95 Honda Civic. The brake fluid is between the minimum and maximum marks and the brake pads haven‘t been changed in a long time. If I fill it to the maximum mark will I get better braking power?
all of the pressure comes from the brake pedal acting on a piston in the master cylinder. that pressure is transferred through the brake lines to every where that is needed. the level in that master cylinder does nothing to increase the pressure, as long as there is enough to avoid air in the lines.
No, the fluid level is irrelevant to your braking power, unless of course if it's empty then your master cylinder will suck in air and you will have a very spongy pedal. Your braking performance relies mainly on the condition of your braking system, the quality of the parts used and the overall condition of your braking hardware such as sticky calipers and deteriorating rubber hoses will all make your braking distance longer. Also old brake fluid will accumulate moisture over time and debris and will contaminate your system, it's not a bad idea to flush the system once in awhile. When I change my brakes especially the front ones, I usually top off the reservoir at the full mark and leave it that way, your front brake pads will always wear out a lot faster, so I use my fluid reservoir to let me know how worn my brake pads are, as the pads wear out the caliper's pistons stay out further and further sucking in more fluid. So if I hear grinding I look at my fluid, if it's starting to get real low then I go the extra step and remove a wheel to look at my pads as they will most probably be due for replacement.
