Hi to the board. Newbie G35 owner here. Just bought an Ivory Pearl with Premium Pack last weekend. Big fun so far.

So I get home and I'm poking around the engine and... what! No brake fluid! That can't be. I get a flashlight and look real close. Still looks like no brake fluid. So I decide to open it up. I'm looking reeeeal close and maybe I see something. It's not until I dip my finger in that I can tell it's clear fluid all the way up to the top of the filler cap.

I've never had a car with clear brake fluid before, and I'm no kid. Who is the genius that decided that was a good idea?

Cavu.

 

Welcome Cavu, and congrats on the new ride.

I can't remember the reservoir on the G I had, but doesn't it have low and high level marks on the side?
Check yours again for these marks. If there is a full mark then someone has overfilled it.
If not, then all would appear normal.

Enjoy
C.

Edit: Cavu, I've just checked my M's BF reservoir and found the 'marks' I mentioned above. They are labeled: MIN & MAX and this leaves a small expansion space under the cap.

 

Thanks for the welcome.

There are Min & Max indicators, but it was filled above that, to the top of the filler opening. That level is covered by the cap itself so there was no way to see the level line without opening it. Even then I couldn't really tell it wasn't empty.

I just think it's weird to have clear brake fluid. Must be just me.

Cavu

 

Most brake fluid is clear - that is the way you want it. The fluid discolors because it is picking up water from the atmosphere, which lowers it's boiling point. The darker the fluid the more water is present, the lower the boiling point. Check your fluid again in 6 months and it will be yellow to brown, just like your used to. Change it annually, more if you drive hard. I changed mine out before every track day to maximize the heat tolerance, minimize fade.

 

Brake fluid is NOT supposed to be clear. Im a mechanic and normal brake fluid should be a light yellow/goldish color. I've yet to see clear brake fluid... And the fluid discolors or becomes darker when the fluid heats up

 

I use Ford Blue and also Napa Brake Fluid and if it isn't clear it is damn close. If it is yellow when it is new then it is crap. The point is that the more color the fluid has the worse shape it is in. Heat in itself does NOT cause brake fluid to change color. Brake fluid is hydroscopic, meaning that it pulls moisture out of the atmosphere... the more water pulled from the atmosphere, the more color and the lower the boiling point.

PS I'm not a mechanic but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once