Brake fluid

My car has no brake fluid. I was told that I can't just put more in, because I probably have a leaky line. The car is old and has a lot of miles on it, so I don't want to put very much money into it. That being said, I don't really have enough money to get a new car either. Is it possible that my car just needs more brake fluid and there isn't actually a leak?

My car has 208000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The level of brake fluid in the master cylinder will slowly (very slowly) fall as the brake pads wear and the pistons in the caliper bores are pushed outward to maintain contact with the rotor. However, if you have to continually add brake fluid to keep the level adequate in the reservoir, then you have a leak. Leaks are not always costly to repair. If it is a hose, tube, fitting or cylinder the cost to repair is just the parts cost plus the labor. Your best bet is to simply have the leak identified and repaired and continue to use the car. If you want the leak source identified by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a brake fluid leak diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Brake Fluid DOT 3; 12 Oz.
Prestone – DOT 3 Brake Fluid: MAX Synthetic, Highest Grade, Superior Protection, 100k miles, 32 oz (Part No. AS410)
Genuine Toyota Fluid 00475-1BF03 Brake Fluid – 12 oz.
This is a high-performance brake fluid that has been developed exclusively for your Toyota and is suitable for all brake and clutch systems. All safety requirements from Toyota are met.
You can use DOT 4 where DOT 3 is called for, but not the reverse. Using DOT 3 in a DOT 4 brake risks boiling the brake fluid. Glycol-based fluid can absorb water over time, which leads to corrosion.
The primary differences between the two include the following: DOT 3 brake fluid will absorb less water than DOT 4 from the air over time, meaning you`ll need to have your fluid changed less frequently. DOT 4 brake fluid has higher dry and wet boiling points, making it safer for higher temperatures.
Synthetic DOT 4 brake fluid.
All DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 brake fluids are compatible with each other and with all systems. All polyethylene glycol-based fluids will not harm healthy rubber parts. Also, the additive packages will not damage or distort any rubber parts.
DOT-4: it is for conventional brakes and cars with an Anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Toyota-approved brake fluid can withstand high temperatures and is recommended for all Toyota brake systems.
Brake Fluid DOT 3; 12 Oz.
Mobil Brake Fluid DOT 3 is a high performance hydraulic brake fluid for use in automotive disc, drum and anti-skid brake systems and clutch systems.
Synthetic DOT 4 brake fluid.
Car braking systems are designed to use a specific type of fluid. So, the car should continue to use that particular type of fluid for the rest of its service life, specifically because the internal components of the braking system have been designed, selected and tested to operate with that particular fluid.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Low brake pedal and anti-lock brakes are not kicking in.
ANSWER : The brake pedal is working to stop the vehicle, but there may be air in the controller unit causing the ABS brakes to not function. I recommend bleeding the brake system from the farthest location from the master cylinder to the master cylinder including the ABS unit. If the brakes are still spongy after a full bleed, then the controller will need to be replaced. If you need further assistance with your brake pedal being spongy, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

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EPC light on 2004 Jetta. Code said brake switch faulty, but brakes lights worked. Replaced brake switch, now no brake lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing that pops in my mind beyond of what you have listed is perhaps the electrical harness attached to the brake switch. Perhaps the harness itself is damaged or you have an exposed wire, loose ground wire somewhere. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a brake lights not working inspection to help you diagnose this issue.

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No brake fluid is getting to the rear brakes
ANSWER : As far as the brake issue, yes, there needs to be a check to see if there is brake fluid entering into the proportional valve. If there is fluid supply to the valve but not out then the valve will need to be replaced. Any electrical faults in the rear ABS system are generally indicated with a light illuminated and if so, then the flash codes can be read out. But with no light illuminated then there most likely no electrical failures in the system. If the source from where the brake fluid supply cannot be located, then you may want to enlist the help of a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, to help with the diagnosis of your brake system.

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When I put my foot on the brake my back left brake light goes off, when I take it off the brake the brake light comes on
ANSWER : I would suggest trying to disconnect and reconnect the wiring to the rear lights. I have seen these older Toyota vehicles rear lighting short out on the lights themselves due to the way the light circuit was made on the lamp housing. Look at the housing circuit on the light to see if one is touching another, and that could tell you why it is malfunctioning. There could also be a problem with the brake light switch. If you are not comfortable dealing with wires, I recommend getting in touch with a certified mechanic who can look at your brake light issue for you to see what’s going on.

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Brake pedal has very little resistance
ANSWER : From what you’ve described, I’d advise you to not drive the vehicle and get the brakes bled out. It’s possible that you still have a brake fluid leak in this case.

I’d suggest having this looked at by a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, who can diagnose your brake system firsthand and bleed your brake system if necessary. Best of luck.

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Supportive bar attached to brake pedal interrupts proper braking process
ANSWER : It’s possible to have someone alter the brake pedal or adapt a brake pedal from a different vehicle. You may call around to some customization shops to see if anyone is interested in taking on the project. But first, I would try reaching out to the selling dealer with your concern – especially since it is a new model. Good luck.

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abs light on brake line broke have been replace I bleed brake line but brake pad still go to the floor now wheels lock up
ANSWER : Hello. If the brake pedal is going to the floor then that means that it is not building pressure. If the brake system has been fully bled and there is no air in it then most of the time it is a bad master cylinder or it can be caused by a bad ABS module. If the brake fluid was low and if air got into the system then the only way to properly bleed it is with a scan tool that would allow you to open and close the valves in the ABS unit. Air gets trapped in these easily if the brake fluid gets low. This can also explain why the brakes are locking up. I would usually use my scan tool to bleed the system out first before going any further. I would also scan the brake control module to see what it is reading as a fault. If there is no air in the system and if there is no prominent code then I would replace the master cylinder first. If you want to check out why your brakes are locking up, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair this.

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Brake sensor is to sensitive causing brakes to flicker while driving. 2005 Mercury Montego
ANSWER : Hi there – your brake light switch needs a minor adjustment. It is adjusted too "tight" or close to the brake pedal lever, or possibly has failed. Adjusting/replacing it will eliminate this flickering problem. I recommend a brake light isn’t working inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

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