Brake Fluid Flush

Complete brake fluid flush using pressure or vacuum bleeding method to remove old fluid and air from the hydraulic brake system, ensuring optimal braking performance and preventing moisture contamination.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• DOT 4 brake fluid (unopened bottles) × 2 — Use only DOT 4 specification, fresh from sealed container

Fluids

• DOT 4 brake fluid — 1.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Verify brake fluid reservoir cap is clean and free of debris before opening
4. Open fresh bottle of DOT 4 brake fluid and keep sealed until needed
5. Prepare brake bleeding equipment and ensure all tubing is clean and free of contaminants
6. Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves

Procedure

1. 1

   Lift and support vehicle
   Raise and support the vehicle only at the factory-designated jacking and jack-stand points identified in the vehicle-specific service documentation. Lower the vehicle onto all four jack stands and verify stability before removing all four wheels. Lower vehicle onto all four jack stands and verify stability. Remove all four wheels to access brake calipers.
2. 2

   Locate all four brake bleeder screws
   Identify bleeder screw locations on all four brake calipers. Front calipers have bleeder screws typically on the inboard top side of the caliper body. Rear calipers have bleeder screws on the inboard top side. Verify access to all four bleeder screws before proceeding. Clean area around each bleeder screw with shop towel to prevent dirt contamination during bleeding.
3. 3

   Remove old fluid from reservoir
   Open brake fluid reservoir cap located on the master cylinder (driver side firewall area). Use turkey baster or fluid transfer pump to remove as much old brake fluid as possible from reservoir without exposing the internal pickup. Dispose of old fluid in appropriate waste container. Wipe inside of reservoir with clean shop towel to remove any sediment. Do not allow debris to fall into reservoir.
   ⚠Dispose of old brake fluid according to local environmental regulations. Do not pour down drains or onto ground.
4. 4

   Fill reservoir with fresh DOT 4 fluid
   Fill brake fluid reservoir to the MAX line with fresh DOT 3 (or DOT 4) brake fluid, matching the specification stamped on the reservoir cap, from a newly opened sealed container. Keep reservoir cap nearby but do not reinstall yet. Monitor reservoir level throughout bleeding process and maintain level between MIN and MAX marks at all times. Note: Do not allow the brake fluid reservoir to run dry during the bleeding process. Introducing air into the master cylinder can make bleeding significantly more difficult and may require restarting the entire bleed sequence.
5. 5

   Prepare bleeding sequence
   Brake bleeding sequence for this vehicle is: 1) Right rear, 2) Left rear, 3) Right front, 4) Left front. This sequence bleeds from farthest to closest wheel relative to master cylinder. Prepare clear tubing and catch bottle for first wheel (right rear).
6. 6

   Bleed right rear caliper
   Attach clear plastic tubing to right rear bleeder screw. Submerge other end of tubing in catch bottle with small amount of clean brake fluid to prevent air backflow. Using appropriate wrench, open bleeder screw 1/2 to 3/4 turn. If using pressure bleeder, maintain 15-20 PSI reservoir pressure and allow fluid to flow until no air bubbles appear in tubing and fluid runs clear (approximately 8-12 ounces). If manual bleeding, have assistant pump brake pedal 3-4 times and hold pressure while you open bleeder screw briefly, then close before pedal reaches floor. Repeat until fluid runs clear with no bubbles. Close bleeder screw firmly and check reservoir level. Refill to MAX if needed.
   ⚠️Never allow brake pedal to be released while bleeder screw is open during manual bleeding. This can draw air back into the system.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Bleed left rear caliper
   Move to left rear caliper and repeat bleeding process. Attach tubing to bleeder screw, open screw 1/2 to 3/4 turn, and flush fluid until clear with no air bubbles visible in tubing (approximately 8-12 ounces). Close bleeder screw to specified torque. Check and refill reservoir to MAX line.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Bleed right front caliper
   Move to right front caliper and repeat bleeding process. Attach tubing to bleeder screw, open screw 1/2 to 3/4 turn, and flush fluid until clear with no air bubbles visible in tubing (approximately 8-12 ounces). Close bleeder screw to specified torque. Check and refill reservoir to MAX line.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Bleed left front caliper
   Move to left front caliper and complete final bleeding. Attach tubing to bleeder screw, open screw 1/2 to 3/4 turn, and flush fluid until clear with no air bubbles visible in tubing (approximately 8-12 ounces). Close bleeder screw to specified torque. Check and refill reservoir to MAX line. Wipe all bleeder screws and caliper areas clean of any spilled brake fluid.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Final reservoir fill and system check
    Fill brake fluid reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 4 fluid. Install reservoir cap securely. With engine off, pump brake pedal 15-20 times and verify pedal becomes firm and does not sink. Pedal should have solid, consistent feel with no sponginess. If pedal feels soft or sinks, repeat bleeding process starting from right rear wheel.
    ⚠A spongy or sinking pedal indicates air remains in the system. Do not drive vehicle until pedal is firm.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Reinstall all four wheels, hand-tightening lug nuts in star pattern. Raise vehicle slightly on jack to unload suspension, then torque all lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Lower vehicle completely to ground and perform final torque verification of all lug nuts in star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify brake fluid reservoir is filled to MAX line with cap securely installed
2. Verify all four bleeder screws are tightened to proper torque and free of leaks
3. Verify all wheels are installed with lug nuts torqued to specification in star pattern
4. Clean any brake fluid residue from wheels, calipers, and body panels with water

Verification

• With engine off, pump brake pedal repeatedly and verify firm, consistent pedal feel with no sinking or sponginess
• Start engine and verify brake pedal remains firm and does not sink with sustained pressure
• Visually inspect all four bleeder screws and brake lines for any signs of fluid leakage
• Check brake fluid reservoir level is at MAX line
• Perform careful test drive in safe area at low speed (under 20 mph), verifying normal brake response and firm pedal feel before returning to normal driving
• After test drive, recheck all bleeder screws for tightness and verify no leaks are present
• Recheck brake fluid reservoir level after test drive and top off to MAX if needed

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