Urgent advice needed.

[chesterpiglet]

I had winter tyres fitted yesterday & shortly afterwards the check brake fluid light came on. Maybe a coincidence or possibly a leak too. I have some MB Multi grade oil MB345 spec part number A 001 989 24 03 13 which I assumed would not be the same but then read that clutch & brake fluid are the same thing. It does not mention DOT 4 on the bottle at all. So before I buy some DOT 4 can I use this for a top up? I've now read they aren't so I will buy some DOT 4 MB 325.3 later. Many thanks. Rob.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

A 001 989 24 03 13 is the new power steering fluid. Chf

 

[alexanderfoti]

No 345 is chf 11s! Do not put this in your brake system.

Dot4 brake fluid is what you want, but do check that there are no obvious leaks. Brake fluid does not get "used up" so the only thing that will give a low level are very worn brakes or a leak somewhere at a hose or line.

 

[markjay]

Another potential (though less common) issue is a failed flexible hose, it will 'bulge' under pressure, thus allowing the reservoir level to temporarily dip below the minimum. However, in this case the brake pedal will also feel 'spongey'.

 

[chesterpiglet]

Many thanks for the replies. I topped it up today with DOT4 & will monitor it it over the next week. The pads are getting low so possibly that- it didn't take a lot of fluid to top it up so fingers crossed. My garage are very good & if they had spotted an obvious leak whilst the wheels were off I think they would have said.

 

[chesterpiglet]

It was just low fluid level- no fluid loss over the past 300 miles. Thanks again for the advice & comments.

 

[Smiley]

The most common cause of brake fluid loss on a 211 is rusty rear brake lines just in front of the rear wheels. It is pretty hard to see them because they disappear behind the body covers - your mechanic would not have noticed if he was not specifically looking. If the brake pipes have not been replaced and the car is used in winter then it is almost a certainty that they are either rusty or very rusty. It is worth removing the rear wheels and pulling the undertrays down a bit to have a really good look with a torch in there - if there is a leak it will be small atm and pooling in the undertray - better to catch it before the pipe gives up completely and the car needs recovering. The other weak spot is the front ones where they exit the engine bay into the inner wing - but they are easier to spot when changing wheels.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Winter tyres ? What country do you live in ?

 

[Montreal300]

Winter tyres ? What country do you live in ?

4 winter tires by Michelin. Canada

 

[Petrol Pete]

Ha! I went into Canada Tire Markhan a number of times a few months back Never has a business been so wrongly named as 'Canada Tire' , approx 15% of the floorspace dedicated to tyre sales/fitment. The rest ? just about everything else from scented candles to pots and pans.

Briliiant shop !!

 

[chesterpiglet]

I live in rural France where after 31st October Winter tyres(or carrying snow chains)are obligatory in certain areas plus my house is at 1300ft above sea level with the roads constant slippery mud baths.