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How to replace and bleed the brake fluid | Brake bleeding

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 2/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS, YOU PAY $25 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 1 HOUR TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • SAFETY: AVOID SKIN CONTACT WITH THE FLUID.

BEFORE YOU START
  • Two persons are required for this job.
  • Vehicle manufacturers do not recommend to use the brake pedal for the brake circuit bleeding. This method is however safe if performed properly and require no brake bleeding kit or vacuum machine.
  • It is recommended to replace the fluid every 2 years.
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

Brake fluid bleeding pictorial

1- Check which brake fluid suits your vehicle. It's mentioned on the cap. DOT 4 fluids are required for all the recent vehicles. Use DOT 3 for older cars.
2- Remove the filter. Take care not to damage it if you use a tool. You may insert a small slotted screw driver between the filter edge and the tank's body.​
3- The main tools that are needed are a big syringe purchased at any pharmacy, a transparent tube and a transparent jar.​
​4- Fit a piece of transparent tube to the syringe and empty your brake fluid tank.​​
5- Put the liquid in the jar. Note how it is brownish.​
6- Make sure to empty completely the brake fluid tank.
7- Always use a sealed fluid container to top up the brake fluid. Discard any open container you find.
​
8- Refill the tank to beyond the "max" mark and keep it open. Note how the new liquid is transparent.
​
9- Prepare spanners of sizes 8,9,10, or 11. Most brake bleeding screws will be 8. it is not necessarily the same size on all four wheels.
Prepare the first brake by inserting the transparent tube into the bleeding screw (right picture) and laying it down the jar.
Follow the below order for the bleeding:
1- Rear Right brake
2- Rear Left brake
3- Front Right brake
​4- Front Left brake
Now the second operator is required and should sit inside the vehicle and open the windows to hear you.
  • Loosen the screw just a little while instructing your helper to press the brake pedal with the engine off (left picture).
  • The pedal should be pressed as slowly as possible till the end. It should take at least 3 seconds.
  • DO NOT PRESS THE PEDAL FAST as this could result in the liquid emulsion at the bleed screw level.
  • If it is too hard, loosen a bit more the screw.
  • You will notice the brown liquid getting inside your transparent tube (middle picture) up to the jar.
  • Now your helper has to tell you he reached the end. Tighten the screw and tell him/her to release the pedal.
  • THE PEDAL SHOULD NOT BE RELEASED prior to re-tightening the screw as this could pull air into the system.
  • Repeat the above 4 to 6 times before moving to the next wheel.
  • Replenish the brake fluid level in between two wheels (right picture).
  • DO NOT FORGET TO DO SO to avoid pulling air into the pump.
You may also buy brake fluid bleeding kits here, some are pneumatic and require compressed air:
Final checklist:
  • Make sure you did refit the rubber caps to all four brake bleeding screws.
  • You should have collected a significant quantity of liquid i.e. used at least 3/4 of the new liquid container contents.
  • Refit the filter and tighten well the tank cap.
  • Press the brake pedal twice while the engine is On prior to performing the test drive.

See also our other tips on brake fluids and braking systems: