Dodge Shadow 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

(8,737)

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

(8,737)

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 Dodge Shadow Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection is $105 with $0 for parts and $105 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1988 Dodge ShadowL4-2.2LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$124.99Shop/Dealer Price$133.39 - $139.69
1994 Dodge ShadowV6-3.0LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$104.99Shop/Dealer Price$113.41 - $119.72
1994 Dodge ShadowL4-2.2LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$104.99Shop/Dealer Price$113.41 - $119.72
1989 Dodge ShadowL4-2.2LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$104.99Shop/Dealer Price$113.39 - $119.68
1990 Dodge ShadowL4-2.2L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$104.99Shop/Dealer Price$113.42 - $119.75
1989 Dodge ShadowL4-2.5LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$104.99Shop/Dealer Price$113.41 - $119.72
1992 Dodge ShadowL4-2.5LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$124.99Shop/Dealer Price$130.87 - $135.28
1992 Dodge ShadowL4-2.2LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$124.99Shop/Dealer Price$131.24 - $135.94
Show example Dodge Shadow 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 Dodge mechanics

Real customer reviews from Dodge owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(8,737)

Rating Summary
8,206
290
51
42
148
8,206
290
51
42
148

Joe

43 years of experience
827 reviews
Joe
43 years of experience
Dodge Shadow L4-2.2L - Timing Belt - Dunedin, Florida
Great mechanic 

John

20 years of experience
590 reviews
John
20 years of experience
Dodge Grand Caravan V6-3.3L - Fuel Pump - Orlando, Florida
John was fantastic

Nick

14 years of experience
90 reviews
Nick
14 years of experience
Dodge Ram 1500 V8-5.7L - Shock Absorber Replacement (Front) - West Sacramento, California
Thank you! Nick was very professional and done, excellent work on my Dodge! Very satisfied, and will be a returning customer! The mobile mechanic is awesome and better then putting the vehicle in a shop. You can watch if you want, or wait in your house. It's all at your convenience.

Shaun

10 years of experience
542 reviews
Shaun
10 years of experience
Dodge Grand Caravan V6-3.8L - Power Steering Fluid Reservoir - Phoenix, Arizona
Great job as always, Shaun! Thanks!

Excellent Rating

(8,737)

Rating Summary
8,206
290
51
42
148
8,206
290
51
42
148
Number of Dodge services completed
96107+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Dodge MECHANICS
1400+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Which Tires Are the Best for Highway Driving?
Highway Highway driving can mean different things to different people. Road surfaces are as vastly different depending on which part of the country you are in, as are the weather conditions. Some major factors to consider for highway driving are:...
Cell Phones and Texting: Distracted Driving Laws in Arizona
Distracted Distracted driving is defined by not fully paying attention to the road in Arizona, which is further defined as any time your eyes and/or mind are off the road. This includes talking or texting on your cell phone while...
P0473 OBD-II Trouble Code: Exhaust Pressure Sensor High
P0473 code means there is an electrical problem often due to the exhaust system back pressure sensor circuit or burned/frayed wiring.

Car cuts off when sitting still and idling. What could that be that is causing it to do that

This may be related to a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and at...

is it a temp sensor or bad head gasket?

A diagnostic would determine the root cause of the overheating. If the coolant level was low, and/or there was trapped air in the cooling passageways, perhaps related to the heater core repair, those faults themselves can cause overheating. If the...

Quick question. I have a slow coolant leak. I've only noticed the leak after I turn off the car, not while it's running. Any ideas

A hose is a possibility. The leak point(s) can be pinpointed by pressurizing the cooling system to about 15 PSI when the engine is completely cold. A visual check during that test will reveal the problem area(s). The water pump...

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