1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

Braking plays an especially very important role among a vehicle's many functions. This is

because it helps the driver avoid danger thereby ensuring safety. Thus it is vital that the

brake system always function properly as part of the total vehicle system which differs

according to model and specifications. The brake fluid is central to this system because it

is the medium through which pressure is transmitted from the driver's foot to the road

wheels in actuating the brake.

The practice of using fluids in the brake system other than those recommended by

automobile manufacturers and regulatory bodies has been observed among some drivers

especially those of commercial vehicles (taxis and mini buses). Detergents and other

‘unwholesome’ fluids are being used as brake fluids. These cannot be ascertained suitable

for brake and the braking system component materials. The concern of this research work

is focused on the fluid popularly used by taxis and commercial buses - the detergent.

Powdered detergent is usually dissolved in water to form a solution and used as a brake

fluid. Some drivers claimed that this detergent solution works to some extent for the

users. However the Vehicle Inspection Office of the Ministry of Works and Transport

Kaduna State whose mandates include ensuring that vehicles are in good condition

before being allowed on the road is aware of this fact. The office confirms that

detergents are being used by some commercial vehicle drivers and that it tries to

discourage it through sensitization and appropriate sanctioning. Reasons often given for

the unethical practice of using detergents as brake fluids are that they are cheap readily

available and can function as brake fluids substitutes.

Detergents especially the powdered types that are usually made use of are very cheap. It

costs just about 5% of the price of the recommended fluids to prepare a solution of

detergent. The availability of detergents at virtually everywhere cannot be questioned.

Therefore detergent ‘brake fluids’ can easily be prepared anywhere at very little cost.

Can they function as the recommended brake fluids? Are the chemical compositions of

detergents conducive and in harmony with the materials of the braking system? If the

answers are in the affirmative then to what extent are these true? If on the contrary what

are the dangers inherent in the practice to the braking system the vehicle and ultimately

the persons whose lives are involved?

Seeking to answer these questions and more is very pertinent so that those who are

affected and especially the drivers vehicle owners and security agencies can be properly

educated.

1.2 BRAKING IN AUTOMOBILE

The function of a braking system is to retard a moving vehicle or bring it to rest in the

shortest possible distance when necessary. The vehicle can be held on an inclined surface

against the pull of gravity by the application of brake. Brakes are means of increasing the

frictional resistance which retards the turning of the road wheels. It absorbs either kinetic

energy or potential energy or both while remaining in action and this absorbed energy

appears in form of heat. While moving down a steep gradient the vehicle is controlled by

the application of brakes. In this case brakes remain in action for a longer period making

it imperative to dissipate the braking heat to atmosphere as rapidly as possible (Giri

1992).

It is necessary to provide means of bringing the car rapidly to rest from any speed.

Although in the ordinary way if the engine is switched off and the gears are left in mesh

in the gear box the car will naturally reduce its speed to a standstill i.e. decelerate this

rate of speed reduction is by no means fast enough so that additional friction creating

devices known as brakes become a necessity (Judge 1966).

1.2.1 Braking System

A basic braking system has

● brake pedal

● master cylinder to provide hydraulic pressure

● brake lines and hoses to connect the master cylinder to the brake assemblies

● fluid to transmit force from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders of the brake

assemblies; and

● brake assemblies – drum or disc – that stop the wheels.

To operate the brake the driver pushes the brake pedal; it applies mechanical force to the

piston in the master cylinder. The piston applies hydraulic pressure to the fluid in the

cylinder the lines transfer the pressure – which is undiminished in all directions within

the confines of the brake lines – to the wheel cylinders and the wheel cylinders at the

wheel assemblies apply the brakes. (CDX 2009)

1.2.2 Brake Lines

Brake lines carry brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brakes. For most of their

length they are steel and attached to the body with clips or brackets to prevent damage

from vibration. They are basically identical on most brake systems. In some vehicles the

brake lines are inside the vehicle to protect them better from corrosion.

The brake lines must be able to transmit considerable hydraulic pressure so they are

mostly made of steel rather than of a softer but less corrosive and easier to fit material

such as copper. However a flexible section must be included between the body and

suspension to allow for steering and suspension movement. These flexible hoses are

made of tough reinforced tubing to contain the pressures as well as to protect them from

objects that could be thrown by the tires.

If a brake line is damaged it is usually replaced rather than repaired. (CDX 2009)

1.3 BRAKE FLUID

Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in brake application in automobiles and light trucks.

It is used to transmit force under pressure from where it is created through the hydraulic lines to

the braking mechanism near the wheels.

Not any type of fluid can be used in a brake system. Some of the more important characteristics

of quality brake fluid are:

● Maintain even viscosity throughout a wide temperature variation

● Does not freeze at the coldest possible temperature that the vehicle may encounter

● Boiling point is above the highest operating temperature of the brake system part

● Is hygroscopic (has the ability to absorb and retain moisture) to prevent freezing of parts

● Act as lubricant for pistons and seals to reduce internal wear and friction

● Must not corrode the brake system’s metal parts

● Must not swell or deteriorate the brake’s plastic and rubber parts (Wingate 2006)

1.4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The use of detergent as brake fluid by some vehicle drivers is a practice known to many

for years. The Taxis and commercial minibus drivers are culpable in this act and in the

opinion of many this could result in road accidents. This fact is disturbing because

detergents are not among the known brake fluids. It is in the light of this that the research

seeks to determine its suitability and effects if any on brake components with a view to

presenting a scientific position.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH

This research on completion is expected to provide the following:

● Technical information on whether or not detergent is suitable for use as brake fluid

in automobile.

● Educate the public on the choice and proper use of brake fluids.

● Help in saving lives or preventing loss of property due to use of inappropriate brake

fluids.

1.6 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of using detergents as brake fluid in

automobiles.

The objectives are;

● To highlight the basic requirements of an automobile brake fluid.

● To carry out laboratory analysis on detergent with a view to determining its specific

brake fluid properties.

● To find out the effect of the use of detergent on the braking system component

parts.

● To highlight the danger if any of using detergent as brake fluid in an effort to

ensure road safety.

1.7 METHODOLOGY

In a bid to arriving at the set goals the sequence of works to be carried out is as

itemised below:

i. The extent of use of detergent would be determined by making enquiries from the

vehicle users/drivers and the automobile mechanics using questionnaires.

ii. Laboratory tests of some specific brake fluid-properties would be carried out on

solutions of detergent.

iii. The tests carried out would be compared with the minimum requirements set by

US Department of Transportation (DOT).

iv. The effect of the detergents on the fluid path (component) of the braking system is

determined by conducting corrosion test on them.

v. The results obtained would be analysed and appropriate recommendations would

be given.

1.8 SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH

The research would be conducted using solutions prepared from OMO-powdered

detergent only (60g/l) and the results obtained compared with the standards of the

commonly used brake fluids - DOT 3 and DOT 4.