Brake fluid
Introduction
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over the course of time. Too much water in the brake fluid causes damage to the
brake system. Water lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, vapor lock ma
form in the brake system during heavy braking and full braking. Vapor lock reduces the braking efficiency, increases the
braking distance considerably, and can lead to a total failure of the brake system. Your own safety and the safety of others on
the road depends on your brake system functioning correctly at all times.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Contact with brake fluid – in particular, if brake fluid is swallowed – may result in serious injury or
death.
If you swallow brake fluid, seek urgent medical help.
If you have health problems after working with brake fluid, seek medical help.
Always store brake fluid out of the reach of children and only within the sealed original container.
Never use empty food cans, bottles, or other containers to store brake fluid, because someone could drink the
brake fluid by mistake.
Avoid regular contact with brake fluid to prevent damage to your skin.
Protect your skin, face, and particularly your eyes when working with brake fluid.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke when working with brake fluid.
Wash your skin with soap and water after working with brake fluid.
NOTICE
Spilled or leaking brake fluid will damage the vehicle's surfaces. The vehicle's paint, plastic parts, and tires may be
damaged.
Immediately wipe up any spilled or leaking brake fluid that comes into contact with vehicle components.
Then rinse all vehicle parts with plenty of water.
Brake fluid can pollute the environment.
Collect any leaking fluids and dispose of them according to legal and environmental regulations.
Brake fluid specifications
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
hood space.
Safety precautions for working in the
Volkswagen has developed a special brake fluid that is optimized for the vehicle's brake system. For optimum performance of
the brake system, Volkswagen recommends only using brake fluid that complies with the VW standard 501 14.
Before using brake fluid, check that the brake fluid specification on the bottle matches the vehicle requirements.
Brake fluid that complies with the VW standard 501 14 can be obtained from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
If this type of brake fluid is not available and it is therefore necessary to use a different high-quality brake fluid instead, a brake
fluid that meets the requirements of DIN ISO 4925 or the US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 CLASS 6 can be used.
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