A road trip can be taken to get to someplace special for a particular reason, or it can be taken just to get away from your mundane life, to do something different and seek a change of scenery. In either case, the trip can be an opportunity to explore the landscape up close and meet people at their own level.
However, a road trip is not to be taken lightly without preparation beforehand. One of the vital preparation tasks people who are planning a road trip should do is to put their cars up on jack stands and check that the vehicle is ready for a long journey.
If your car is not in the best condition before your trip, it may break down due to all the unusual use it is getting. This can be a troublesome situation under any circumstances, but it may be worse if you are far from home or it happens at night or during inclement weather.
While you’re checking all your cars’ major systems, don’t neglect the brake fluid.
What Does Brake Fluid Do For Your Car?
When you take your car on a long trip, you’ll almost certainly drive through areas in which the traffic laws are somewhat unfamiliar to you. The ability to stop quickly may help you avoid getting into an accident. To be sure you can stop your vehicle reliably, you need to check brake fluid before departing, replacing it as necessary.
Brake fluid serves two main functions. Like many other fluids involved in the operation of your vehicle, it lubricates moving parts and helps to keep them from wearing down. That is particularly important because the brakes operate under conditions of high friction and heat. However, its second, and more important function is to amplify the force that that you exert on the brake pedal with your foot so that it is sufficient to stop the car. The brake fluid is able to accomplish this because, like other liquids, it is noncompressible. In other words, even though the brake fluid moves like a liquid, it acts as a solid when under pressure, creating friction that slows the motion of the wheels until they eventually stop completely.
Why Maintenance Is Important
In theory, your hydraulic brakes are part of a closed system that should never allow any outside moisture in. In practice, however, the seals may be imperfect, the brake fluid cap may be left open too long, or microscopic holes may open up in rubber hoses. All of this can increase the water content in the brake fluid from exposure to the air. Excess water can cause metal in the brake lines to corrode, further contaminating the fluid. It can also reduce the effectiveness of the brake fluid by lowering its boiling point.
When the brake fluid is contaminated, it can affect the functioning of the brakes themselves. People often describe the pedal as feeling “soft” or “squishy,” sinking to the floor without offering much resistance. You may also notice that your brakes are less responsive and you cannot stop as quickly as you are accustomed to.
It is safest to check the brake fluid, and have it changed if necessary, before your trip. It is important to use the right brake fluid, and online parts retailers may offer a VIN lookup to help you identify what your vehicle needs.
