Section 06-00: Brake System, Service
1996 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-Super Duty Chassis Cab, Motorhome Chassis and Bronco Workshop Manual
ADJUSTMENTS

Hydraulic Brake Fluid Color

Hydraulic brake fluid color must conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116. Under this standard, brake fluids are visually different from other automotive fluids such as transmission, power steering and engine oil.

The color of the brake fluid in a normal brake system in service can vary from its original color for many reasons. Sometimes a brake master cylinder (2140) may show significantly different shades of color of brake fluid in the brake master cylinder reservoir. Some of the reasons for the apparent difference in color in a system are listed below.

NOTE: Brake fluid contaminated with a hydrocarbon/mineral based fluid (power steering or transmission fluid) can be detected by an obvious swelling of the brake master cylinder filler cap gasket. If the swollen gasket condition is present, all brake system rubber parts must be replaced. All brake tubes must be thoroughly flushed with Ford High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AA or equivalent DOT 3 brake fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A before the vehicle goes back into service.