Black plate (21,1)
Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-8087807) - 2015 -
crc - 6/2/14
Vehicle Care
10-21
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.
The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.
A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{
Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
Checking Brake Fluid
The brake fluid can be checked
without taking off the cap by looking
at the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See
Brake System Warning
Light on page 5-16
.
What to Add
Use only new GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a sealed container.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-6
.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{
Warning
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.
