Best Brake Fluid Tester For Maximizing Brake Fluid Life

Click here to see examples of brake fluid testers.
Click here to see examples of brake fluid testers.
Current automobile braking technology protects us from harm to a large degree. As drivers, we apply gentle pressure to the brake pedal, and the car slows with ease thanks in part to the brake fluid in your brake lines. Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that provides a medium to transmit the force applied at your brake pedal to the calipers of your anti-lock brake system (ABS). Most common brake fluids are composed of a glycol-ether base combined with additives to protect and maintain the integrity of the individual brake system parts. Brake fluid is also hydrophilic, meaning that it is attracted to water. This presents an inherent quandary: while glycol-ether does not generally decompose to a significant degree over time, the additives in brake fluid do tend to break down more quickly. The most notable additives are the ones that work to prevent rust formation within the braking system. When this additive starts to break down, brake systems can be subjected to increased corrosion.

Without inherent rust prevention, a braking system would be at the mercy of water exposure, and its life span may quickly deteriorate if corrosion forms in the brake lines. Thus it is recommended to flush and replace brake fluid about every 2 years or 24,000 miles on average (you should check your owner’s manual for the specific interval recommended by the manufacturer of your car). Maintaining excellent brake fluid condition is important for all vehicles on the road, especially for performance automobiles with high end braking systems. The ability to spot check brake fluid moisture levels is a great way to stay ahead of the maintenance curve (and potentially save you some money over the long term) when it comes to car care. It is important to utilize a high quality brake fluid tester, as moisture content may vary depending on brake fluid type, performance design of the car, and driving environment. By dipping brake fluid testers into the top to the fluid reservoir, any car care enthusiast can use accurate real time information to decide when brake fluid needs to be changed.

For a long time, chemical test strips to measure moisture and mineral content in brake fluid were essentially standard. However, test strips can be expensive for initial investment, ranging from $80 – $100 per case. In addition, the strips must be disposed of after they have come into contact with highly corrosive brake fluid (which by the way you should not let drip onto your car’s paint!). In turn, a more modern method has recently emerged: a Light-emitting diode (LED) brake fluid tester that is accurate, inexpensive, and reusable.

Best Brake Fluid Tester

powerbuilt brake fluid tester
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In light of that (don’t mind our pun), our pick for the best brake fluid tester is none other than the Powerbuilt 647626 LED brake fluid tester. This compact, lightweight (2.4 ounces), state-of-the-art device is designed specifically to detect the percentage of moisture in brake fluid. After exposing, cleaning, and removing the brake fluid reservoir cover, one has only to remove the protective cap from the device, dip the probes into the brake fluid, and read the instant results. Considering how easy the device is to use, brake fluid checks can become a routine monthly check along with your engine oil. The Powerbuilt 647626 LED brake fluid tester works for all vehicles that use Department of Transportation (DOT) 4 brake fluid, which is found in many modern cars and trucks.

The overall quality of the Powerbuilt brake fluid tester is good, with battery life lasting longer than expected. The tester sports a small housing that is roughly the size of a ball point pen. It also has a cap to protect the probes from damage, ensuring reliable use over the long term.

As far as where to buy, Amazon’s attractive pricing makes their price tough to beat and as such, we’d recommend starting your search there. Overall, the Powerbuilt 647626 LED brake fluid tester is a great investment, and we think you’ll be very satisfied. Happy wrenching!

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