Replace old brake fluid with fresh DOT 4 LV fluid by bleeding all four wheels in the proper sequence to maintain brake system integrity and performance.

Warnings

Tools required

Fluids

• Motorcraft DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen all wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise vehicle with floor jack and support securely on all four jack stands at manufacturer-designated lift points
5. Remove all four wheels
6. Locate brake fluid reservoir under hood on driver side firewall (master cylinder)
7. Clean area around reservoir cap to prevent contamination
8. Verify you have sufficient Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid (minimum 1 quart, recommend 2 quarts)
9. Identify bleeding sequence: Right Rear (RR) → Left Rear (LR) → Right Front (RF) → Left Front (LF)

Procedure

1. 1

   Prepare master cylinder reservoir
   Remove brake fluid reservoir cap. Use turkey baster or extraction pump to remove as much old fluid as possible from reservoir without exposing internal ports. Wipe inside of reservoir with clean lint-free cloth if heavily contaminated. Fill reservoir to MAX line with fresh Motorcraft DOT 4 LV brake fluid. Keep bottle of fresh fluid and funnel nearby for frequent refilling during bleeding process.
2. 2

   Prepare right rear bleeder screw
   Locate bleeder screw on top or rear of right rear brake caliper. Clean bleeder screw and surrounding area thoroughly. Attach clear plastic tubing over bleeder screw nipple. Place other end of tubing into catch bottle with small amount of fresh brake fluid to prevent air from being drawn back through tubing.
3. 3

   Bleed right rear brake
   Have assistant pump brake pedal 5-7 times and hold firm pressure. While pedal is held down, loosen bleeder screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn using 8mm wrench. Observe fluid flowing through clear tubing into catch bottle. When pedal reaches floor, tighten bleeder screw before releasing pedal. Repeat this process until clear, bubble-free fluid flows consistently (typically 5-10 cycles). Check and refill master cylinder reservoir frequently - never let level drop below MIN line. When complete, ensure bleeder screw is tight to specification.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Bleed left rear brake
   Move to left rear brake caliper. Repeat the same bleeding procedure: attach tubing, pump pedal 5-7 times, hold pressure, open bleeder screw, close when pedal reaches floor. Continue until clean, bubble-free fluid flows. Check master cylinder reservoir level and refill as needed. Tighten bleeder screw to specification when complete.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Bleed right front brake
   Move to right front brake caliper. Repeat bleeding procedure: attach clear tubing to bleeder screw, pump pedal 5-7 times, hold pressure, open bleeder screw, observe fluid flow, close bleeder when pedal reaches floor. Continue until clean, air-free fluid flows consistently. Monitor and refill master cylinder reservoir frequently. Tighten bleeder screw to specification.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Bleed left front brake
   Move to left front brake caliper (final position). Repeat complete bleeding procedure one last time. This is the final bleed point, so be especially thorough - continue until absolutely no air bubbles appear and fluid is completely clear. Check master cylinder reservoir and refill to MAX line. Tighten bleeder screw to specification.
   ⚠This is the last bleeding point. Ensure absolutely no air bubbles remain in fluid stream before finishing.
   Torque spec

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

   Verify pedal feel and system integrity
   With engine off, pump brake pedal 10-15 times. Pedal should feel firm and consistent with high engagement point. If pedal feels soft or spongy, repeat bleeding sequence starting from right rear. Check all four bleeder screws to ensure they are tight. Inspect around each bleeder screw and brake line connection for any signs of leakage.
8. 8

   Final reservoir check and reinstall wheels
   Check master cylinder reservoir one final time. Fluid level should be at MAX line with fresh, clean fluid visible. Install reservoir cap securely. Wipe any spilled fluid from painted or plastic surfaces. Reinstall all four wheels, hand-threading lug nuts initially.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and final torque
   Carefully lower vehicle from jack stands until wheels contact ground but vehicle weight is not fully on wheels. Torque all lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Torque lug nuts again in star pattern to verify proper seating. Remove wheel chocks.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Test brake system function
    Start engine and pump brake pedal several times. Pedal should remain firm with power assist active. With engine running, hold firm pressure on brake pedal for 30 seconds - pedal should not slowly sink. Turn off engine and pump pedal until power assist is depleted (pedal becomes harder) - should take 2-3 pumps, confirming booster function. Check master cylinder reservoir level one final time.

Reassembly

1. Verify all four bleeder screws are torqued to 10 Nm (7 lb-ft) - do not overtighten as this can strip threads
2. Ensure brake fluid reservoir is filled to MAX line and cap is securely installed
3. Confirm all wheel lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in star pattern
4. Dispose of old brake fluid properly at hazardous waste collection facility or auto parts store

Verification

• With engine running, brake pedal should feel firm and engage high with normal travel
• No soft or spongy pedal feel - if present, air remains in system and re-bleeding is required
• No brake warning lights illuminated on instrument cluster
• Visual inspection shows no fluid leaks at any bleeder screw or brake line connection
• Test drive in safe area at low speed: brakes should engage smoothly and evenly without pulling to either side
• Perform several moderate stops from 25-30 mph to verify normal brake function before returning to regular driving
• After test drive, recheck master cylinder fluid level and inspect all bleeders for leaks
• Check brake pedal feel again after test drive to confirm no air has entered system

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