2006 Suzuki Reno Owner's Manual - Page 193

SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE Adding Washer Fluid Brakes Brake Fluid Your brake master cylinder reservoir is located near the back of the engine compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle. It is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid. See "Engine Compartment Overview" in this section for the location of the reservoir. WARNING If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot enough. You or others could be burned, and your vehicle could be damaged. When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake warning light will come on. See "Brake System Warning Light" in section 3. What to Add When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only. See "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants" in section 6. Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area around the cap before removing it. This will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir. Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer fluid until the tank is full. CAUTION • When using concentrated washer fluid, follow the manufacturer's instructions for adding water. • Don't mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system. Also, water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid. • Fill your washer fluid tank only three-quarters full when it's very cold. This allows for expansion if freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if it is completely full. • Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your windshield washer. It can damage your washer system and paint. There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your brakes won't work well, or won't work at all. So, it isn't a good idea to "top off" your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid won't correct a leak. If you add fluid when your linings are worn, then you'll have too much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add (or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system. WARNING With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake system, your brakes may not work well, or they may not even work at all. This could cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid. 5-18