brakes
Brake Fluid Flush
for 2024 Tesla Model X Long Range Dual Motor AWD · AWD
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
48 min
Tools
11
Steps
10
Complete brake fluid flush on a 2024 Tesla Model X Long Range, replacing all old DOT 3 brake fluid with fresh fluid at all four calipers. Tesla recommends this service every 2 years regardless of mileage.
Warnings
⚠️Do not service this vehicle with the key fob inside or near it. Model X can self-energize the air suspension and 12V loads at any time when the fob is in range.
⚠️Brake fluid is hygroscopic and corrosive. Do not allow it to contact paint, aluminum body panels, or rubber components. Model X has aluminum bodywork — spilled fluid will damage paint quickly.
⚠Service Mode should be enabled via the touchscreen before working on the brakes. This prevents the air suspension from auto-leveling and disables creep/regen behaviors during bleeding.
⚠Do not operate the Falcon doors while the vehicle is on jack stands or with body flexing. The hinge/sensor assembly is alignment-sensitive and is the most common service item on Model X.
⚠Use only fresh DOT 3 from a previously sealed container. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air within hours of opening.
ℹ️Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage. Record this service date.
Tools required
Pressure brake bleeder or vacuum bleederEssential
Clear bleeder hose and catch bottleEssential
Box-end wrench for bleeder screws (typically 11mm)Essential
Torque wrench (5–25 Nm range)Essential
Torque wrench (50–200 Nm range)Essential
Floor jack and jack stands rated for vehicle weightEssential
Tesla-approved jack pad adapters (puck)Essential
Lug nut socket (21mm) and breaker barEssential
Turkey baster or syringe for reservoir extraction
Lint-free shop towels
Nitrile gloves and safety glasses
Parts
- Bleeder screw dust caps (replace if damaged) × 4 — OEM specification
Fluids
- DOT 3 Brake Fluid (sealed, fresh container) — 1.5 qt
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
- 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.
- Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery located in the frunk (similar position to Model S). Remove frunk trim as required to access the 12V negative terminal.
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- 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.
- Before disconnecting 12V: enable Service Mode via the touchscreen, set air suspension to 'Jack Mode' (suspension height locked), and disable auto-leveling.
- Confirm Falcon doors are fully closed and will remain closed throughout the procedure.
- Verify brake fluid type on the master cylinder reservoir cap (DOT 3) and have at least 1 liter of fresh sealed fluid on hand.
- Loosen all four wheel lug nuts slightly while wheels are on the ground.
Procedure
- 1Lift vehicle and remove wheelsUsing Tesla-approved jack pad adapters at the factory lift points, raise the vehicle and support it on jack stands rated for the vehicle's weight (Model X is heavy — verify stand capacity). Remove all four wheels.⚠Never lift Model X without the proper puck adapters — the battery floor pan can be damaged by direct jack contact.
- 2Inspect calipers and bleeder screwsInspect each caliper for leaks, torn boots, or damaged bleeder screws. Remove the rubber dust cap from each bleeder. Pre-loosen each bleeder screw 1/8 turn to confirm it will break free, then snug it back. If a bleeder is seized, stop and address before introducing fresh fluid.
- 3Extract old fluid from master cylinder reservoirOpen the frunk and locate the brake fluid reservoir on the brake master cylinder (driver-side bulkhead area). Clean around the cap before opening. Use a clean syringe or turkey baster to remove as much old fluid as possible without uncovering the supply ports. Refill to the MAX line with fresh DOT 3.⚠Do not allow the reservoir to run dry during bleeding — this will introduce air into the ABS/iBooster module and require a scan-tool-assisted bleed.
- 4Connect pressure bleederAttach the pressure bleeder adapter to the master cylinder reservoir per the bleeder manufacturer's instructions. Pressurize to the bleeder tool's recommended pressure (typically 10–15 psi). Verify no leakage at the cap seal.
- 5Bleed right rear caliperBegin at the wheel furthest from the master cylinder. Attach a clear hose to the right rear bleeder, route into a catch bottle with a small amount of fresh fluid covering the hose end. Open the bleeder and allow old (typically darker) fluid to flow until clean, clear fluid runs through the hose with no air bubbles for at least 10 seconds. Close the bleeder.ℹ️Verify bleeding sequence against the current Tesla Service Manual for this VIN — sequence can vary by ABS module configuration.Torque specBleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
- 6Bleed left rear caliperRepeat the bleeding procedure at the left rear caliper. Continue until fluid runs clean and bubble-free. Monitor the master cylinder reservoir level and refill as needed — never let it drop below MIN.Torque specBleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
- 7Bleed right front caliperMove to the right front caliper. Attach hose, open bleeder, and flush until clean fluid emerges with no air. Close bleeder.Torque specBleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
- 8Bleed left front caliperBleed the left front caliper last (closest to master cylinder). Flush until clean fluid emerges. Close bleeder.Torque specBleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
- 9Depressurize and remove pressure bleederRelease pressure from the bleeder tool per its instructions before removing it from the reservoir. Wipe any residue from the reservoir area. Adjust fluid level to the MAX line with fresh DOT 3 and reinstall the reservoir cap.⚠Any spilled fluid on aluminum bodywork must be flushed immediately with water — DOT 3 will lift paint within minutes.
- 10Reinstall bleeder dust capsWipe each bleeder screw clean and confirm final torque. Reinstall the rubber dust cap on each bleeder. Inspect for any seepage at each caliper.Torque specBleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Reinstall all four wheels. Hand-thread lug nuts to avoid cross-threading.
- Lower the vehicle to the ground.
- Final-torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
- Reconnect the 12V battery in the frunk and reinstall any trim removed for access.
- Close the frunk.
- Re-enter the vehicle with the key fob, exit Service Mode via the touchscreen, and allow the air suspension to re-level.
Verification
- With the vehicle awake, pump the brake pedal several times — pedal should be firm and high, not spongy. A spongy pedal indicates trapped air and may require an ABS/iBooster scan-tool bleed.
- Inspect all four calipers and the master cylinder reservoir for leaks after pumping the pedal.
- Confirm no brake-related alerts on the touchscreen (ABS, traction, parking brake, brake fluid level).
- Perform a low-speed test drive in a safe area: verify normal braking, regenerative braking transition, and that the parking brake engages/releases correctly via the touchscreen.
- Recheck fluid level after the test drive and top off to MAX if needed.
- Record the service date — Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage. Next service due 2 years from today.