2016 low brake fluid warning after long non-use

[Frank8]

Started truck this afternoon after it had been parked in my garage for 3 weeks. Red “low brake fluid” came on. Brakes worked perfectly last time I used it. No fluid on garage floor under car. 51k miles. I’m 85 and have become ill so won’t be driving and was just going to take car to be detailed prior to selling. No indie near me, but a shop about 3 miles away would look at it. I have no idea why light would come on without fluid leak.
Do you guys think it’s okay to take on road and drive it to the shop? I drove it around my driveway without problem. Or is there something sneaky that I’m missing?

 

[powershift]

What did the brake fluid reservoir level look like?

 

[Frank8]

According to the manual I need to remove the engine cover on the driver side. I looked and afraid I’m not agile or strong enough to do that.
It’s puzzling because the car spent 3 weeks in the garage and there’s not a drop of anything on the concrete.

 

[powershift]

If you can't check the fluid then its better to tow it. The plastic latches on my brake fluid cover was cracked like someone tweaked it removing it. There are tabs to lock the lid down, try a standard screw driver it shouldn't be heavy. Only one latch on mine works.

 

[Frank8]

Thanks!it came off easily-I don’t think it was snapped entirely shut.
But yikes! The reservoir looks completely empty.

 

[powershift]

If it was completely empty, air could have entered the lines and that is a dangerous situation. If there was just a tiny bit left then you should be good to just refill. Otherwise, the brake system will need to be bled of air before driving it.

 

[ugmw177]

my expectation is that your brake lines are rusted especially if you live in a road salt area. the main lines running near the parking brake module like to rust on these vehicles and will lose a little fluid there over time but not enough to drip on driveway..they will eventually fail completely. It is an expensive job to replace them but absolutely necessary if found to be rusted. I would tow to shop and have them inspect the lines.

 

[Frank8]

Thank you all for your advice. I’ll arrange to have it towed.
I guess my old pal is packing it in.

 

[Land Rover Joe]

Dear @Frank8 -

Please keep us posted on this issue. I am rebuilding my brake system along with a pretty massive refurb / service project on my 2010 LR4 (5.0L) HSE. However, I am not replacing the steel brake lines and only doing basic services on the master cylinder (but replacing the pump, brake lines at calipers [braided stainless upgrade], and rebuilding the entire calipers) and a few brake lines in the engine bay.

That said, I was impressed when Christian from LR Time replaced the steel brake lines (and why not stainless replacements?) on his wife's D3 (Germany) a couple years ago in a complete restoration available on his YouTube Channel....

I am not doing that work (and my job is body on) but would like to hear about peoples experiences with their brake lines.

I am guessing the trucks are starting to get old enough to have the kinds of issues @ugmw177 is suggesting but am not sure. I think my lines are in relatively good shape at this point but those steel brake lines are a failure point and will rust out sooner-or-later for all of us (again - probably need a stainless upgrade...someday).

Many thanks!

 

[powershift]

I'd guess 200k miles would be my limit for the rubber lines and lifetime for the steel lines. But I don't live in areas that salt the roads, ymmv. At 115k mi now and they are fine.

As an aside, the stainless braided lines aren't buying anything other than steel braids and they look better. Its a hotly debated topic. You gotta be lapping a high HP car on a road coarse with high temp pads and even then I question anyone that says they can feel the lines expand. My calipers bowed, felt that and there was clear evidence but the rubber brake lines are hydraulic lines.