i drive a 96 nissan maxima, first of all i havent had any troubles with the car but just recently i have had to change the brake fluid twice within the last 9 months. thought it was a leak but i was wrong. what could be the reason of this loss of brake fluid? what happens if you dont have enough brake fluid? i was driving today and my brake light has been on for a while. just bought new tires but while i was driving in very very light rain, i tried to make a right turn and my wheels locked up when i braked lightly, could this be because of my low brake fluid??

 

it could be that you dont have enough brake fluid... what happens is air will get in there and you will have to pump the brake several times quickly in order for the brake to close and be firm. Check for a leak behind the caliper. Theres a copper ring that acts as the washer from the hose line and the caliper and for me i had to change them after a while because i noticed significant brake fluid loss. Your brake like will come on when you are low on brake fluid. Dont know anything about your wheels locking up though. do you have abs?

 

If your losing fluid that quickly you have a leak or failed brake component.
Check your calipers very carefully, one may be weeping fluid.
Also check around the m/c for signs of fluid weeping.
Check brake lines & every fitting/joint on the system.

Next time the brake light comes on, CHECK THE SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY!
Don't just keep on driving it - seriously.

 

 

At the rate you're losing fluid, you would have to SEE fluid leaking someplace. Either around a caliper (or inside one of your wheels), or dripping from the master cylinder if that's the problem.

I guess you could have a leaking brake line too, in which case the fluid could be leaking almost anywhere. At any rate, you'd still see it dripping out.

 

If the fluid is just low but stays consistent and above the “low’ line, it’ll take more force to slow the car down but the car will still stop. If there’s a leak then you will have a tough time stopping b/c every time you push down on the brake you are exerting force and pushing more brake fluid out. It fluid level stays consistent (but above the ‘Low’ line then you prob just need to bleed all four calipers in the proper order. If you notice the fluid level getting low, I do not recommend you driving fast, if at all. It is a scary experience trying to stop and have the car plow forward. And if you don’t fix the small leak, it will become a big leak –I know.