Brake fluid level and condition is a safety related item and it should be checked ANY TIME the hood is opened. Your vehicle should not use brake fluid rapidly (unless there is a leak in the system), but the level should drop slowly in relation to brake pad wear.
| Fig. 1: Level of brake fluid as measured on the reservoir
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| Fig. 2: Be sure to wipe off the brake fluid reservoir
cap and surrounding area before opening to ensure that no contaminants
enter the hydraulic system
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The master cylinder reservoir is located under the hood, on the left side firewall. All vehicles covered by this manual should be equipped with a see-through plastic reservoir. This makes checking the level easy and helps reduce the risk of fluid contamination (since you don't have to expose the fluid by opening the cap to check the level). Fluid should be kept near the FULL line or between the MIN and MAX lines, depending on how the reservoir is marked.
| Fig. 3: Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap being
careful not to allow any contaminants to enter the system
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| Fig. 4: Top off or fill the brake fluid reservoir to
the MAX level
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If it becomes necessary to add fluid to the system, take a moment to clean the area around the cap and reservoir. Use a clean rag to wipe away dust and dirt which could enter the reservoir after the cover is removed. If the level of the brake fluid is less than half the volume of the reservoir (and the brake pads are not approaching a replacement point), it is advised that you check the brake system for leaks. Leaks in the hydraulic system often occur at the wheel cylinders.
