This is especially important in vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction control, and stability control (ESP). Viscosity can be thought of as the thickness of fluid, or the resistance to flow. The problem is obviously worse in wet climates where humidity is high.įor reliable and consistent brake system operation, brake fluid must maintain a constant viscosity under a wide range of temperatures, including extreme hot and cold. The fluid attracts moisture through microscopic pores in rubber hoses, past seals, and exposure to the air.
Glycol based brake fluid starts to absorb moisture from the moment it is put in the hydraulic brake system or exposed to the air. Glycol-ether (DOT 3, 4, and 5.1) brake fluids are hygroscopic, which means they absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Most brake fluids used today are glycol-ether based. Vaporization is a problem because vapor is highly compressible relative to liquid, and therefore negates the hydraulic transfer of braking force which will result in the brakes failing to stop the vehicle. It must have a high boiling point to avoid vaporizing within the lines. Brake fluid is subjected to very high temperatures, especially in the wheel cylinders of drum brakes and disk brake calipers.
It works because liquids are incompressible.īrake fluids must have certain characteristics and meet certain quality standards for the braking system to work properly. Simply stated, when you apply your foot to the brake pedal, brake fluid transfers this force into pressure to the front and rear brakes and stops the vehicle. It is used to transfer force into pressure, and to amplify braking force. Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch applications in vehicles.
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