Common symptoms that you may be low on brake fluid include the Brake Light warning staying on when you drive the car or the CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM warning message on the dashboard.

First, you check and make sure the parking brake is fully released. Next, follow the instructions below to check the Acura brake fluid level.

Symptoms

Symptoms of low brake fluid levels on an Acura usually start with a message on your instrument cluster.

Typical messages include "Check Brake System."

You won't get a message in older Acura's, but the brake light will stay on when driving. Other lights that may come on due to low brake fluid levels include the ABS and VSA lights.

• Low Brake Fluid Warning
• Brake Light On
• The brake pedal is soft.
• The brake pedal can be pressed all the way.

What you will need

Acura recommends that you use Honda DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid. What brake fluid your Acura requires is printed on top of the brake fluid reservoir cap.

According to the Acura owner's manual, using a non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and decrease the brake system's life (Source: 2004 Acura TL page 211).

• Genuine Honda Brake Fluid

Instructions

Step by step directions and video clips to help you add brake fluid to your ACURA.

1. Pull the hood release under the dashboard and open the hood. 
2. Locate Brake Fluid Reservoir 
3. Locate the brake fluid reservoir on your ACURA. The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine bay, on the driver's side. In some Acura models, the brake fluid reservoir is covered with a plastic cover, as shown in the following picture. The cover can be easily removed. It will either pop up or may have two plastic screws that need to be removed. Before you remove the cap, clean the brake fluid reservoir with a clean cloth.

4. Look at the side of the brake fluid reservoir to determine the current level.  Ensure the current brake fluid level is between the maximum and minimum marks on the reservoir's side. 
   If the brake fluid level is below the minimum level, continue to the next step.

5. Add Brake Fluid. Look at the brake fluid reservoir cap to ensure you are using the correct brake fluid type. 
6. Add brake fluid until the level reaches just below the MAX/Full mark. Do not fill the ACURA brake reservoir above the maximum mark.

These instructions apply to various 1998-2019 ACURA models such as CDX, CL, VSX, EL, ILX, Integra, Legend, MDX, NSX, RDX, RL RLX, RSX, SLX, TL TLX, TSX, Vigor, ZDX.

Troubleshooting Tips

If the brake fluid isn't low and the "Check Brake System" remains on, the problem can be due to the brake system's malfunction. Check the brake pads and ABS wheel speed sensors.

Also, check the fusible link for the ABS module. The fusible link is located in the engine bay of your Acura.

When the fusible link is blown, you will get multiple warning lights on your instrument cluster, and the push START/STOP may not work.