Brake fluid over MAX line

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

The only problem you may run into is if the brake accumulator tank discharges or bleeds down completely when the car is off. It could fill the reservoir and potentially crack it if the cap doesn't pop off. I don't know the exact volume of the reservoir or the accumulator. I DO know that when I bleed all the fluid from the accumulator tank to do brake work, it significantly raises the level in the reservoir. Most reservoirs have a max level based on ensuring there is adequate surge volume for all operating and maintenance conditions.

If desired, it would be very easy to lower this level. Just use a "flavor injector" available at any grocery store for a few bucks to suck some fluid out.

 

The level markings on the brake fluid bottle are positioned for when the system is "zeroed down"—that is, when all pressure inside the system has been relieved and the fluid returned back to the bottle. Many people have skimmed over this detail, including technicians at shops.

It is tricky to check in the correct condition: as soon as the driver's door is opened, if the pressure is low, the pump will run and move fluid from the bottle back into the pressure system.

If a technician looks at the level when the system isn't zeroed down, and says "gee, looks low" and tops off to the line, the level will be too high when the system is zeroed down.

Also, if the fluid was ever topped off while worn pads were in place, and then new pads were put on, the level will now be too high.

Nothing really awful happens when it's too high. You can just baste some out to get the level right. If the pads are currently worn, you shouldn't expect the fluid to be right up to the line, even when zeroed down.

 

Yeah after car has sat overnight, open front passenger door, pop the hood, raise it. THEN open driver's door and scoot back around to the front: while it's whirring you can see the level drop in the reservoir.

If level was correct from the factory, and there are no leaks (there really shouldn't be), the level should always be "correct", ie: it'll drop as the pads wear, and when you push back the pistons for new pads it should rise back to the level it was at originally. As long as it hasn't been "topped up".

When changing brake fluid, I first open driver's door, let the level stablize, then aim to finish the job with the level the same.

 

Should add: that's third gen behavior, but second gen could well be the same.

 

That behavior is the same in Gen 2. There is an accumulator pump, and when it runs, it takes fluid out of the reservoir, and stores it internally in the accumulator under pressure. The reservoir level drops as that pump runs.

If the car has been sitting unused for many hours, the pump is likely to run as soon as the driver's door is opened. If you have the hood already open so you can look at the reservoir when the driver's door is opened and the pump runs, you can watch the level drop.

If I remember right, though, Gen 2 has a reservoir that is wider than Gen 3's, which is more narrow and tall, so it could well be easier to miss the drop in level in Gen 2.