Brake fluid is responsible for prolonging how long your anti-lock brake system works, ensuring your brakes don’t lock up while you’re driving, and maintaining your car’s overall health. Over time, your brake fluid will lose its integrity, and it will happen more quickly if you drive in a lot of stop-and-go traffic or use hard braking methods.
Signs You Need To Change Your Brake Fluid
There are several signs to look for when determining if it’s time to change your 2018 Mazda 3 brake fluid. Perhaps the most obvious one is that your ABS warning light comes on, as it usually indicates you need to check your fluid immediately. Another sign is that your brake pedal is not as responsive as it used to be. If you need to push harder or longer on your brake pedal to get your vehicle to stop, this is likely because the fluid isn’t pushing through the system the way it should be. Your brakes may also be noisy if they are low on fluid. Other signs to look for include vibrating brake pads, discoloration of your brake fluid, or a vehicle that pulls to either side while you’re driving.
How To Check Your Brake Fluid
One of the signs that your fluid needs changed is discoloration, but you’ll only notice that if you know how to check your brake fluid. New fluid is nearly transparent. Over time, the color changes. As dirt and debris enter your vehicle’s system, the fluid will turn red or dark brown.
Checking your brake fluid is not as hard as it sounds. First, open the hood and find the fluid’s reservoir on the master cylinder. Next, look for the “minimum” and “maximum” lines and determine where the fluid line is in relation to them. If you are close to or under the minimum line, you’ll need to schedule a brake fluid replacement service. Keep in mind that you should do this if the color is off, even if your fluid is within the necessary lines.
Mazda 6 Model
Factory requirements for the Mazda 6 recommend using a brake fluid that is DOT 4. The cost of replacement Mazda 6 brake fluid can be anywhere from a few dollars to $40 or more, depending on the quality of the fluid that you buy and how much you purchase at one time. If you are looking for an affordable option, Shop Pro DOT 4 fluid is on the cheaper side and often has positive reviews. Other popular brands include Prestone DOT 4 and Pentosin DOT 4.
Mazda 3 Model
Most of the time, people choose to use DOT 3 fluid for their Mazda 3s. While you can use DOT 4 brake fluid if it is compatible, it’s not typically necessary, especially if you change it every four years. This is because DOT 4 is most often used for racing or European cars. Prestone provides both DOT 3 and DOT 4 options for Mazda 3 brake fluid.
Mazda recommends its drivers change the brake fluid in their cars about every 30,000 miles. If you don’t drive often or far, you could go years without needing to change your fluid. However, if you drive a lot, go long distances, or drive in some of the aforementioned traffic patterns regularly, you’ll likely need to change the brake fluid more often.