Brake Fluid - Cadillac ATS 2017 Owner's Manual

Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign that brake
service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes may not
work properly. The braking
performance expected can change in
many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are installed
or parts are improperly installed.

Brake Fluid

The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with GM approved
DOT 3 brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. See Engine Compartment
Overview 0 286 for the location of the
reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
Place the vehicle in P (Park) or
Neutral with the parking brake applied
if equipped with a manual
transmission. On a level surface, the
brake fluid level should be between
the minimum and maximum marks
on the brake fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
A fluid leak in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system. Have the brake/
clutch hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it.
VEHICLE CARE
Do not top off the brake/clutch 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/
clutch 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/clutch hydraulic
system.
When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0 123.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at
307