When General Motors revealed the Sunfire Concept in 1990, the sleek body and 190-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine were enough to get any auto enthusiast's heart pumping. When the Sunfire finally debuted in 1995, it only carried the name and wedge design of the concept. In 2002, the Sunfire came standard with front disc brakes and rear drums. This system used DOT 3 fluid to carry hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to the brake caliper, and periodic inspection of the DOT 3 fluid level can help catch problems in the system before they cause a failure.
Open the hood and find the brake master cylinder reservoir -- the oval-shaped, translucent tank on the rear, driver side of the engine compartment. Wipe any dirt or debris from the reservoir with a cloth and look for the silhouette of the brake fluid on the side of the brake fluid reservoir. The top of the silhouette should be between the "Min" and "Max" marks on the reservoir. If the fluid is below the "Min" line, then either the brake pads are low or there is a leak in the brake system.
