Caution: Brake fluid can damage eyes and painted surfaces of the vehicle if it comes into contact with the vehicle. Do not use brake fluid that has been exposed for a long time or is more than one year old. Brake fluid tends to absorb moisture from the air, which can degrade its properties and lead to a dangerous loss of braking system performance.
25. The brake fluid reservoir is located in the rear left side of the engine compartment (5 in Section 1 illustration). The transparent walls of the reservoir allow you to observe the level of the brake fluid from the outside. To warn of a low brake fluid level, there is a corresponding warning lamp in the instrument cluster (see Chapter 13 "Controls and methods of operation"). However, it is recommended to check the fluid level regularly.
26. The brake fluid level with the lid closed should be between the marks "MIN" And "MAX", applied to the front wall of the tank. Make sure that the level does not fall below the mark "MIN".
27. If the level is low, first wipe the top of the reservoir and the cap with a clean rag to prevent dirt from entering the brake system after removing the cap. Add liquid to the correct level, but do not overfill.
Note: Do not top up the brake fluid level to the mark "MAX", if the brake pads are not new, otherwise after replacing the pads, the fluid will pour out of the reservoir.
28. While the reservoir cap is removed, check the condition of the brake fluid and reservoir. If there are rust particles, dirt or water droplets, the fluid should be replaced. After bringing the brake fluid level to the correct level, make sure that the cap is installed evenly to avoid fluid leakage and dirt entry.
29. The brake fluid level will drop slightly as a result of worn brake pads. There is no need to add it as long as the level remains near the mark "MIN", - it will rise after replacing the pads. A very low level may indicate worn brake pads - check them (see Section 8).
30. If the brake fluid level keeps dropping, check the entire brake system for leaks immediately. Inspect brake lines, hoses and fittings along with calipers, wheel cylinders and brake master cylinder (see Section 8). Brake fluid on manual transmission models is also used in the clutch actuator, so the clutch lines and master cylinder should be checked for damage or loose connections.
31. If the reservoir is empty or almost empty when checking the brake fluid level, the brake system must be checked for leaks and bled (see sections 8-9).