2012 Buick Regal Owner Manual - Page 302

10-28 Vehicle Care There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go down: . { 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. The brake fluid level goes down because of normal brake lining wear. When new linings are installed, the fluid level goes back up. A fluid leak in the brake/clutch hydraulic system can also cause a low fluid level. Have the brake/ clutch hydraulic system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later the brakes will not work well. When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a low level, the brake warning light comes on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 5￿18. What to Add If the vehicle has DOT 3 brake fluid, as indicated on the reservoir cap, use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealed container. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11￿13. If the vehicle has DOT 4 brake fluid, as indicated on the reservoir cap, use only new DOT 4 brake fluid from a sealed container. It is recommended that the brake/clutch hydraulic system be flushed and refilled with new DOT 4 fluid at a regular maintenance service every two years. See Maintenance Schedule on page 11￿3 and Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11￿13. . Checking Brake Fluid The brake/clutch fluid can be checked without taking off the cap by looking at the brake/clutch fluid reservoir. The fluid level should be above MIN. If it is not, have the brake/ clutch hydraulic system checked to see if there is a leak. After work is done on the brake/ clutch hydraulic system, make sure the level is above MIN but not over the MAX mark. 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.