If your vehicle has hydraulic brakes, there is a brake master cylinder.

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to check the brake fluid.

Caution: Do not add brake fluid before checking the level or there could be too much brake fluid. Brake fluid could spill on the hot engine and it can catch fire. You could be burned and the vehicle could be damaged. See "Checking Brake Fluid" in this section.

Checking Brake Fluid

Apply the brake pedal several times with the ignition off. Then clean one of the reservoir caps and the area around the cap, and remove it.

The fluid level should be even with the bottom ring of the filler opening. If it is low, add enough fluid to fill the reservoir to the proper level.

What to Add

Use the proper fluid listed in the Maintenance Schedule. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.

Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area around the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirt from entering the reservoir.

Caution: With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic system, the brakes might not work well. This could cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.

Notice: 

The brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.

Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.

See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service might be required.

Every time you make a brake stop, the brakes adjust for wear.

Brake Adjustment on Air Braked Vehicles

Your vehicle has automatic slack adjusters. Every time you make a brake stop, the brakes automatically adjust for wear. Slack adjusters should never be manually adjusted to correct excessive brake chamber pushrod stroke. Excessive brake chamber pushrod stroke means that the brake system needs to be serviced by a qualified service technician.

Notice: Do not manually adjust automatic slack adjusters. Manual adjustment of the automatic slack adjusters can result in a degradation of the slack adjuster performance over time. If the brake chamber pushrod stroke is out of adjustment, the brake system needs to be serviced by a qualified service technician.

Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.

Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.

Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.

The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts. When you replace parts of the braking system -- for example, when the brake linings wear down and you need new ones put in -- be sure you get new approved replacement parts. If you do not, the brakes might not work properly. For example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance between the front and rear brakes can change -- for the worse. The braking performance you have come to expect can change in many other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.

If your vehicle has air brakes, it is important to get rid of moisture in the system. Moisture will damage the system if it is not removed daily.

There are two ways to do this. One is automatic through the air brake vehicle's air dryer with its automatic moisture ejector that purges air from the system through a self-contained reservoir. The other way to drain moisture from the air brake system is to manually activate drain valves at each reservoir. Drain the air reservoirs occasionally to be sure the air dryer is working properly.

Drain them at full system pressure. To be sure you are at full pressure, check the air pressure gage. It should read at least 100 psi (692 kPa).

If your vehicle has air brakes, it will have an air dryer. This collects and removes dirt, moisture, or other foreign matter from the air prior to entering the brake system. The air dryer also serves as a moisture ejector. It automatically ejects the moisture when the compressor cycles. The integral purge tank has a manual drain valve that must be drained every day. See "Air Brake Systems" for the manual drain procedure. The dryer is mounted on the driver side frame rail.

The dryer has a filter that you need to change at intervals. See Scheduled Maintenance for more about servicing this filter.

Your vehicle may have an electric air compressor. This compressor is used to run options that require pressurized air, such as air horn, air seat, exhaust restrictor, or an exhaust brake.

The air compressor is used when vehicles do not have an air brake system.

The air supply for this system must be maintained by releasing the drain valve to eject any moisture that could have built up in the system.

It is recommended that this system be drained on a weekly basis.

Normal clutch pedal free play is 1.5 to 2 inches (38 to 51 mm) measured from the floorboard. If the free play is less than 1.25 inches (32 mm), adjustment is required.