RE: what liter and brake ind lights

["Mel Silva" <melsilva@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

ACK!  NEVER push old brake fluid back into the reservoir.  (Hey, I didn't
know this until a couple of months ago either, so I am just as guilty).  You
used to be able to do this before ABS systems but it is still not
recommended due to the hygroscopic nature of brake fluid (it absorbs
moisture from the air around it).  What should be done is the bleeders
opened at the calipers and then compress the cylinder so that the old nasty
brake fluid that had been living in the caliper is sprayed out all over your
paint.  Uh, on second thought since brake fluid eats paint, you should use a
collection tube and pan to catch all of the old nasty brake fluid and refill
the reservoir with new DOT 4 fluid (how crazy you want to go with the DOT 4
temperature rating is up to the individual).

Need more info? email me privately.

Mel
97 M3/4

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-bmw@domain.elided [mailto:owner-bmw@domain.elided]On Behalf Of
John Bolhuis
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 12:28 PM
To: bmw@domain.elided
Subject: Re: what liter and brake ind lights


On Wed, 27 Feb 2002, Paul Frederick wrote:

> Second question. I have two panel lights that come on(well one
> stays on).  The brake panel indicator looks like this (O)which
> stays on, and the other one that blinks on when I change gear is
> the brake fluid indicator. I looked at the brake fluid in the
> reservoir and it may be a little below the line.  My questions are
> does the (O) indicator mean that the brake pads are low and does
> this signal come from the brake pad wear sensor? Which brake fluid
> is best to use and if Iadd that little bit to the reservoir will
> it resolve turn the lights off?
>
> I don't have access to a lot of tools and I don't have a garage.
> So the most I can maybe do is take the wheels off and take a
> gander at the brake pads.

 Your brake pads are probably worn out, so the brake wear indicator is
lit.  Get the brakes serviced.  When they press the caliper pistons
back to fit the new pads, it will push fluid back into the reservoir
and the level will no longer be low.
 That being said, it's undoubtedly high time for a brake fluid flush
at the time of brake servicing as well.
 As for which light is which, and which fluid to use, owners manual,
owners manual, owners manual!

- --
 "It is an honor to be Cookie Monster."
   -Sesame Street spokeswoman Audrey Shapiro




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