Brake fluid

Old brake fluid container
Brake fluid reservoir in a Škoda Fabia I
A tell-tale symbol indicating low brake fluid level

Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch applications in automobiles, motorcycles, light trucks, and some bicycles. It is used to transfer force into pressure, and to amplify braking force. It works because liquids are not appreciably compressible.

Most brake fluids used today are glycol-ether based, but mineral oil (Citroën/Rolls-Royce liquide hydraulique minéral (LHM)) and silicone-based (DOT 5) fluids are also available.[1]

  1. ^ "Chapter 7 : Basic Hydraulic System Theory" (PDF). Peterverdone.com. Retrieved 2018-07-06.