severe and is always dangerous. Now, you might ask how moisture gets into your brake fluid. Brake fluid is "hydroscopic", this means it readily absorbs H2O (water). Brake fluid reservoirs are exposed to air. Air has a relative humidity, that is to say there is H2O in the air, the brake fluid extracts H2O from the air due to its hydroscopic properties - it is an unavoidable natural process. Another side effect of "wet" brake fluid is that it has a greater propensity to corrode and "pit" metal surfaces leading to failure of expensive things like master cylinders, wheel cylinders and calipers, and of course, the very expensive "anti-lock" brake valves.

The second type, particulate contamination, is when solid matter forms in the brake fluid. This solid matter, when concentrated, resembles mud. It starts to form in wheel cylinders and disc brake calipers. It does this when the fluid is repeatedly heated and cooled. This contamination will migrate throughout the system and leave a dark film on surfaces. Brake fluid is naturally very light in color and when it becomes contaminated it gets very dark. This particulate matter is abrasive and will wear components that have moving parts. These components are things like master cylinders, wheel cylinders and calipers, and of course, the very expensive A.B.S. valves.

The benefits to you to have your brake fluid routinely flushed are tremendous! In my opinion, the most important is safety. You don't always get into "extreme conditions" but when you do, it is comforting to know your brakes will perform at their optimum capabilities if they are in good condition, including the fluid. The second benefit is to your hard earned money. It is always hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to fix a brake system that has failed due to fluid contamination. More and more auto makers are putting a brake fluid flush in their list of required maintenance. At QH Automotive we believe that every 12 months the brake fluid should be flushed on vehicles with anti-lock brakes and every 24 months for those vehicles without anti-lock brakes.

At QH Automotive we have the equipment to properly test your brake fluid for both moisture and particulate contamination.

Call (661) 949-8484 and make you appointment today!