Subaru SVX 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

(2,293)

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

(2,293)

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 Subaru SVX 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
1994 Subaru SVXH6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
1995 Subaru SVXH6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1996 Subaru SVXH6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1993 Subaru SVXH6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
1997 Subaru SVXH6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
1992 Subaru SVXH6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
Show example Subaru SVX 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 Subaru mechanics

Real customer reviews from Subaru owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(2,293)

Rating Summary
2,185
56
15
10
27
2,185
56
15
10
27

Charles

34 years of experience
342 reviews
Charles
34 years of experience
Subaru SVX H6-3.3L - Alternator - Austin, Texas
Professional and thorough. Charles did a great job.

Gary

27 years of experience
226 reviews
Gary
27 years of experience
Subaru SVX H6-3.3L - Air Filter - Emeryville, California
Based on this experience, I'd say I have a new source for my car services. Thanks.

Simon

27 years of experience
290 reviews
Simon
27 years of experience
Subaru Outback H4-2.5L - Oil Change - Silver Spring, Maryland
Simon was great! He communicated well and even got us in early. It was much easier and smoother than taking the car in (especially during COVID!) We're glad to find Simon and Your Mechanic - he'll be our new go-to!

Jose

17 years of experience
433 reviews
Jose
17 years of experience
Subaru Forester H4-2.5L Turbo - Oil/Fluid Leak - Portland, Oregon
Jose went above and beyond. I had a fishing trip the next day and he worked his ass off to try and make it happen, unfortunately there were problems but he worked in the hot sun to get my car fixed... what a great guy!

Excellent Rating

(2,293)

Rating Summary
2,185
56
15
10
27
2,185
56
15
10
27
Number of Subaru services completed
25223+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Subaru MECHANICS
700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

The Check Engine Light Demystified
Your car Check Engine Light can mean many things. The Check Engine Light comes on when there's an electrical or mechanical problem with your car.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Fuel Filter (Auxiliary)
If your car is hard to start, developing engine performance issues, or has the Check Engine Light on, consider replacing the auxiliary fuel filter.
How to Repossess a Car
If If you have sold a car but the buyer has breached the terms of the contract, then you are allowed to repossess the vehicle. Repossessing your car means that you reclaim it as your own due to the failed...

My 2005 Acura TL is not accelerating but rpm is going up and down erratically. What is causing this?

Hey there. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, your issue can be caused by a worn clutch. When the clutch is worn, it no longer has the clamping strength to transmit power from the engine to the transmission. This...

Error codes P0171 and P0374

Hello. These issues can be caused by a few things. From the codes it sounds like there may be an issue with the fuel system. It may also be an issue with the air intake system allowing too much air...

Hi Samuel, my Hyundai Accent 07's clutch slides straight to the floor with no resistance, the gears won't catch and the reverse g

Hi there. Usually when this occurs, the issue is with the clutch master cylinder. A clutch master cylinder contains a reservoir that stores the brake fluid. It is connected to the clutch slave cylinder through hoses. When you push the...

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