where is brake fluid reservoir ?

rogerdiaz · 02-11-2014, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46m3csl

dude dont give me your bullshit, just tell me where it is, first time owning a BMW and don't want to mess it up, can anyone post a pic of it, where everybody keep's telling me isn't that the steering oil the with the green cap

Lol awesome reply

Braumin · 02-12-2014, 11:13 AM

I know people kind of ripped on the OP, but it's true if you don't know about brakes, don't work on them. Back when I turned wrenches for a living, I was amazed at how many cars would come in where people put oil, or power steering fluid, in the brake reservoir, which of course destroys the entire system and costs a fortune to fix.

Plus, the system is sealed so the only way it should ever register as low is if your brakes are physically worn, so I'd check those first before putting any fluid in. If it had a leak you would know because your pedal would go to the floor.

mike3000fl · 02-12-2014, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braumin

I know people kind of ripped on the OP, but it's true if you don't know about brakes, don't work on them. Back when I turned wrenches for a living, I was amazed at how many cars would come in where people put oil, or power steering fluid, in the brake reservoir, which of course destroys the entire system and costs a fortune to fix.

Plus, the system is sealed so the only way it should ever register as low is if your brakes are physically worn, so I'd check those first before putting any fluid in. If it had a leak you would know because your pedal would go to the floor.

Exactly. That missing fluid is in the pistons on the calipers. If there is no light leave it be. Refill when you bleed at next brake change.

Efthreeoh · 02-12-2014, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike3000fl

Exactly. That missing fluid is in the pistons on the calipers. If there is no light leave it be. Refill when you bleed at next brake change.

I agree. Even if the brake pads are worn to the minimum spec there should be enough reserve fluid to not trigger the low fluid light. A low fluid light usually means a leak, or other issue with the system.

rotarymc · 06-06-2014, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENINTY

So the brake fluid reservoir is in the underhood area directly in front of where the brake pedal is in the driver's foot well.

Mostly true, but not always so. Some cars that are made in left-hand-drive countries but for sale in right-hand-drive markets (e.g. some French cars sold in the UK) keep the brake master cylinder on the right (as you look at it from in front of the car) even though the brake pedal is on the left (as you look from in front of the car). The pedal is connected to the master cylinder by a long steel tube going across the back of the engine bay. This is done to save money on retooling costs I presume.

sal_park · 06-06-2014, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I agree. Even if the brake pads are worn to the minimum spec there should be enough reserve fluid to not trigger the low fluid light. A low fluid light usually means a leak, or other issue with the system.

mod this up x10

OP - you need to find where this brake fluid has gone ASAP !

I really can't stress this enough. Personal I'd look at it (or take it to a garage) now, and not driving it until I know what's happening.

hth

sal_park · 06-06-2014, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotarymc

Mostly true, but not always so. Some cars that are made in left-hand-drive countries but for sale in right-hand-drive markets.

aka Mk1 VW Golf (in the UK anyway). Shockingly bad when the mechanical link between the pedal and master cylinder was a bit worn....

Efthreeoh · 06-06-2014, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotarymc

Mostly true, but not always so. Some cars that are made in left-hand-drive countries but for sale in right-hand-drive markets (e.g. some French cars sold in the UK) keep the brake master cylinder on the right (as you look at it from in front of the car) even though the brake pedal is on the left (as you look from in front of the car). The pedal is connected to the master cylinder by a long steel tube going across the back of the engine bay. This is done to save money on retooling costs I presume.

Okay, so I'll chime in that cars that originate in left-hand drive markets have the reservoir on the left side and cars that originate in right-hand drive markets have the reservoir on the right side. The principle is the same. BMWs, being the properly-engineered and expensive cars they are, would have a direct-connect brake system.

Cheers.

rotarymc · 06-09-2014, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Okay, so I'll chime in that cars that originate in left-hand drive markets have the reservoir on the left side and cars that originate in right-hand drive markets have the reservoir on the right side. The principle is the same. BMWs, being the properly-engineered and expensive cars they are, would have a direct-connect brake system.

Cheers.

Agreed. And the good news is that, being a properly-engineered car, my BMW does indeed have the master cylinder directly connected, even though the car is right-hand-drive.

ChaseDollas · 08-08-2014, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46m3csl

dude dont give me your bullshit, just tell me where it is, first time owning a BMW and don't want to mess it up, can anyone post a pic of it, where everybody keep's telling me isn't that the steering oil the with the green cap

Jesus dude. Calm down Tom and this other dude are trying to keep you from messing up your car. Don't get upset, because you are trying to service an expensive german automobile and theres a very good reason they have plastic covers over things like that. So inexperienced people like yourself with hardly any knowhow cannot service their cars. This is not billy jimbob ford truck america stuff we are dealing with. Best to consult a trained professional, or get trained before freeballing on your possibly 20k+ vehicle

Efthreeoh · 08-08-2014, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseDollas

Jesus dude. Calm down Tom and this other dude are trying to keep you from messing up your car. Don't get upset, because you are trying to service an expensive german automobile and theres a very good reason they have plastic covers over things like that. So inexperienced people like yourself with hardly any knowhow cannot service their cars. This is not billy jimbob ford truck america stuff we are dealing with. Best to consult a trained professional, or get trained before freeballing on your possibly 20k+ vehicle

Hummm... You really think a Ford pickup is THAT less engineered and uncomplicated as a BMW? You've heard of EcoBoost I suppose...

Maybe not.

Tom Moore · 04-16-2017, 06:40 PM

Yeah, like it's so obvious where things are in a bimmer--like the battery being in the trunk?

02-12-2014, 11:13 AM	#24
Braumin First Lieutenant 40 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Regina, SK, CAN iTrader: (0)	I know people kind of ripped on the OP, but it's true if you don't know about brakes, don't work on them. Back when I turned wrenches for a living, I was amazed at how many cars would come in where people put oil, or power steering fluid, in the brake reservoir, which of course destroys the entire system and costs a fortune to fix. Plus, the system is sealed so the only way it should ever register as low is if your brakes are physically worn, so I'd check those first before putting any fluid in. If it had a leak you would know because your pedal would go to the floor.
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04-16-2017, 06:40 PM	#34
Tom Moore Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Convertible Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Annapolis MD USA iTrader: (0)	Yeah, like it's so obvious where things are in a bimmer--like the battery being in the trunk?
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