Brief Description of How to Replace Brake Fluid in the Braking System
2 Answers
Here are the steps to replace the brake fluid: 1. First, ensure the vehicle is turned off and open the brake fluid reservoir cap. Use a syringe to extract all the brake fluid inside until the reservoir is completely empty. 2. Then, pour new brake fluid into the reservoir (1-2L), depending on the reservoir's capacity. 3. Use a lift to raise the bottom of the car, or alternatively, use a jack. 4. Locate the brake caliper's bleed screw and remove the dust cap from the bleed nipple. 5. Loosen the bleed screw with a wrench, attach a rubber tube to it, and connect the other end to a drain bottle. 6. Now, start pumping the brake pedal. Pay attention to the color of the brake fluid in the rubber tube. If the color remains dark, it indicates that the old brake fluid hasn't been fully drained. If the color becomes lighter, it means the tire's fluid has been successfully replaced. Stop pumping the brake pedal and reinstall the screw and dust cap (repeat this process for the other three tires). It's advisable to have one person operate the brake pedal while another monitors the fluid color to prevent accidentally draining all the fluid from the reservoir, which could allow air to enter the brake system. 7. Finally, check the brake fluid level. If it's below the minimum mark, top it up with additional brake fluid.
Helped my neighbor replace brake fluid the other day, and the steps are actually quite clear. First, stabilize the car and loosen the wheels, making sure to have new brake fluid of the same type ready. Locate the bleed screws on all four brake calipers, and follow the correct sequence: right rear → left rear → right front → left front. Attach a tube to the bleed screw and insert the other end into an empty bottle. One person pumps the brake pedal five or six times and holds it down, while the other loosens the screw to let the old fluid and air bubbles escape. The key is to keep adding new fluid while draining the old to prevent the reservoir from running dry—otherwise, air can enter the system and cause issues. Before tightening the screw, ensure the fluid coming out is bubble-free. Then, cap the reservoir, start the car, and pump the brakes a few times to test the pedal feel. Always wear gloves—brake fluid is highly corrosive.
