Just do it and let us know. Whether it could or not isn't an issue. That'* the most important system on your car and it'* underfilled.

Your brakes are the most important right now.

But be sure to check the level in the radiator itself when the engine has cooled by taking off the radiator cap. See if your coolant level there is up to the cap itself.

On the master brake reservoir the max full level is within a quarter inch of the top flat surface on mine (2003). If yours is half full, it'* far below that level. Might be turning your light on.

If the fluid'* that low it may mean your brakes have worn a lot of depth off and you're about ready for new pads.

Yea my max line isn't to far from the cap..

I'm going to check my brake pads tomarrow since tomarrow is my full day of cleaning/fixing car..

Low fluid could be an indication of several things...could be one or a combination of these things:

1) Normal pad and lining wear. The thinner the linings, the more fluid is needed to actuate the brakes.

2) Leakage. Most likely the rear wheel cylinders, but calipers (the brakes up front) have been known to leak as well...though not as often.

3) Internal hemoraging. The master cylinder starts leaking fluid internally, and starts going into the brake booster. I've seen this happen to old Fords and AMCs.This however makes its presence known in other ways...typically a sinking pedal when you depress it.

If this is an all of the sudden case, start checking all four wheels for leakage. Also check those pads and shoes. Or better yet...find a brake shop that does free estimates or free brake checks.

Ok, tomarrow I'm going be doing alot with the car and I'll take the wheels off and check the pads pretty good and also drop it off somewere to get a free estimate..

Well I filled it up today to the MAX line and what do you know it...no more light!


Thanks everyone!


Quick question though, is there a way I can drain the brake fluid container? I'm going clean my engine bay tomarrow due to this crappy rain, and that thing is nasty looking! So I was thinking about draing it and then cleaning it then refilling..Is there a way I can drain it and take it off to clean it? Or is this a heck of alot of work?

Drain away if you feel like bench-bleeding your master cylinder (off the car) and a full 4-wheel bleed job.

Yes, you can remove the reservoir, but you stand the real possibility of introducing air into the system, so unless you want to bleed the brake, I wouldn't recommend it. If your fluid looks that bad, you may want to consider a total flush of the brake lines.

Did you find the cause of your low brake fluid? Are the pads dangerously worn, or have a leak somewhere? Those are the only reasons the fluid would be low. Please inspect your brakes before you have a problem stopping the car.

I'm going to check the pads tomarrow since the weather was crappy...So toamrrow after class I'm going to jack it up and take all tires off and do a full expecting job..

and for the break tank, its just really dirty and I don't like how it looks...So brake flush will clean it? And when I flush it what all do I do?

You flush the brakes by running brake fluid through each line, until it runs clear. Use the same procedure (it'* posted here several places, so do a search if you don't know how) as bleeding the brakes. The difference is that you stop when the fluid is clean...not when the bubbles stop.