Difference between brake fluid and power steering fluid
Main difference
The main difference between brake fluid and power steering fluid is that brake fluid is the fluid that we use in the braking system, while power steering fluid is the fluid that we use in the power steering system.
Brake fluid vs. power steering fluid
We use different chemical components in car maintenance, for example, power steering fluids, brake fluids, etc. They are essential to optimize the performance of the car. Although they share similar characteristics, they are far from identical. We use brake fluid in the brake system. Power steering fluid, on the other hand, is used for the power steering system. Both are crucial for car maintenance. Although they both function as lubricants, they are used in altered auto parts and systems.Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used to activate parts of a vehicle’s braking system, such as the hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch, that have applications in motorcycles, light trucks, cars and some bicycles. Power steering fluid, on the other hand, is also a low viscosity hydraulic fluid that has the function of optimizing the performance of a vehicle’s power steering system by adding pressure to the steering system. Brake fluids are used to optimize the braking system, while power steering fluids help drivers gain more control over the wheel, and brake and power steering fluids are made up of different chemical components. Brake fluids are mainly mineral oil, glycol ether or silicone. Power steering fluids, on the other hand, are oil-based. Brake and power steering fluids are made up of different chemical components. Brake fluids are mainly mineral oil, glycol ether or silicone. Power steering fluids, on the other hand, are oil-based. Brake and power steering fluids are made up of different chemical components. Brake fluids are primarily mineral oil, glycol ether, or silicone. Power steering fluids, on the other hand, are oil-based.
| Brake fluid | Power steering fluid |
| Brake fluid is the fluid that we use in the brake system. | Power steering fluid is the fluid that we use in the power steering system. |
| Function | |
| Brake fluid has the function of igniting the components of a vehicle’s brake system. | The power steering fluid has the function of adding pressure to the steering system of vehicles. |
| Optimization factor | |
| Brake fluid optimizes a vehicle’s braking system. | Power steering fluid optimizes a vehicle’s power steering system. |
| Composed of | |
| Most of the brake fluids available on the market are made up of glycol-ether, mineral oil or silicone. | Power steering fluid is primarily oil based. |
| Compressibility factor | |
| Brake fluid is incompressible. | Power steering fluid is compressible. |
| Boiling point | |
| Brake fluid has a high boiling point. | Power steering fluid has a high boiling point. |
| Resistant to oxidation | |
| Brake fluid is resistant to oxidation. | Like all other hydraulic fluids, power steering fluid also exhibits high resistance to oxidation. |
What is brake fluid ?
Brake fluid is the fluid that we use in the brake system. It is a type of hydraulic fluid used to activate components of a vehicle’s braking system, including the hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch. It helps as an anti-corrosion agent and lubricant for all moving parts of bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks. This type of fluid acts mainly as an incompressible medium that reinforces the braking force of automobiles. Most of the brake fluids available on the market are made up of glycol ether, mineral oil or silicone. It should not corrode metals used inside components such as wheel cylinders, master cylinders, calipers, and ABS control valves. If moisture enters the system, then they must protect against corrosion. To achieve this, additives (corrosion inhibitors) are added to your base fluid. Silicone has been shown to be less corrosive to paint compared to DOT fluids, which are glycol-ether based. This type of liquid has a high boiling point.
Power steering fluid is considered a low-viscosity hydraulic fluid that is used in a vehicle’s power steering system. It works mainly by adding enough pressure to the pump. These fluids are essential for optimizing the performance of a vehicle’s power steering system, giving drivers more control over the wheel. Like all other hydraulic fluids, this fluid also exhibits high resistance to oxidation. During the car maintenance procedure, the power steering fluid level is estimated to ensure that the vehicle’s rack and pinion are adequately supported. Power steering fluid, though has a high boiling point and is a compressible fluid.
Key differences
- Brake fluid is the fluid that we use in the braking system, while power steering fluid is the fluid that we use in the power steering system.
- Brake fluid has the function of igniting the components of a vehicle’s brake system; On the other hand, the power steering fluid has the function of adding pressure to the steering system of vehicles.
- Brake fluid optimizes a vehicle’s braking system, on the other hand, power steering fluid optimizes a vehicle’s power steering system.
- Most of the brake fluids available on the market are composed of glycol-ether, mineral oil or silicone, on the other hand, the power steering fluid is mainly oil-based.
- Brake fluid is incompressible, while power steering fluid is compressible.
- Brake fluid is characterized by its high boiling point; On the other hand, the power steering fluid is characterized by its low freezing point.
All of the above discussion summarizes that although both fluids are hydraulic, they work differently. Brake fluid has the function of powering the components of the braking system of a vehicle, while the power steering fluid has the function of adding pressure to the steering system of vehicles. The first optimizes the braking system of a vehicle, on the other hand, the second optimizes the power steering system of a vehicle.