How to Flush Your Car’s Brake Fluid in 5 Easy Steps

,p>Over time, you may need to change your car’s brake fluid depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations or the performance of your car’s brakes. If you’re looking to flush your car’s brake fluid, you need to take a few essential steps to make sure the job gets done right. Here are the five steps you should follow to flush your car’s brake fluid safely. Your brakes will thank you.

Step 1

The first step in flushing your brake fluid is to locate the brake master cylinder under your car’s hood. Next, unscrew the cap and, with a turkey baster, suck all of the fluid out of the master cylinder.

Step 2

Next, fill the master cylinder with new brake fluid. Make sure that you use fresh fluid, as brake fluid will deteriorate quickly once the bottle has been opened.

Step 3

The next step involves flushing the remaining fluid from the brake lines near each caliper. This requires you to remove the tires to complete this process. Also, you will need a helper who can pump the brakes while you observe the brake fluid that’s being flushed. Consult your manufacturer to determine which caliper to flush first, but typically the caliper furthest from the master cylinder should be flushed first.

Step 4

Locate the bleeder valve on your car’s brake caliper. Be aware that you will need to position a plastic container and some rags to catch the brake fluid flushed from the lines. Open the valve and have your helper pump the brakes a few times until you see new brake fluid flowing from the valve, then close the bleeder valve. You will need to repeat this process for each brake caliper.

Step 5

Finally, as you complete bleeding each caliper, you should monitor brake fluid levels to ensure that the fluid in the master cylinder does not fall below the minimum fluid level indicator. If brake fluid falls below this level, you may introduce air into the brake system, and you will need to repeat this process to bleed the air out of the brake lines.

Flushing your brake fluid is a labor-intensive project that will take some time and effort, but you can perform this project yourself if you have a helper and a free afternoon. However, if you do not feel comfortable with this job, consult your car care professional to get your brake fluid flushed and your car back on the road.