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 which we use in the braking system whereas Power Steering Fluid is the fluid which we use in the power steering system.

Brake Fluid vs. Power Steering Fluid

We use different chemical components in car maintenance, e.g., power steering fluids, and brake fluids, etc. They are essential in optimizing car performance. Although they share similar features, they are far from being identical. We use the brake fluid in the braking system. Power steering fluid, on the other hand, is used for the power steering system. Both of them are crucial for car maintenance. Even though both of them function as lubricants, but they are used on altered automobile systems and parts. Brake fluid is a kind of hydraulic fluid that is used to power up the parts of a vehicle’s braking system, like hydraulic brake and the hydraulic clutch, which have applications in motorcycles, light trucks, automobiles, and some bicycles. Power steering fluid, on the flip side, is also a low viscosity hydraulic fluid which has a function to optimize the performance of a vehicle’s power steering system by the addition of pressure to the steering system. Brake fluids are used for optimizing the braking system, whereas power steering fluids help drivers to gain more control above the steering wheel. Besides, brake fluids and power steering fluids are made up of unlike chemical components. The brake fluids are mostly mineral oil, glycol-ether or silicone-based. The power steering fluids, on the other side, are oil-based.

Comparison Chart

What is the Brake Fluid?

Brake fluid is the fluid which we use in the braking system. It is a kind of hydraulic fluid that is used to power up the components of the braking system of a vehicle, including the hydraulic brake and the hydraulic clutch. It assists as an anti-corrosive agent and a lubricant for all movable parts of bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and trucks. This type of fluid mainly acts as an incompressible medium that strengthens the braking force of the automobiles. Most of the brake fluids which are available in the market are made up of glycol-ether, mineral oil, or silicone. It must not corrode the metals which are used inside components, for example, wheel cylinders, master cylinders, calipers, and ABS control valves. If the moisture enters the system, then they must protect against corrosion. To accomplish this, the additives (corrosion inhibitors) are added to their base fluid. Silicone is proved less corrosive to paintwork contrasting to DOT fluids, which are glycol-ether based. This type of fluid has a high boiling point.

What is Power Steering Fluid?

Power steering fluid is considered as a low viscosity hydraulic fluid which is used in the power steering system of a vehicle. It mainly functions by adding sufficient pressure to the pump. These fluids are essential in optimizing the performance of the power steering system of a vehicle, which gives the drivers more control above the steering wheel. Like all the other hydraulic fluids, this fluid also shows high resistance to the oxidation. During the procedure of car maintenance, the level of power steering fluid is estimated to ensure that the pinion and rack of the vehicle receive adequate support. The power steering fluid, although has a high boiling point and is a compressible fluid. This type of fluid has a low freezing point and is characterized by it.

Key Differences

Conclusion

All of the above discussion summarizes that although both the fluids are hydraulic, they function differently. Brake fluid has a function to power up the components of the braking system of a vehicle, whereas, power steering fluid has a function of adding pressure to the steering system of the vehicles. The former optimizes the braking system of a vehicle, on the flip side, the latter optimizes the power steering system of a vehicle.

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