Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front
and rear brakes —for the worse.
The braking performance expected
can change in many other ways if
the wrong replacement brake parts
are installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir
cap. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why
the fluid level in the reservoir might
go down:
•The fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
•A fluid leak in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the
brake/clutch hydraulic system
fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later the brakes and/or
clutch will not work well.Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are installed.
Add or remove brake fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added,
it can spill on the engine and
burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake fluid
only when work is done on the
brake/clutch hydraulic system.
When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 4-22.
9-28 Vehicle Care
