Car Trouble

[Fabkiwi06]

GRRRRRRRRR!

I'm currently driving a 2001 Subaru Outback AWD. It's a good car for the most part. It was my Grandma's and I bought it off her about a year ago when she upgraded. This past week, it's decided to give me nothing but headaches.

Last weekend, the break light came on. Crap. Took it to the mechanic on Monday. Was due for an oil change anyway. They said the break fluid was low and they topped it all up and said everything was good to go. Great.

Monday afternoon and Tuesday Morning (Today).. no problems. Got to my appointments. Got some gas. Great.

Was out running an errand this evening (Still Tuesday) and break light comes back on. GRRRRRRRR.

I don't think I have a leak... I'd notice if that much fluid was sitting under my car in the morning. Guess it's back to the garage tomorrow to see if they can find anything.

 

[kickingandscreaming]

Same thing happened to my 2001 Honda Accord (89,000 miles).  Break light on.  Took it in and they filled it with new fluid and relined the breaks.  A week later, light on again. Took it in and they found a tiny leak that was enough to trigger the light.  Fixed the leak. So far, so good. Fingers crossed.  Hope yours is as easy to fix.

[Charlie B53]

Brake systems should NEVER need fluid to be added unless there is a leak.

The reservoir is large enough to allow for brake pad wear.  As the brakes wear you will see the reservoir getting lower.  Rather than add fluid it is time to replace the brakes.  As the wheel cyl's retract the fluid is pushed back into the reservoir.   If fluid had been added this would cause a massive overflow and most brake fluids are high damaging to paints.

Brake fluid will age, accumulate moisture from the atmosphere and will corrode the insides of metal tubing, wheel cyl's.  Most factory service manuals recommend flushing the system clean to extend system life.  Most owners do not bother and simply wait until something fails and replace major parts.  Far more expensive.   I too am guilty.   And as a retired mechanic I know better.

[Simon Dog]

Give it a break folks, the term for the thing that stops your car is brake, not break.

[Charlie B53]

lol   Until your brakes break!   Then you go until something stops you.  Like a tree or another car.   Ouch!    That would cost far more than fixing the brakes before they fail.

[Fabkiwi06]

I'll be taking it in tomorrow - couldn't get it today. I know I'm chancing it a lot with driving around, but honestly I suspect it's an electrical issue as opposed to a brake issue. Had them checked thoroughly when I brought it in Monday. Still have plenty of pressure when I push the pedal. No leaks. Checked fluid level last night and it's still good.

I'll hold off on any drag racing for the time being, just in case 

[Chris]

If you do have a brake problem you can always use the engine to help slow the car down by down shifting out of (D)rive to a lower gear in an automatic while trying Emergency Brakes (Older cars with mechanical Emergency brakes/ Newer cars have electronic Emergency brakes and this may not work, just not sure). Shift to 2 then 1 when this is necessary. This can harm the transmission, but can save your life and more costly damage.