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Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Brake Fluid Substitute For Emergencies
Are you in an emergency and need brake fluid but are far away from where you can buy it? If so, read on, and I will have a solution for you.
Key Takeaways:
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- Emergency Brake Fluid Substitute: In a dire situation where brake fluid is unavailable, water and soap can temporarily substitute. It is the safest option compared to alternatives like diesel, which can damage the braking system.
- Temporary Nature: While effective, this solution should only be used in the short term and with caution. Excessive use can cause the solution to overheat, potentially damaging the brake system.
- Immediate Action Required: Once proper brake fluid is available, the soap and water solution must be flushed out, preferably at a repair shop. The shop should ensure no water remains in the system to prevent damage.
- Avoid Other Fluids: Using other fluids like engine oil, power steering fluid, or transmission fluid in place of brake fluid can result in catastrophic brake failure.
In this post, I will share information about how to make brake fluid for emergencies.
Remember, although the solution I am about to share with you has proven effective many times over if you choose to use it, you are responsible for any unintended consequences of your action.
With that said, let’s begin.
The Best Brake Fluid Substitute For Emergencies
If you are in a situation where you urgently need a brake fluid product, and you are not in a position to get it, you will need to use something else as an alternative. Because brake fluid has almost the same consistency/ viscosity as diesel, some people usually siphon their diesel and use it as brake fluid oil.
However, this usually results in a disaster because diesel and most petroleum products usually destroy the rubber seals in brake pads. So if you think diesel or any other petroleum product is a good brake fluid substitute, you should stop now. The best brake fluid substitute is a water and soap solution.
A water and soap solution is the best emergency substitute for brake fluid because it is easy to make. Many people have water and soap in their cars or homes. If you are in the middle of nowhere and start walking, you will most likely be able to find water and soap in the first house you see along the highway.
It is also the best emergency substitute for brake fluid because, provided it is not left for long in your brake system, it will not corrode it or cause rusting. It is also easy to flush out. So, when you get proper brake fluid, you can easily remove it or add it.
Another brake fluid substitute is radiator water alone if you cannot get your hands on water and detergent.
How A Solution Of Soap And Water Works As Brake Fluid
You can use soap/ detergent and water to make an emergency brake fluid. The solution will work well as a brake fluid substitute because the soap will seal lubrication, while the water will provide the fluid action/ hydraulics.
This solution will boil if you apply brakes frequently when using it as brake fluid. Therefore, if you use a soap and water solution as a brake fluid substitute, you should only use your brakes when necessary.
Use engine braking instead of actual brakes to avoid boiling the solution. Furthermore, if you are going a long distance, you should stop frequently and let the solution cool to avoid causing damage.
Once you reach somewhere where you can get proper brake fluid, remove all the soap and water from your system. Or better yet, get your car to a repair shop to flush the water out.
A good repair shop will also use methylated spirit, carb cleaner, or EFI SYSTEM cleaner to ensure no water remains in the system before putting in new brake fluid.
The new fluid is usually replaced after 24 hours, and another fluid is added. Once this is done, your braking system will be 100% back to normal, and you can resume driving and braking for as long as you normally do.
Before using a soap and water solution as a brake fluid alternative, you should be sure it is the only option left. Because while the solution will work, sometimes it may require you to replace the rubber parts of your system to ensure your braking system is back to 100% normal.
Therefore, if you can get real brake fluid, please do so. Only use a soap and water solution if you are off-grid and far from civilization. The best thing to do when stuck in the middle of nowhere with a brake fluid problem or any other car problem is to call a towing service.
There are many towing service companies in most Western countries. If you can access this page and read this info in the middle of nowhere, you surely can do a quick Google search to find a cheap towing company and hire their services.
So, only use the soap and water solution as brake fluid.
How To Make And Use A Soap And Water Brake Fluid Emergency Substitute
Follow the steps below to make an effective brake fluid substitute in an emergency. Read all the instructions before using the solution.
- Remove The Old Brake Fluid
There is usually some brake fluid in the system. Please remove all of it before making and introducing your brake fluid substitute. Flush the fluid out if you can.
Removing old brake fluid and cleaning it up will avoid interaction between the oil and the water/ soap solution you will introduce. The interaction will most likely negatively affect your braking system.
- Mix Soap And Water
The mix should be around 40 percent detergent and 60 percent water. After mixing the two, shake them thoroughly to ensure the solution is completely mixed and ready for action.
- Add The Solution Just Like Brake Fluid
After making the soap and water solution, add it just like you will add normal brake fluid.
- Use Your Brakes Sparingly
While the soap and water solution will make your brakes work almost like normal, you should only use your brakes sparingly. The objective of doing this is to avoid overheating the solution and the system.
- Flush Out The Solution
Once you return to civilization, you should get the solution flushed out at a reputable repair shop to ensure it does not damage your braking system.
Can I use engine oil for brake fluid in an emergency?
Absolutely not! You cannot use engine oil for brake fluid in your vehicle’s braking system, even in an emergency! While engine oil and brake fluid are both vital to your car, they serve completely different purposes and have distinct chemical properties.
Using engine oil instead of brake fluid can lead to catastrophic failure of your brakes, putting your safety at serious risk. Brake fluid is specifically designed to handle the high pressures and temperatures in the braking system, while engine oil is meant for lubrication. Don’t mix them up—your life depends on it!
Can you use power steering fluid in place of brake fluid?
Using power steering fluid instead of brake fluid is a recipe for disaster! These two essential car fluids serve entirely different purposes. Brake fluid is designed to handle the braking system’s intense pressure and high temperatures, while power steering fluid ensures smooth steering.
Mixing them up can lead to catastrophic car damage, jeopardizing your safety on the road. Remember, never use power steering fluid instead of brake fluid if you want to keep your car running smoothly and safely!
Can I use transmission fluid for brake fluid?
You CANNOT use transmission fluid for brake fluid! Although both are vital in transmitting power within a vehicle’s system, they serve different purposes and have unique properties. Brake fluid is specially formulated to withstand high temperatures and maintain consistent viscosity under pressure, ensuring your brakes function properly.
Transmission fluid, on the other hand, is designed to lubricate moving parts and cool the transmission system. Using transmission fluid for brake fluid could lead to catastrophic failure of your braking system, putting you and others on the road at serious risk! Keep these fluids strictly separate to ensure your vehicle operates safely.
What happens if you put water in the brake fluid?
Oh no! Adding water to your brake fluid is a recipe for disaster! Water lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid, which can cause a vapor lock—steam in the system—that could lead to complete brake failure. Imagine pressing the brake pedal and nothing happening!
Plus, water can cause internal rust and corrosion, wreaking havoc on your braking system. If water somehow gets mixed in, don’t wait—get a full brake fluid flush immediately! And a quick tip: never mistake transmission fluid for brake fluid; they are entirely different, and mixing them up can cause even more problems!
What happens if you put the wrong fluid in the brake reservoir?
Imagine the chaos if you put the wrong fluid in the brake reservoir! Brake systems are meticulously engineered to use hydraulic fluid designed specifically for their needs. Substituting with transmission or power-steering fluid—though they may seem similar—can lead to disastrous consequences!
These fluids can wreak havoc on the brake system by attacking the seals, causing them to deteriorate and become ineffective. This damage can quickly escalate, compromising the integrity of the entire brake system and potentially leading to catastrophic brake failure. The importance of using the correct fluid cannot be overstated.
Putting the wrong fluid in the brake reservoir endangers your vehicle, safety, and others on the road. So, always double-check and ensure you use the right hydraulic fluid to keep everything running smoothly and safely!
Summary
A solution of soap and water is the best emergency alternative for brake fluid. This is because it works. However, it would be best if you used it only when necessary because it also has the potential to damage your braking system.
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