Parking Brake Light

[nfpgasmask]

Well, this morning I popped the hood to check the oil and I also checked the brake fluid level, and sure enough, it is down to the "ADD" line.

So I will add some fluid in there today. Does it matter if I add DOT 3 or DOT 4? A previous mechanic used DOT 4 fluid in there but I am not 100% sure what is in there now.

Any suggestions on what fluid to get? On the way to work the BRAKE light was lit up most of the way...

Bart

[rowhard]

Insert 2 cents
Bart, be careful with adding fluid. If and when you do a brake job, and you press the pistons back into the calipers for the new pads, you will pump brake fluid all over the place, and paint and brake fluid don't like each other. When was the last time you did a brake job anyway? Usually, (if you don't have a leak somewhere) when you brake reservior gets low, it kind of means your pads are getting close to needing to be replaced, they kind of engineered it that way.

[nfpgasmask]

Hey, I had my brakes done last March or April, so I would be surprised if the pads were worn out already, but it certainly is possible.

I just filled up the reservoir, do you think I should soak some out with a wrag?

Thanks - Bart

Insert 2 cents
Bart, be careful with adding fluid. If and when you do a brake job, and you press the pistons back into the calipers for the new pads, you will pump brake fluid all over the place, and paint and brake fluid don't like each other. When was the last time you did a brake job anyway? Usually, (if you don't have a leak somewhere) when you brake reservior gets low, it kind of means your pads are getting close to needing to be replaced, they kind of engineered it that way.

[Ldub]

I just filled up the reservoir, do you think I should soak some out with a wrag?

Thanks - Bart

If you filled it to the "full" line, you should be OK...Rowhard was referring to: when you replace pads, you have to compress the piston (what makes the calipers squeeze) & the displaced fluid has to go somewhere...which means it'll backflow back into the reservoir causing it to overflow.

[nfpgasmask]

Cool, thanks Dub. I drove to work today with no light and everything seems sound and happy!

Thanks everyone,

Bart

If you filled it to the "full" line, you should be OK...Rowhard was referring to: when you replace pads, you have to compress the piston (what makes the calipers squeeze) & the displaced fluid has to go somewhere...which means it'll backflow back into the reservoir causing it to overflow.

[rowhard]

When you say last March or April, do you mean 2007? I sure would be wondering why your brake fluid was down to the add level, but just my 2 cents again

Hey, I had my brakes done last March or April, so I would be surprised if the pads were worn out already, but it certainly is possible.

I just filled up the reservoir, do you think I should soak some out with a wrag?

Thanks - Bart

[nfpgasmask]

Yes, 2007, and yes I am wondering the same thing.

Now that I filled it, I will watch the level and see if it goes down. I don't understand why the fluid level dropped either, I have had no puddles under the truck or anything lately....

Is it possible that I have just worn my pads down? I am running the R1 Pads which I think suck pretty bad. I want to get some stock pads soon.

Bart

When you say last March or April, do you mean 2007? I sure would be wondering why your brake fluid was down to the add level, but just my 2 cents again

[cyronman]

Is it possible that I have just worn my pads down? I am running the R1 Pads which I think suck pretty bad. I want to get some stock pads soon.

Bart

(trying not to change the subject here)

But are they actual R1 pads? Or a different brand supplied by R1?

Reason I ask is I recently noticed R1 supplies AXXIS pads, which worked rediculously well on my Subaru, and I was thinking of getting some for the VX.

Thanks

[nfpgasmask]

Well, I am not really sure. I bought the R1 Drilled/Slotted rotors and brake pad package from them a while ago. I don't know the actual brand of pads they sent me. All I know, is that I am not very happy with them. They don't stop me quick enough on the downhill. There have been several hair raising incidents where I was standing on my brake pedal...no good.

Kenny said he had the same issues until he replaced his pads with stock pads.

Bart

(trying not to change the subject here)

But are they actual R1 pads? Or a different brand supplied by R1?

Reason I ask is I recently noticed R1 supplies AXXIS pads, which worked rediculously well on my Subaru, and I was thinking of getting some for the VX.

Thanks