What Happens When ATF Is Added To Brake Fluid?

car brake


Mixing ATF with brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir or power steering reservoir is the worst thing one can do with the car. Automatic transmission fluid is a petroleum-based fluid that will swell up all the seals and O-rings in a brake system and leave them useless.

What is Brake fluid?

Brake fluid is the chemical solution that is used in the hydraulic braking system of cars. The purpose of brake fluid is to provide the brake system with smoothness and efficiency. This fluid turns the pressure applied on the brake pedal into pressure on the brakes. Without the brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir, it takes a lot of force to stop the car. Unfortunately, your brake system may not work if your brake system is out of brake fluid, and this can lead to car brake repair.

What is Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)?

Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF is a kind of fluid that is used in vehicles with automatic transmission. It is also used as a hydraulic fluid in the steering system and some modern manual systems. ATF is a petroleum-based fluid containing a variety of chemical compounds that aim to provide the required specifications of ATF. ATF oil is usually coloured differently, such a red and green, to distinguish it from other motor oils.

What components are at risk by adding ATF with brake fluid?

Every rubber piece in the brake system, which comes in contact with automatic transmission fluid, will potentially become trash. The components that can get seriously damaged are:

  • Master cylinder
  • ABS
  • Callipers
  • Wheel cylinders
  • Flex hoses and more

These damaged components need to be replaced right after a complete flush.

Midland auto care is providing the best services for brake repairing in the UK. Their experienced and expert technicians have been able to provide excellent customer service. They are offering comprehensive services for all models and makes.

What to do if you have added ATF in the brake fluid reservoir?

If you are lucky and just added an automatic transmission fluid to the brake fluid in a container, dump this mixture right away. If you have added it to a brake fluid reservoir in the car, suck it out immediately by using a vacuum kit or a pressure kit. Any rubber used in the brake system, such as hose, O-rings, and seals, etc., if come into contact with petroleum-based chemical will be damaged drastically. After a complete flush with clean brake oil, the master cylinder must be replaced.

However, depending on how far the contamination has migrated or how are you planning to remove it, you will have to replace the contaminated components. If the situation got worse, the replacement would be as small as just the master cylinder and combo valve. But if you are not so lucky, everything in the brake system will be replaced that has a seal in it. One thing to be remembered is that no seals in the brae system are compatible with any kind of petroleum-based product or ATF.

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