Hello. 

 

First post but have been getting a lot of useful information from the site since I purchased my Octavia estate back in the Summer. Was hoping someone might be able to help me with a query.

 

I got a warning message come up today saying something along the lines of "Brake fluid. Please consult manual." It came on briefly before disappearing.

 

When I got home I checked the manual for advice and found some instructions on checking the brake fluid level. Unfortunately there is no reservoir where the manual says there should be (next to the battery). There is a reservoir, however, over on the other side of the engine bay that says "DOT 4" on the cap. I am assuming this would be the brake fluid? If so, it looks as though the level is at the MIN mark, although it's a bit hard to see tbh and there is a plastic filter in the neck of the reservoir that means I can't see down into it.

 

I called my local dealer and they said they would get the service department to give me a call in the morning but I just wondered if this is something I could top up myself using a bottle of brake fluid from Halfords? I am not very mechanically minded, as it is probably obvious from this post, and would not like to take too many risks with the braking system but equally would be happy to remedy myself if it really is that simple.

 

The car is a 2014 Octavia CR Elegance 2.0 TDI.

 

Would welcome any advice!

 

Thanks.

Edited 22 October, 20178 yr by Octavian20TDI

DOT 4 is a brake fluid type you need to use, so that'll be your reservoir. Your manual is for some reason telling you where the reservoir is on left hand drive cars.

 

If you are struggling to see the level, take the cap off and shine a fairly low powered torch into it, it may help you see the level better. Anyway, if it is on or near MIN, no harm adding a little more regardless, just don't overfill.

 

It's an easy job, just take it easy and avoid getting brake fluid on paintwork.

Edited 22 October, 20178 yr by LightRain

Thanks LightRain. Just bought a bottle so will give it a go once the engine has cooled down a bit.

4 hours ago, LightRain said:

DOT 4 is a brake fluid type you need to use, so that'll be your reservoir. Your manual is for some reason telling you where the reservoir is on left hand drive cars.

 

If you are struggling to see the level, take the cap off and shine a fairly low powered torch into it, it may help you see the level better. Anyway, if it is on or near MIN, no harm adding a little more regardless, just don't overfill.

 

It's an easy job, just take it easy and avoid getting brake fluid on paintwork.

No harm in refilling, but the possibility of a lot of harm if the reason for the low level is not investigated.

2 minutes ago, Miz said:

No harm in refilling, but the possibility of a lot of harm if the reason for the low level is not investigated.

 

These days people don't check things like oil and fluid levels regularly, they just wait for a warning and then react to it so its probably just the pads wearing and the level has dropped slowly and nobody has ever thought to top it up.

 

Wouldn't hurt to look round the 4 corners to see if there is any oily residue around the wheels and brakes.