# Brake fluid

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid/20623>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 11, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid/20623 "2008-10-11T21:30:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![glinka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f14d63/32.png) [@glinka](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glinka)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid/20623/1 "2008-10-11T21:30:03Z")

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Can, in emergency you substitute trans fluid for brake fluid?

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid/20623/2 "2008-10-11T21:32:49Z")

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Absolutely NOT!!! Brake fluid is a very high duty fluid with very special characteristics. In an “emergency” just don’t drive, take a taxi and have the car TOWED to a capable repair shop. We don’t want you to endanger your life by trying to save a few dollars!

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**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid/20623/3 "2008-10-11T23:36:52Z")

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Docnick is correct. Trans fluid or oil in your brake system will cause your seals to swell, leading to brake failure.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid/20623/4 "2008-10-12T00:15:09Z")

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Not unless you want to create a far worse emergency.

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid/20623/5 "2008-10-12T05:15:41Z")

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If you don’t mind destroying every part of your braking system.

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**Author:** ![Nickb2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nickb2/32/5745_2.png) [@Nickb2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nickb2)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-fluid/20623/6 "2008-10-12T16:17:39Z")

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As everyone here says, “NO WAY”. You will not only destroy thousands of dollars worth of calipers ands ABS centrals but you will definitly have no brakes whatsoever and endanger my kids if you drive in my street! Not recommended at all.