GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: MrJollygood on 07 September 2018, 12:42

Title: Brake fluid
Post by: MrJollygood on 07 September 2018, 12:42
Hello,

The brake fluid on my MK7 Gti PP looks to be towards the lower end of the scale - where's the best place to purchase some more to top it up with?

Thanks in advance,

Greig
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: Watts on 07 September 2018, 14:51
I doubt it'll be specific to VW so check the manual and buy where ever is convenient. I assume it hasn't dropped suddenly?
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: SRGTD on 07 September 2018, 18:56
@MrJollygood, based on the details in your signature, your car is a 2013 model, so it’s around 5 years old. VW brake fluid change intervals are;

- first change; at 3 years old
- after that, every 2 years

So your car’s due a brake fluid change. Rather than top it up, I’d be inclined to get the brake fluid change done as it’s due, then monitor the fluid level and if it drops again, get it investigated.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: Talk-torque on 11 September 2018, 07:13
Check your rear brake pads and discs, too. If mine are typical, which evidence on here suggests they are, you will find them very worn and the reason for the fluid level drop.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: Gnasher on 11 September 2018, 08:45
... and if you top it up and then go to change the pads, you'll then need to siphon some off from the master cylinder.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: willni on 31 July 2021, 08:15
Reviving an old one here.

My brake fluid reservoir went from about half full to zero in the reservoir at all, now has a little bit in it. Going to get some DOT4 from VW to top it up and monitor it for leakage.

Any special way to top it up in the mk7 with the electric handbrakes? Assuming flat ground, handbrake off and in DSG in neutral?

Edit - My rear brake discs never fully 'clean' themselves even on spirited drives with heavy braking periods, so never look shiny like they should, feeling like this could be linked.

Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: madstaff on 31 July 2021, 10:12
Willni, providing the fluid hasn't fully disappeared fully out of the master cylinder reservoir just top up as normal.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: Finglonga on 31 July 2021, 14:06
Before you top up check your Pads for wear because as they go down the fluid will also fall. Never needed to top mine up with fluid at all.

As for the rear discs I presume you have a PP with the bigger Front Discs so the rears are hardly used and the faces never get use to clean them properly. The inside of the disc on mine was much worse than the outside but VW say it is normal.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: willni on 31 July 2021, 16:22
Nevermind folks I was being silly, put a torch to the reservoir and it was at level. I've never seen a tank hide the actual level of the fluid before!
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: Carbon VW on 31 July 2021, 17:18
Opening the cap and looking into the bottle helps too  :grin:
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: willni on 31 July 2021, 19:24
Opening the cap and looking into the bottle helps too  :grin:

There's a yellow cap inside and didn't have pliers  :whistle:
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: martin998877 on 09 August 2021, 11:50
Before you top up check your Pads for wear because as they go down the fluid will also fall. Never needed to top mine up with fluid at all.

As for the rear discs I presume you have a PP with the bigger Front Discs so the rears are hardly used and the faces never get use to clean them properly. The inside of the disc on mine was much worse than the outside but VW say it is normal.

I think the rear brakes are used by the adaptice cruise control when slowing down more rapidly than just coasting, so ACC use should keep the rear disks clean.