P5 shaking and brake fluid leak

[mstep]

2 weeks ago the car's brake light came on and thought it was my loose handbrake because i bought it like that from the guy 2 years ago so thought the light would go off. 2 weeks till i decide to check under the hood and realized my fluid was real low, id say 1/2in under the minimum line. so top it off and the light goes off. 2 days ago the light comes back on and see the fluid is low again but not as low as before. id say a 1/4in from the full line. so top it off today and light is off. also steering wheel started shaking on highway 2 weeks ago and now its shaking at like 30-40mph. i havent done front pads in over a year and im guessing its the pads. if the pads are real low, would it cause the car to leak fluid because the brake piston has to go further than usual? also i recall slammin on the brakes 2 weeks ago because this moron ran a stop sign

 

[hotcracker69]

check all your rotors condition, calipers for leaks, and pads.

 

[kms1990]

check master cylinder for leaks as well, may not be obvious at first look

 

[mstep]

will do and check back here tonight. thanks for the suggestions

 

[lowlevel]

Pump the brakes in the driveway and see if you find any fluid on the ground... I keep a large peice of cardboard up against the wall in the garage that I can put on the floor and park on to help make things easier to find the wet spot. Sounds like it'll be at one of your front calipers. If you're losing it and can't find it at any of the suggested places, it could be filling up your brake booster.