Brake fluid plays a crucial role in the safety of your vehicle by transferring the pressure you apply to the brake pedal to the actual brakes. Without it, your brakes simply wouldn’t function, and as everyone knows, a car without brakes is incredibly dangerous. Even slightly compromised brakes can pose a serious risk.

Brake fluid has a tendency to absorb moisture over time, which can compromise its effectiveness. Brake systems generate high temperatures, and brake fluid is specifically designed to have a high boiling point to prevent it from evaporating. However, when too much moisture builds up, the boiling point is lowered, making the fluid more prone to boiling under heat. This can lead to reduced brake fluid levels, ultimately affecting your vehicle’s braking performance and increasing stopping distances.

Why Is Brake Fluid Replacement Necessary?

In addition to reducing effectiveness, moisture-contaminated brake fluid can lead to corrosion within the braking system. Over time, this can damage components such as the callipers, wheel cylinders, and anti-lock braking systems (ABS). Regular replacement helps to extend the lifespan of these parts and maintain optimal braking performance.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it actively absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment, even through microscopic openings in the brake system. This is why regular maintenance is essential to ensure safety.

Your vehicle’s manufacturer will specify how often the brake fluid should be replaced—typically outlined in the logbook service schedule. At Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre, we recommend replacing it every two years as a general guideline. However, it’s equally important to have it checked during each routine service. A professional mechanic can assess the moisture content in the fluid and check for any leaks or other signs of wear that might require earlier attention.

How Often Should Brake Fluid Be Replaced?

Yes, at Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre, we provide a comprehensive 65-point vehicle inspection upon request with every full service. This includes a detailed review of your brake fluid, master cylinder, front and rear discs and pads, callipers, cylinders, and more. Our expert mechanics will assess the condition of your braking system and notify you if the brake fluid needs replacing or if any additional brake system repairs or maintenance are required. Regular checks can catch problems early, ensuring your safety on the road.

Maintaining your brake fluid is an essential part of car ownership, and neglecting it could lead to costly repairs or, worse, compromised safety. If you’re due for a brake fluid replacement or simply want peace of mind, book a service with Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre in Lithgow. Our team will make sure your braking system is in top condition, so you can drive with confidence.

Learn why brake fluid is essential for your vehicle’s safety, how it works, and why regular maintenance by Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre is crucial for optimal braking performance and to prevent costly repairs.

Brake Fluid: What It Is and Why It Matters

Brake Fluid: What Is It and Why Do You Need It?

Do you drive an Automatic vehicle? Then you might not even be aware that there is a clutch in your vehicle. Without it, the gears in your car will not change.

Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre in Lithgow know all about repairing and servicing these systems including clutches, cables and fluids. Learn more below.

The clutch is one of the most important elements of your vehicles driving operation. Your engine is what causes your wheels to spin, but what happens when your car needs to stop? The engine shouldn't stop spinning but the wheels need to. It's the clutch that allows this to happen. The clutch allows the transfer of power from the engine to the wheels to be interrupted while a gear is being changed or while the car is stationary and the engine continues to run.

Some vehicles have hydraulic clutches - when you press the clutch pedal, the clutch fluid moves the pressure from the pedal through to the clutch and disengages the power transmission. Leaking clutch fluid can cause all kinds of problem in your vehicle so it is very important to monitor it regularly. At Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre in Lithgow we check your clutch fluid, hydraulic system or clutch cables for you in the course of our free 65 Point Vehicle Inspection - which you can request as part of every car service.


You should have your clutch inspected if:

What signs to look for if your clutch is not performing

You notice a burnt ‘toast' or ‘burning rubber' smell in your car, or smoke from under vehicle

Your vehicle is slipping out of gear for no reason

Your clutch is not disengaging fully, or your clutch is sticking or shuddering

If your clutch is showing any of the problems above - it could mean any number of faults. Clutch problems are difficult to diagnose by symptoms alone because many issues cause the same symptoms, depending on the vehicle and type of engine. The best way to deal with clutch shuddering, slipping or noise is contact your local mechanics at Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre today.

We can perform clutch diagnostics, service and repairs on most makes and models right here in our Lithgow workshop.

The clutch is one of the most important elements of your vehicles driving operation.

Grinding Gears? - It could be your Clutch Fluid

Are you noticing that your car is becoming unsteady while turning corners or failing to stop as quickly as before? A Safe-T-Stop test will help identify any potential problems with your brakes or suspension. 

Here at Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre in Lithgow, we take your safety seriously, which is why we have invested in a sophisticated Safe-T-Stop testing machine and are proud to be an approved Safe-T-Stop Testing Centre

By choosing to trust your family's safety to a Safe-T-Stop test, you can be assured of receiving an extra inspection, which goes far beyond a simple check and road test to provide an accurate and precise evaluation of your vehicle's braking performance. 

This is made possible through the PlateTronic test equipment, which measures and simulates brake performance under actual emergency stopping conditions.

Along with the added security of knowing that your vehicle will come to a stop quickly and safely in the event of an emergency, having a well-maintained braking and suspension system will also save you money due to the reduction in tyre drag and wear, which in turn leads to lower fuel consumption. 

After the Safe-T-Stop check, you will be provided with a detailed printed report to enable our certified technicians to make any necessary adjustments.

Safe-T-Stop - Committed to Safer Motoring

Find out more about Safe-T-Stop Testing at http://www.safetstop.com.au/

To ensure that your car is running as safely as possible, book a Safe-T-Stop test online or call Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre today.

Your car's braking and suspension play an important role part in making sure that your car stops quickly and safely. Here at Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre in Lithgow we take your safety very seriously. This is why we have...

Safe-T-Stop Brake Testing in Lithgow

As your local Mechanic in Lithgow, Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre take great pride in offering only the very best in car servicing and automotive repairs.

Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre (MVRL27800) specialise in car servicing for all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre are a Carline Exhaust Centre and specialise in service and repair of exhaust systems for all types of vehicles, including Truck Exhausts.

Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre don't just perform Muffler and Exhaust work as the name might suggest.

With extremely fast turn around times, Hick's Automotive & Exhaust Centre are very well equipped to provide a full range of car service and automotive repair services. Such services include brakes and clutches, tune ups, lube jobs, engine replacement, fuel injection servicing, radiator service and suspension work, diesel repairs, suspensions & tyres, just to name a few. Engine Reconditioning can be arranged if that is required.

If you are looking to have a vehicle inspected you may be interested in our Roadworthy Inspections or our 150 Point Comprehensive Vehicle Check. 

All major brand tyres are also available for purchase onsite, making it a one stop shop for your car service needs.

If you are looking to have a vehicle inspected you may be interested in our Roadworthy Inspections or our 150 Point Comprehensive Vehicle Check.

Our fully qualified log book servicing ensures your car is in safe hands. Our Lithgow workshop is well equipped to provide quality car service and repairs on all models... including four wheel drive and Diesel vehicles. 

Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre are a locally owned, family run business established in 1984 by Brian and Christine Hicks, with the aim of providing professional, prompt and courteous service. 

A common phrase heard in Lithgow is "Hix will Fix". This is because Brian is the type of mechanic who believes that cars of any age can be kept in good condition without costing you an arm and a leg.

He always gives sound advice and offers solutions based on lateral thought and a common sense approach to solving automotive problems, not the ease of the job or the profit to be made. 

Brian and Christine are understandably proud of the reputation of their Lithgow workshop and they know it is their "Human Touch" approach to business which keeps satisfied customers coming back.

Not only do customers repeatedly come to have a car service or automotive repair carried out, they regularly recommend Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre to friends and family as an honest and trustworthy mechanic. 

As a  Repco Authorised Service centre, we have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care. Our Business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech.

 training program, ensuring each mechanic is kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. All of our work is fully backed by the Repco Nationwide Warranty , which covers quality Repco parts and labour. and is supported at over 400 Repco Authorised Service Dealers Australia wide.

So you can simply rest assured - your car is in safe hands with Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre.

For friendly service from a trusted independent mechanic, you can rely on the service team at Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre. 

The team at Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre (MVRL27800) are committed to excellence. As a Repco Authorised Service Centre we provide high quality customer service and superior workmanship, ensuring our customers receive the very best in automotive care.

Automotive Servicing and Repairs plus Exhausts and Mufflers in Lithgow

When it comes to brakes, you should never wait until brake repairs are necessary.  

Proper testing and routine checkups, such as our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection which we provide with all full car services, are important to ensure your vehicle's brake system is in top condition. Our expert team of technicians will be happy to advise you when they suspect that service or repair of your brake system is indicated to stop it becoming a bigger issue.

Brake services we perform at Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre include:

Brake Disc/Rotor and Drum Resurfacing or Machining

If you recognise any symptoms that your car's braking system could possibly need service or repairs simply book online with us and have the brakes of your vehicle assessed through our Lithgow workshop today.

When it comes to brakes, you should'nt wait until brake repairs are necessary, get tested regularly.  

Brake and Clutch Service in Lithgow

Brake and Clutch

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AUVIS

Hicks Automotive Car Service, Repairs & Exhaust Centre (LIC# MVRL27800), take great pride in offering our clients with personalised and friendly service at all times. 
		
Conveniently located in Lithgow, our business participates in the AutoTech training program, ensuring all of our technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle diagnostics and service methods. 
		
Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre have a wealth of experience in servicing fleet or farm vehicles. 

As a Repco Authorised Service centre, we provide the highest quality workmanship and combine this witn good old fashioned customer service.

Hicks Automotive & Exhaust Centre

Brake and clutch

Related articles

Brake Fluid: What Is It and Why Do You Need It?

Grinding Gears? - It could be your Clutch Fluid

Be a Smooth Stopper With Safe-T-Stop!

Car service in Lithgow