Author Topic: Brake Warning Light Coming On  (Read 2177 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Budgie

  • Dr. B Udgie - AWD FTW
  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 9411
  • Karma: +131/-33
  • Gender: Male
  • U12-U13
Brake Warning Light Coming On
« on: Apr 2, 2003, 09:07AM »
Hey guys.

This started happening a week or so ago.  When I go around a corner, turning to the right, by 'BRAKE' warning lights comes on for the duration of the corner, then goes off.

Now my old man had a look at the brake fluid level, and said it was very low (under or on the low notch or something).  Is there any specific brake fluid I should use for my car.  Has anyone else had a problem with this?

I'm going to check all my lines as well just to be safe.
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist

Offline aussie-gli

  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 1059
  • Karma: +17/-5
  • Gender: Male
  • CA20E GLi (1998 -> 2008) U12 TRX (2020 -> ...)
Re:Brake Warning Light Coming On
« Reply #1 on: Apr 2, 2003, 09:21AM »
I just use any old brake fluid.  You'll find that over time as your pads wear your fluid level will drop.  But check and make sure ur master cylinder isn't leaking... Might be worth bleeding the system while you're at it too...
Lisa: Dad, we did something very bad! Homer: Did you wreck the car? Bart: No. Homer: Did you raise the dead? Lisa: Yes. Homer: But the car's okay? Bart & Lisa: Uh-huh. Homer: All right then.

Offline noss

  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 13882
  • Karma: +278/-50
  • Gender: Male
  • great scott!
    • antrx
Re:Brake Warning Light Coming On
« Reply #2 on: Apr 2, 2003, 09:55AM »
ah, your actually supposed you use DOT4 brake fluid. it could be dangerous using a lower spec brake fluid.

http://polyfedelicio.us/imgs/ - free image hosting for whatever you like

Offline Budgie

  • Dr. B Udgie - AWD FTW
  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 9411
  • Karma: +131/-33
  • Gender: Male
  • U12-U13
Re:Brake Warning Light Coming On
« Reply #3 on: Apr 2, 2003, 11:20AM »
Ok DOT4 it is.  I just checked the master cyclinder, and it is right on 'LOW'.  Is this the brand 'DOT4' or a type?
« Last Edit: Apr 2, 2003, 11:22AM by Budginator »
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist

Offline noss

  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 13882
  • Karma: +278/-50
  • Gender: Male
  • great scott!
    • antrx
Re:Brake Warning Light Coming On
« Reply #4 on: Apr 2, 2003, 11:35AM »
no, there are different specifications of braking fluid. like DOT, DOT3, DOT4 & DOT5.

if you have the manual to your car, it will tell you what you need. i think its DOT4, it might be DOT3 as a minimum. but its not often that you find brake fluid lower than DOT4 these days.

as for brand names.. there should be names like castrol or valvoline and others to choose from. if you go to your local auto barn or supercheap, you will find plenty of brands to choose from, and it will say "complies to DOT4 standards" or whatever DOT rating it is.

http://polyfedelicio.us/imgs/ - free image hosting for whatever you like

Offline Budgie

  • Dr. B Udgie - AWD FTW
  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 9411
  • Karma: +131/-33
  • Gender: Male
  • U12-U13
Re:Brake Warning Light Coming On
« Reply #5 on: Apr 2, 2003, 12:17PM »
Alright.  Thanks for that noss.
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist

Offline aussie-gli

  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 1059
  • Karma: +17/-5
  • Gender: Male
  • CA20E GLi (1998 -> 2008) U12 TRX (2020 -> ...)
Re:Brake Warning Light Coming On
« Reply #6 on: Apr 2, 2003, 12:48PM »
Pretty much all off the shelf brake fluid is DOT4. DOT 3,4 and 5.1 fluids are all compatible and mixable with each other.

I'd still suggest u check for leaks on ur master cylinder if ur fluids are that low...  8)
Lisa: Dad, we did something very bad! Homer: Did you wreck the car? Bart: No. Homer: Did you raise the dead? Lisa: Yes. Homer: But the car's okay? Bart & Lisa: Uh-huh. Homer: All right then.

Offline noss

  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 13882
  • Karma: +278/-50
  • Gender: Male
  • great scott!
    • antrx
Re:Brake Warning Light Coming On
« Reply #7 on: Apr 2, 2003, 01:09PM »
yep. definately check fo leaks.

i wasnt trying to make u sound like a goose aussie_gli, i didnt realise until after i posted pretty much the minimum spec you can buy is DOT3/4

http://polyfedelicio.us/imgs/ - free image hosting for whatever you like

Offline Budgie

  • Dr. B Udgie - AWD FTW
  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 9411
  • Karma: +131/-33
  • Gender: Male
  • U12-U13
Re:Brake Warning Light Coming On
« Reply #8 on: Apr 2, 2003, 09:55PM »
Ok, filled it up tonight guys with some fluid we already had (DOT4) in the garage.

I'll see how it goes.  There was no leak I could see...

Edit- Seems to be all good!  No problems now.  Nothing is leaking.  Now to get that freakin' major service.
« Last Edit: Apr 4, 2003, 11:31AM by Budginator »
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist