If you're having trouble researching and picking the most suitable brake fluid for your car, this post by MARLAND ENTERPRISES in Cazenovia delves into the basics of choosing the correct brake fluid.

Prepare your vehicle for the forthcoming months by choosing the correct brake fluid. Get in touch with the oil specialists at MARLAND ENTERPRISES in Cazenovia to learn which AMSOIL formula will optimize your vehicle's performance! Visit their website or give them a call at (315) 727-4645 to make an order.

The first brake systems for steam-powered wagons and vehicles used a block of wood in order to stop. By pressing against a metal ring that compressed the wheel, this motion generated enough friction to slow down as long as the vehicle traveled below 18.641 mph. Once materials such as rubber began to be adopted, wooden blocks became obsolete and gave way to the system invented by Gottlieb Daimler where a drum with a wire rope around it could slow down the vehicle. Subsequently, Louis Renault, founder of the French car manufacturing brand, began to use them in their cars around 1902. The applied system was exterior, so the brake system used to be exposed to water, dust, and other elements such as temperature, which could affect the brakes' performance, so they evolved into drums with inner shoes.

The First Hydraulic Brakes

Rumor has it it wasn't until the invention of disc brakes that there was a need to develop a hydraulic system to operate them. However, both disc brakes and drum brakes emerged in the same year, 1902. Manufacturers didn't use disc brakes extensively until the middle of the 20th century, when speeds increased dramatically, and it was necessary to cool down the system quicker to brake safely. In 1918, Malcolm Loughead noticed that mechanically operated drum brakes required more effort to engage, making them difficult for all people to use. He devised a system that applied hydraulic force to move a piston which, and in turn, would press the drum shoes towards the inside of the drum, reducing the speed of the tires. The system became so popular and simple to apply that by the mid-1920s, most automakers were offering fluid-activated brakes or power brakes.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is a solution whose primary function is to allow the force exerted from the brake pedal to be transmitted to the wheel cylinders, allowing effective braking. The brake fluid must be kept in good condition, and for this, owners must change it frequently. Usually, the brake fluid should be changed every 2 or 3 years, depending on how the car or motorcycle is used.

Keep your vehicle running strong by choosing the correct brake fluid. If you're struggling to find the right oil for your car, know you can give a call to the experts at MARLAND ENTERPRISES in Cazenovia to help you identify a formula that meets your car's needs. Call (315) 727-4645 or visit AMSOIL's website if you want to learn more!

Learn the Differences of Brake Fluids

The brake fluid in cars and motorcycles comprises different oils and chemical compounds that allow pressure transfer without compression. The brake fluid has a high capacity to transfer the heat generated by the friction between the brake pads and the discs or drums. Being a liquid, it can lose viscosity or even boil as it heats up. This can affect the pressure it generates, so the different grades are designed to withstand different temperatures and thus keep running.

Liquids with a Higher DOT Number

These formulas will be the most resistant to temperature. They will be less likely to boil and leave the system unusable. These are primarily used in high-performance vehicles or in those that have to support the high weight. As the number decreases, so do the boiling point of the brake fluid. Also, the speed and weight requirements should decrease if you decide to add lower-rated brake fluid. The only recommendation would be to follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the grade you should use. The following tip would be to stay within the legally established speed limits and never exceed the weight limits of your vehicles to avoid having brake problems. If you follow these two rules, the probability of exceeding the boundaries of the recommended liquid decreases significantly.

Lastly,

Maintain the brake system properly, and add brake fluid as needed. If you want to know more about the maintenance of your car and all its components, visit the AMSOIL store or call an authorized dealer in your area.

Contact the friendly oil pros at MARLAND ENTERPRISES in Cazenovia before choosing the correct brake fluid to find great alternatives for vehicle maintenance!

For instance, AMSOIL's DOT 3 and DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid, it's a formula that grants the greatest ABS and stress control to keep your vehicle working in its prime condition. Also, don't forget to give them a call to place an order at (315) 727-4645, or visit AMSOIL's website to get acquainted with their products!