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HAccord1

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2013 Honda Accord EX-L V6. I bought the car at around 40k miles and went ahead and did the full service at 45k miles to check everything and replace tranny and brake fluids and what not. Was just in getting my oil changed and they noted my brake fluid is “low”... well I checked it and the fluid is about mid-way between the max and min lines. At 45k miles my fronts had about 6-7mm and rears had 2mm, so my rear pads were replaced at that time. Today I have about 63k miles, it has been about 2+ years since I had that done.

I guess my question is - isn’t it normal for the brake fluid to fall over time as the brakes wear down? Also, I always thought it was normal over time for the fluid to fall between the maximum and minimum levels?

It was a Valvoline service center FYI.



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I'm pretty sure it's normal. My brother has a 2015 EX CVT and at 35,000 miles brake fluid was between min and max. For you it's at 18,000 miles so check for leaks on your driveway or garage when you park overnight.
 
And here is why it is "normal"- to a degree.....

As your brake pads wear down during normal service life, they become thinner. The brake fluid reservoir is connected to the brake calipers via the brake lines. In those brake lines at all times is the brake fluid. The brake pads rest onto the brake rotor.

As your pads wear down, your fluid level drops. You did not lose any fluid- it is just that the fluid level drops (still above the minimum line) to take up the space vacated by thinner pads. Some mechanics can make a "judgement" on the thickness of your brake pads simply by looking at your brake fluid reservoir level.

When you replace worn out pads with new, thick brake pads- you will notice that now the brake fluid reservoir's level suddenly rises! The thicker pads push the fluid level back up through the brake lines and back into the reservoir. Some mechanics such as Eric the Car Guy (search the YouTubes) even state that before you add new brake pads- you may want to remove some brake fluid out of the reservoir lest it rise and spill out- making a mess. This is why when my pads get near the end of their useful life- I do NOT add brake fluid to the maximum line so long as it is above the minimum level.

Also, Brake fluid is hygroscopic- meaning it will absorb moisture in the air. This is why you should bleed your brake fluid from each caliper every 2-3 years. Some can go 10 years and not have a problem- but the recommended Honda service is 3 years, maximum. You don't want moisture in your ABS system or calipers.

Never let the fluid get below the minimum line. In seconds- you can ruin your brake master cylinder by using your brakes when the fluid level is below the minimum line. That's right- just one press of the brakes with very low fluid- and you just bought yourself a re-manufactured master cylinder.
 
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100% normal. As the brake pads wear, the caliper pistons stick out closer to the rotor, the brake fluid has to fill that void. When you change your brake pads you push the caliper piston back in so the new pad will fit, then the fluid will then return to the MAX line. I hope that makes sense.
 
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