Brake fluid

Make

Audi

Model

A1

Section

Brakes, hydraulics, regulator, servo › Bleeding brake system › Brake fluid

Running gearBrake fluid

Brake fluid Brake fluid is hygroscopic, in other words it has the tendency to absorb water and moisture from the atmosphere.

The boiling point decreases as the water content increases, which means a considerable rise in brake fluid temperature can lead to formation of vapour bubbles and brake failure. The colour of the brake fluid becomes darker over the course of time. A dark brake fluid colour is not an indication of its condition. The change in colour is caused by chemical reactions and may occur within a short period (several weeks), particularly in vehicles equipped with ABS.   WARNING Rubber brake system components (rubber sleeves, seals) are not compatible with mineral oil, petrol and cleaning agents. Even minute quantities coming into contact with a seal or rubber sleeve will affect the component and could impair brake operation. The consequences of a contaminated brake system only become apparent months later, and then give rise to greater expenses, particularly in vehicles equipped with ABS.

A = Rubber sleeve (original size) B = Rubber sleeve (swollen due to the action of mineral oil) Summary of the above mentioned points: Always keep brake fluid containers properly sealed. This is the only way to reliably prevent the ingress of oil, dirt, cleaning agents and moisture. Brake fluid containers should be kept completely separate from oils (including hydraulic fluid) and cleaning agents to prevent any mixture of fluids or even filling of the brake system with an incorrect fluid.

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