How to Replace Brake Fluid in a Car?
2 Answers
The steps to replace brake fluid in a car are: 1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface, turn off the engine, open the hood, and drain the fluid from the reservoir; 2. Use a funnel to fill the reservoir with new brake fluid; 3. Use a jack to lift the vehicle and remove the tires, starting with the rear wheels; 4. Remove the rubber dust cap on the brake caliper; 5. Use a wrench to loosen the bleeder screw and attach a rubber tube to it, connecting it to a drain bottle; 6. Press the brake pedal inside the car while observing the fluid drainage until the fluid level in the reservoir under the hood reaches the lower limit; 7. Start the vehicle and test the brakes in a relatively safe area.
Last time I changed the brake fluid myself, it took me most of the day. First, I had to jack up the car and remove the wheels, starting with the right rear wheel to bleed the old fluid in sequence. I got someone to help press the brake pedal while I loosened the bleed screw underneath, letting the dark, dirty fluid drain through the tube into a bottle. The process wasn't complete until fresh fluid came out, and I had to make sure the reservoir didn't run dry to avoid air getting into the system—that would've been trouble. After finishing, I had to pump the brake pedal a dozen times until it felt firm and solid. Wearing gloves is a must—brake fluid can corrode your skin and ruin car paint. Although I saved about 300 yuan in labor costs, next time I might just drive straight to the repair shop.
