2014 Chevrolet Spark EV Owner Manual - Page 247

Vehicle Care Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts. When parts of the braking system are replaced, be sure to get new, approved replacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes might not work properly. For example, installing disc brake pads that are wrong for the vehicle, can change the balance between the front and rear brakes - for the worse. The braking performance expected can change in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake parts are installed. 10-11 Brake Fluid hydraulic system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later the brakes will not work well. Do not top off the brake 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 hydraulic system. The brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT 4 brake fluid as indicated on the reservoir cap. See Underhood Compartment Overview on page 10-6 for the location of the reservoir. There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go down: . Checking Brake Fluid The brake fluid can be checked without taking off the cap by looking at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level should be above MIN. If it is not, have the brake hydraulic system checked to see if there is a leak. After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make sure the level is above MIN but not over the MAX mark. 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 hydraulic system can also cause a low fluid level. Have the brake .