Constant control
With natural wear of disc brakes, the fluid level drops, even with a working brake system. The pistons of the brake cylinders of the wheels extend as the lining of the brake pads wears further and further out of the cylinders, and the fluid level decreases. A slow drop in the brake fluid level is therefore not an alarm.
If you know what level of brake fluid is set with new and worn linings, then by this indicator you can determine how worn out the linings are. If new brake pads are fitted, the pistons will sink again, causing the brake fluid level in the reservoir to rise. If the brake fluid was topped up when the pads were worn, then some of it, after installing new pads, can be squeezed out of the brake system through the air vent with the reservoir cap closed.
1. On the left in the engine compartment, directly on the main brake cylinder, there is a brake fluid reservoir.
2. In a white transparent tank, the brake fluid level should be between the marks «MINI» and «MAXI».
3. If the fluid level has dropped noticeably - which may also be indicated by the warning lamp on the dashboard - then it is necessary to check the brake system for leaks, see the next section.
Brake check
1. First, brake to a complete stop at walking speed.
2. By equally long rubber tracks on the road, you will see that braking is even. This also applies to vehicles with ABS, as the anti-lock braking device does not work at speeds below 7 km/h.
3. The same test is carried out for the parking brake.
4. To test the brakes at higher speeds, you need a flat area of the road.
5. Now at a speed of about 50 km / h with the steering wheel released, but in readiness to grab it, brake to a complete stop, first smoothly and then sharply.
6. If the car pulls a little to the left, then the brakes on the right are not working. The car always pulls in the direction of the more heavily braked wheel.
7. Let the Renault 19 roll down freely to see if the wheels turn easily.
8. After a test drive, check if the wheel rims on one side are hotter than on the other.