Brake Fluid low?

Im still somewhat new with my truck so this will be a stupid question because I cant find a straight answer on google. Should I fill it to the max line? And if it is low and what does the 3rd gen tacoma use dot 3 or 4? The truck has 28k miles on it.

 

you might be due for Brake pads, check those first before adding fluid. If your pads are low the fluid will go back up when you install new pads.

 

Your Tacoma should have DOT3 from the factory but DOT4 will work if you still need to top off after checking pads.

 

Valvoline dot 3/4, fill to the full line. I doubt your 23 needs brake pads, unless you've got a ton of miles.

https://valvolinechemicals.com/products/valvoline-dot-34-brake-fluid-32oz

 

As mentioned by @Pabloeeto , as the brakes wear down the fluid level drops. It isn't leaking it is just in the calipers filling the void the pistons made as they move out to compensate for the pad wear. I would not fill it unless it drops below the 'Low' line. Because when you do top it up and then do a brake job, all the fluid in the calipers has to go somewhere and when you push the pistons back for the new pads, if the reservoir is full, it goes all over your paint in the engine bay.

I just did my front brakes last week. The pads were at 1 to 2mm. The fluid in the reservoir never dropped below the 'Low' line. It was about at the line where the two halves are joined together on the reservoir. After the brake just, it is just below the full line.

 

1.....did you read the owners manual first?
2.......brakes are hydraulic, as they wear down the fluid level goes down but not empty
3........its marked on reservoir what is normal
4........if you keep adding to it, then when the pistons are pushed back during pad replacement the reservoir overfills and sprays brake fluid everywhere.
5........did you read the owners manual first?

dont trust your life to google

 

That's really low mileage for needing brakes. 28k is exactly what mine is at now and I'm nowhere near the low mark. Not sure if you tow and just use up brakes more though.

If leaking, it could be going into the booster drum. Get into a dealer sooner than later. If it's leaking into the booster, it should be covered by the warranty.

 

As people have said, as pad wear the fluid in the reservoir is drawn down. I would check pads and for any fluid leaks(weeping) then top off. The fluid had to go somewhere. Follow the manual for fluid type. Likely it’s pad wear…. Some people are brake happy and they wear quickly. I had a friend whose wife was a brake killer, every 2o-25k new pads. He said cheaper than a divorce. Lol

 

Brakes? No toying around there-go to the stealership and have it checked.
However, I would advise to read the owner manual carefully. Yes, you can ask the web, but you may get answers from really good folks with tons of Tacoma knowledge, but you may also get seriously ill advice. Read the manual first!