Chrysler PT Cruiser Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(936)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(936)

Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection Service

How much does a Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Chrysler PT Cruiser Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2006 Chrysler PT CruiserL4-2.4L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2004 Chrysler PT CruiserL4-2.4LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2008 Chrysler PT CruiserL4-2.4L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2005 Chrysler PT CruiserL4-2.4LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2007 Chrysler PT CruiserL4-2.4LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
2001 Chrysler PT CruiserL4-2.4LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2008 Chrysler PT CruiserL4-2.4LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2006 Chrysler PT CruiserL4-2.4LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Chrysler PT Cruiser Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection prices

Your car requires several different fluids in order to operate. Engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and coolant are all essential. Another important one is brake fluid. Like other fluids, your brake fluid will deteriorate over time and eventually need to be replaced with a brake system flush. If you’ve noticed that your brake fluid appears black or brown, it’s well past time for a service.

How this system works:

Your brakes are operated by fluid pressure. The master cylinder and brake booster work to create pressure, which is then directed to the moving parts of the system (the calipers and shoe actuators). In a normal system, the brake fluid is clear or very light gold in color. This is true whether your car requires DOT 3, 4 or 5 brake fluid.

Brake fluid is held in the master cylinder reservoir, but it is also stored in the brake lines that run from the master cylinder to each wheel. You have two types of brake lines – steel and rubber. Over time and through normal use, brake fluid becomes contaminated. This happens on all vehicles, even brand new ones.

It requires only a couple of years for the fluid to build up enough contaminants that the color begins to change. It will darken over time, changing from clear/golden to a darker gold. In severe situations, your brake fluid may appear to be brown, or even black (think used engine oil).

It’s important that your brake fluid is changed regularly, before it turns brown or black. Very dark colors indicate that your fluid has collected a significant amount of contamination, and might have absorbed moisture, as well. This reduces the system’s ability to build pressure, which compromises your braking performance. You may have noticed that your brake pedal feels softer, or spongy. In serious situations, you may have to pump the pedal a couple of times for it to work properly.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Normal Aging Gone to the Extreme: The most common reason that brake fluid appears brown or black is that normal aging has gone unchecked (you haven’t had the fluid changed in too long). Contaminants collect in the fluid, darkening the color and reducing its ability to work.

  • Moisture Contamination: Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This generally occurs by rubber brake lines allowing moisture to seep in. When moisture accumulates in brake fluid, it causes problems in a couple of ways. Water has a much lower boiling point than brake fluid, and can reach very high temperatures at the calipers and drums. This causes the water to flash boil into steam, causing the brake fluid to darken, but also creating air in the lines. This can cause a soft pedal, or even cause you to have to pump the brake pedal to get the system to work properly.

  • Deteriorating Rubber Lines: The rubber brake lines on your car will eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced. Brake fluid is also corrosive, and while the lines are designed to withstand that corrosion, they’ll eventually begin to break down. Microscopic pieces of rubber and chemicals leaching out of the lines into the fluid will also cause it to darken.

  • Normal Heating: Brake fluid is heated by contact with the calipers, and this heat creates a chemical change in the fluid, adding to the darkening created by moisture and other types of contamination.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office and visually inspect your brake fluid’s condition, the master cylinder and the rest of the system to determine if the problem is simply due to normal age and wear/tear. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will inspect the master cylinder, lines and other brake system components. The mechanic will also determine how long it has been since your brake fluid was last changed, and may need to perform a brake fluid flush to remove the contaminated, old fluid and replace it with fresh, clean fluid.

How important is this service?

Brake fluid darkens as it ages – it’s natural, and due to normal contamination that occurs in all brake systems. However, it must be changed regularly, or you risk reduced braking performance and the deterioration or damage of other brake system components. One of our professional mechanics can inspect your system, change your fluid, and ensure that you enjoy the safety you deserve on the road.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Chrysler mechanics

Real customer reviews from Chrysler owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(936)

Rating Summary
881
33
7
3
12
881
33
7
3
12

Alfredo

21 years of experience
123 reviews
Alfredo
21 years of experience
Chrysler PT Cruiser L4-2.4L - Crankshaft Position Sensor - Orlando, Florida
quick and professional, would do business with him again.

Alfred

13 years of experience
499 reviews
Alfred
13 years of experience
Chrysler PT Cruiser L4-2.4L - Tune-up - Oakland, California
Very professional. On time. Friendly. Excellent service

Peter

43 years of experience
1321 reviews
Peter
43 years of experience
Chrysler PT Cruiser L4-2.4L Turbo - Check Engine Light is on - Scottsdale, Arizona
Peter knew exactly what was going on with my car. He diagnosed the problem quickly. He was fast and efficient. He explained what he was doing so I could understand the process of the repairs that were being done. I would rate Peter an ALL-STAR 10.

Ralph

38 years of experience
185 reviews
Ralph
38 years of experience
Chrysler PT Cruiser L4-2.4L - Car Thermostat Replacement - Tacoma, Washington
Ralph was very friendly and did a great job on my Pt Cruizer! Thank you Ralph!

Excellent Rating

(936)

Rating Summary
881
33
7
3
12
881
33
7
3
12
Number of Chrysler PT Cruiser services completed
10296+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Chrysler MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Tail Lamp Bulb
Common signs include the tail lights not working when the headlight switch is activated and the brake light not working when brakes are applied.
P0173 OBD-II Trouble Code: Fuel Trim Malfunction (Bank 2)
P0173 P0173 code definition? P0173 Fuel Trim Malfunction (Bank 2) What the P0173 code means Code P0173 is triggered by the engine control module (ECM) when it detects that the air-fuel ratio is too lean or too rich. For most...
Windshield Laws in Ohio
If If you drive a vehicle on the roadways in Ohio, you already know about the numerous traffic laws you are required to follow for safety. In addition to those rules, Ohio also has regulations in place to ensure your...

I think I accidentally put diesel fuel in my 2015 Nissan Altima.

Hi there. Yes, it is possible to put diesel into any vehicle as not all nozzles are differentiated. If this has happened, it's not all bad, but not all good. The bad news is that all the fuel will need...

Knocking engine already change the oil but still doing it

Hello there. Engine knocking is a serious problem with your 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The most common cause of engine knocking is low engine oil. You did well by replacing the oil first. Other likely causes of engine knocking are low...

Truck has oil in it but when i am idling at a stoplight, the oil pressure gauge drops and says low oil 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L

Hello - assuming an adequate oil level, which you have checked, there may be a real oil pressure problem (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-do-you-know-if-the-oil-pressure-gauge-is-bad). It's worth checking with a know working oil pressure gauge, so that you can get the real readings (i.e. 40...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com