Complete brake fluid flush on a 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid. Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture-induced corrosion in the ABS/iBooster system.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Master cylinder reservoir cap seal (inspect, replace if degraded) × 1 — OEM specification — verify by VIN

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid (verify by VIN — some newer Model S require DOT 4; do not mix) — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the 12V (or 16V lithium on this Plaid, located under the rear seat — verify which your VIN has) low-voltage battery negative terminal. Some 2021+ Plaid units have the 16V LV battery under the rear seat instead of the frunk.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
6. Confirm correct brake fluid spec for this VIN (DOT 3 vs DOT 4) via the master cylinder reservoir label or Tesla service documentation. Do not mix specifications.
7. Loosen (do not remove) all four wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
8. Raise the vehicle using Tesla-approved jack pad locations with hockey pucks or proper adapters. Support all four corners on jack stands rated for the Plaid's curb weight.
9. Remove all four wheels to gain access to bleeder screws at each caliper.
10. Place fender covers or absorbent mats over the aluminum body around the master cylinder reservoir to catch any drips.

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate and access the brake fluid reservoir
   Open the frunk. The brake fluid reservoir is mounted to the iBooster assembly on the driver-side firewall area on LHD vehicles. Remove any cowl trim or cover panel obstructing access per the manufacturer-specified removal procedure. Clean the area around the reservoir cap thoroughly before opening to prevent contamination from entering the hydraulic system.
   ⚠Do not allow dirt or moisture to enter the reservoir — contamination can damage the iBooster internals.
2. 2

   Extract old fluid from reservoir
   Remove the master cylinder cap. Using a clean fluid extractor or turkey baster dedicated to brake fluid, remove as much of the old fluid from the reservoir as possible without uncovering the supply ports. Dispose of the old fluid as hazardous waste. Refill the reservoir to the MAX line with fresh, sealed brake fluid of the correct specification.
   ⚠Never let the reservoir run completely dry — air will be drawn into the iBooster, which is difficult to bleed without Tesla Toolbox.
3. 3

   Connect pressure bleeder
   Attach a power/pressure bleeder filled with fresh brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir using the manufacturer-specified adapter. Pressurize to 15-20 psi (do not exceed bleeder manufacturer's rating or Tesla's recommendation). Verify no leaks at the cap adapter before proceeding.
   ⚠Over-pressurizing can rupture the reservoir or damage iBooster seals.
4. 4

   Bleed sequence — start at furthest caliper
   Bleed in the manufacturer-specified sequence. The conventional sequence is furthest-from-master-cylinder first: typically right rear, left rear, right front, left front. ⚠️ VERIFY THE EXACT BLEED SEQUENCE WITH THE TESLA SERVICE MANUAL FOR THIS VIN before proceeding, as iBooster-equipped vehicles may have specific requirements.
   ⚠Wrong sequence can leave air trapped in the system and cause a soft pedal.
5. 5

   Bleed right rear caliper
   Place clear hose over the bleeder screw and route into a catch bottle with a small amount of fresh fluid (hose tip submerged). Crack the bleeder screw open with a flare/bleeder wrench. Allow fluid to flow until clean, clear, bubble-free fluid emerges (typically 250-400 ml per corner). Close the bleeder screw and torque it.
   ⚠Do not overtighten the bleeder screw — 10 Nm only. Stripping a bleeder requires caliper replacement.
   Torque spec

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

   Bleed left rear caliper
   Repeat the bleeding procedure at the left rear caliper. Monitor the reservoir level on the pressure bleeder and top off as needed to maintain pressure. Close and torque the bleeder screw.
   Torque spec

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

   Bleed right front caliper
   Repeat the bleeding procedure at the right front caliper. The Plaid uses large performance front calipers — expect higher fluid volume to fully flush. Continue until clean, bubble-free fluid emerges. Close and torque the bleeder screw.
   Torque spec

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

   Bleed left front caliper
   Repeat the bleeding procedure at the left front caliper. Close and torque the bleeder screw.
   Torque spec

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

   Depressurize and disconnect bleeder
   Release pressure on the power bleeder per its instructions. Carefully disconnect the adapter from the reservoir, catching any residual fluid in a rag. Wipe the reservoir and surrounding area clean.
   ⚠Brake fluid on aluminum body panels will damage the finish — flush any spills immediately with water.
10. 10

    Set reservoir level and reinstall cap
    Adjust fluid level to the MAX line on the reservoir. Inspect the cap seal for damage and replace if degraded. Reinstall the master cylinder cap hand-tight per spec.
    Torque spec

    Master Cylinder Cap4 Nm (3 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall any cowl/cover panels
    Reinstall any frunk trim or cover panels that were removed for access. Torque any fasteners to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all four wheels. Hand-thread lug nuts to seat the wheel against the hub.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Torque wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
4. Reconnect the 12V/16V low-voltage battery negative terminal.
5. Close the frunk and verify it latches properly.
6. With the vehicle still in P and parking brake set, press the brake pedal firmly several times. The pedal should feel firm and consistent — not spongy or sinking. If pedal is soft, air remains in the system and re-bleeding is required.

Verification

• Confirm brake pedal is firm with normal travel — no sponginess or sink.
• Check the instrument cluster for any ABS, brake, or iBooster warning lights. If any appear, Tesla Toolbox or service center diagnostics may be required.
• Inspect each bleeder screw and the master cylinder reservoir cap for leaks after the test drive.
• Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area: confirm normal stopping behavior, no pulling, no ABS activation under normal braking.
• Test regenerative braking transition to friction braking at low speed — should be seamless.
• Optional: test fresh fluid moisture content with a brake fluid test strip to confirm <1% moisture (ideally <0.5%).
• Log the service date and odometer. Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — set a reminder for the next interval.
• If any warning persists or the pedal feel is not normal, STOP driving the vehicle and consult a Tesla-certified technician — the iBooster system requires factory diagnostics for some fault conditions.

More procedures for this vehicle