Skip to Content

Can Brake Fluid Get Low Without a Leak? (Answered)

Brake fluid is an important chemical fluid for braking systems in bikes or cars. The brake fluid helps to convert the force that you give to the brake pedal into a high pressure so that the brake works perfectly at the right moment.

However, as the brake fluid needs to continue the braking mechanism smoothly, therefore, the fluid can get low. Sometimes the fluid can get low if there is a leak and even it can get low without a leak.

Therefore, in this article, we have discussed the probable factors that can trigger the brake fluid to get low even if there isn’t any leak.

Can brake fluid get low without a leak?

The brake fluid can get low without a leak when the brake pad gets thinner or worn out as the brake fluid gets stored inside the calipers rather than the master reservoir. Also, despite the fluid having a high boiling point, it can also evaporate after receiving heat produced by the brakes.

The fluid of the brake is made up of chemical composition which converts the force that you put on the brake pedal into high pressure and that pressure triggers the braking mechanism to work smoothly at the right time.

As you can see, the braking fluid plays an important role in the braking system, therefore, you will need to refill them every time you take your vehicle to the service center.

The brake fluid can get low for many reasons. But most of the time, the fluid gets due to the leakage in the pipes or in the cylinder. However, except for leakages, there are other factors too that can make the fluid get low.

One of the main reasons that can make the fluid go low is if the brake pedal falls apart. Because of the pedal is worn out then the fluid will be stored in the calipers as the piston in the calipers will be displaced from its housing.

Therefore, the fluid will not be stored in the master cylinder reservoir and you will find the fluid low in ratio.

3 reasons brake fluid keeps getting low but no leak – What causes brake fluid to drop?

As we have already discussed, there can be various reasons due to which your brake fluid keeps getting low but there is no leak.

It is also very difficult to understand the other reasons why brake fluid keeps getting low because sometimes this can be due to complicated internal problems.

Therefore, we have noted some of the problems due to which your brake fluid keeps getting low despite having no leak:

Brake pads are worn out:

This is one of the major problems why brake fluid keeps getting low.

Because whenever the brake pads get thinner, the piston in callipers gets displaced from their housing, therefore, the fluid gets stored in the callipers rather than going into the main cylinder.

Due to which you will find the braking keeps getting low despite having no leak. Therefore, you should always change the brake pads whenever you take the vehicle to the service centre in order to avoid the problem.

Evaporation:

Sometimes the brake fluid gets evaporated due to the immense heat it receives from the braking system. Therefore, you should always refill the braking fluid whenever you are taking your vehicle for service.

Due to internal problems:

Sometimes the brake fluid can keep getting low due to complicated internal problems.

For example, old or dirty fluid can cause corrosion inside the cylinder, therefore, your braking fluid will keep getting low because the fluid will convert to rust.

Is it normal for brake fluid to get low? Does brake fluid get low?

It’s not completely normal for the brake fluid to get low unless there is a leak. Because the whole braking mechanism is equipped with high-quality parts. However, if there is any fluid loss then it is also completely normal.

Most times the fluid loss occurs if there is any leak inside the system. Because only and only if there is any leakage then it can cause fluid loss.

However, sometimes the fluid loss can happen due to evaporation of the fluid because of the heat it receives from the braking system.

As the braking system produces an high amount of heat, therefore, that heat can evaporate the fluid which will lower the ratio of the fluid inside the system.

Therefore, it is always recommended by the experts that you should always refill the fluid whenever you take your vehicle for servicing.

What happens when you have low brake fluid?

Well, if you have low brake fluid then it can cause unexpected problems to your vehicle. Most times you will lose the stopping power of the vehicle whenever you push the brake pedal.

Because the fluid signals the braking mechanism to stop whenever it gets the force from the brake pedal. Therefore, the loss of fluid will completely break the mobility of the braking system.

In addition, the brake light illuminates whenever your vehicle senses that the fluid is low in ratio. It is one of the major signs that your vehicle is low in the fluid. Also, your brake pedals will feel spongy whenever you push them downwards.

And when the brake pads feel mushy then you will need to put high pressure on your brake pedals in order to gain some stopping power.

What are the symptoms of low brake fluid?

There are many symptoms that can be seen due to low brake fluid. The symptoms can be both external and internal. Therefore, we have noted all types of symptoms that your vehicle will show whenever the brake fluid ratio gets low:

Brake light gets on:

Whenever the fluid in the brake gets lower, the brake light illuminates. Because the sensor in the braking mechanism sends signals to the braking light that the fluid ratio is low.

Then the braking light automatically illuminates sensing the fluid ratio getting lower. Therefore, whenever the braking light gets on it means the brake fluid ratio is low.

Brake pedal gets mushy:

The brake pedal will lose its stopping power whenever you put pressure on the brake pedal. In addition, the brake pedal will get spongy whenever put force on the brake pedal.

The stopping power of a bike or car will get low whenever the fluid gets low. Therefore, always check the brake pedals before taking your vehicle out because a spongy brake has a high risk.

Brake fluid is dirty:

One of the main symptoms that your brake fluid gets lower is due to the fluid getting dirty. The fluid becomes discolored whenever dirt starts to form in the brake fluid.

Always check the quality of the brake fluid whenever you are taking your vehicle to the service.

Brake pads fall apart:

Your brake pad will fall apart whenever the brake fluid gets low. The pads will get thinner as well as will get worn out.

As the fluid will stop working the brake pads will work manually to stop your vehicle which is why the brake pads will get thinner or will be worn out.

Can brake fluid evaporate?

Yes, the brake fluid can evaporate in some circumstances. The braking mechanism produces immense heat due to friction inside it. Therefore, whenever the brake fluid receives heat from the braking system, the fluid evaporates.

If the cylinder is an open system then there is a high chance that the brake fluid will evaporate. If the brake fluid is composed of alcohol or esters then the braking fluid will evaporate over time.

There are some chances that if the braking fluid gets old then whenever it receives heat from the braking system, it will immediately evaporate. Therefore, get a regular check up on your brake oil.

How to fix low brake fluid?

There are many ways you can fix low brake fluid and below we have noted simple ways you can fix low brake fluid:

Add brake fluid:

Low brake fluid means there is not a sufficient amount of fluid inside the braking mechanism. Therefore you will need to add more brake fluid in order to bring the braking mechanism back to its place.

Changing brake pads:

You can try changing the brake pads in order to solve the low fluid issue. Sometimes you can run your vehicle even with low fuel if your brake pads work fine.

Brake bleeding:

In brake bleeding, you will need to take out the air as well as the old fluid. Then you have to inject the new fluid through the pipes.

Final Thoughts:

Brake fluid can eventually get low despite having no leaks. Because sometimes the fluid gets lower due to becoming dirty, or the brake pads get worn out or even the fluid might get evaporated due to heat it receives from the braking mechanism or from elsewhere.