Do It Yourself

How To Add Brake Fluid

While your Ford or Lincoln Dealership is always the best place for maintaining your vehicle, it never hurts to know how to do a few things on your own.
Your brake fluid should be checked and refilled at least once a year. If you have a little extra time and don’t mind rolling up your sleeves, here are a few tips for maintaining your vehicle’s proper brake fluid level.
Precautions

  • Brake fluid is toxic. Use with caution. Immediately wash any area of your skin that comes into contact with brake fluid
  • Never let the reservoir or master cylinder run dry; this could cause brake failure
  • Never substitute another fluid for brake fluid. Consult your Owner Guide for the specific fluid recommended for your vehicle
  • Stay away from the radiator fan(s) – they may turn on automatically, even after the vehicle engine is off

Checking your brake fluid

  1. Make sure the engine is off
  2. Locate the brake fluid combined reservoir(s)
  3. Clean the side of the reservoir with the fluid level lines and the cap to prevent dirt or water from entering while you service it
  4. Visually inspect the fluid level in the side of the combined reservoir(s)
  5. If your fluid is below the “MIN” line, open the reservoir cap and add brake fluid until the level reaches the “MAX” line. Do not overfill
  6. Contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership to have your brakes inspected by a professional as soon as possible – especially if your fluid level continues to go down or if your fluid is dark


  7. For more detailed information and illustrations on how to check and add brake fluid, be sure to consult your Owner Guide.

Brake service from the experts

If your vehicle brake fluid level is depleted, it is usually a sign of a larger problem. If you drive a manual shift vehicle in which the brake system and clutch system share a fluid reservoir, for example, loss of fluid could indicate a problem in your clutch.

That’s why you should always be sure to consult the Genuine Parts & Service experts at your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership. Their Ford Motor Company-trained technicians can identify any problems and take care of everything you need, all in one stop.

Schedule an appointment

What you’ll need

MOTORCRAFT® TESTED TOUGH® PLUS BATTERIES $89.95 MSRP.
MOTORCRAFT® TESTED TOUGH® PLUS BATTERIES $89.95 MSRP.
With 84-month warranty.
Expires 5/31/2013