What happened to it? Why and when to change the brake fluid
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Believe it or not, fried chicken can tell you a lot about brake fluid.
When you step on the brake pedal, you are applying about 300 pounds of force to your wheels. Doesn't look like it, does it? This is because your car's hydraulic braking system amplifies about 70 pounds of pressure per foot to the 300 pounds of force needed to bring the car to a safe stop.
Here's how it works: you press the brake pedal, which is connected to a lever. The lever pushes the piston into the master cylinder filled with brake fluid. As the piston pushes the brake fluid out of the master cylinder through the hoses that are already filled with brake fluid, the pressure builds up, pressing the brake pads against the brake discs with enough force to stop the car. And that's why you don't have to be a bodybuilder to drive at rush hour.
How your brake fluid breaks down
When the pressure on the brake fluid increases, it takes some of that energy in the form of heat. That's why the boiling point of brake fluid reaches 500 degrees Fahrenheit, although it usually only reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the temperature that chicken frying oil is heated to.
Fried chicken fans in North Carolina know that the quality and freshness of the frying oil makes the difference between a crispy, juicy drumstick or thigh and a wet, smelly porridge on your plate. If you've ever wondered about the mouth-watering flavors coming from Mama Dip's Kitchen, Dame's Chicken & Waffles, or Beasley's Chicken + Honey, we can guarantee it has a lot to do with their focus on regular fryer oil changes.
Oddly enough, the restaurant changes the oil in the fryer for the same reasons you should care about the freshness of the brake fluid. In the same way that small pieces of breading and frequent reheating degrade cooking oil, metal particles and moisture that build up in brake fluid lines and thermal decomposition will result in a wet, spongy feel when you step on the oil. your brakes.
Signs of the Times: How Often Should You Change Your Brake Fluid?
That wet, spongy feeling is the first sign that your brake fluid isn't as fresh as it should be. If you notice that your brake pedal moves farther and farther every time you need to stop, or that you need to push harder on the pedal to slow down, this is a sure sign that your brake fluid has been weakened by metal particles, moisture, and warm.
Luckily, you don't have to change your brake fluid nearly as often as a good restaurant changes the oil in a deep fryer. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive and the number of frequent stops you regularly find yourself in, the interval between brake fluid changes can be up to three years.
Keep brake fluid (and fried chicken) fresh
Of course, the best way to know when to change your brake fluid is to test it. Any time you bring your vehicle in for regular maintenance, it's a good time to have it inspected, and we'll do so as part of the digital vehicle inspection we run every time you visit.
essence? Don't let your brakes - or your fried chicken - get wet and spongy. If your car is over three years old and you find the brake pedal a little soft, give us a call. We will be happy to provide you with a free brake fluid test.
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