This procedure removes air from the brake hydraulic system by bleeding all four brake calipers in the correct sequence to restore proper brake pedal feel and braking performance.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground, set parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
2. Verify you have sufficient DOT 3 brake fluid (at least 1 quart of fresh, unopened fluid)
3. Locate brake fluid reservoir under hood on driver's side firewall and check current level
4. Using turkey baster or extraction syringe, remove old brake fluid from reservoir until level is at MIN line (dispose of properly)
5. Refill reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid
6. Loosen all four wheel lug nuts one full turn while vehicle is on ground
7. Raise vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands at all four corners - vehicle must be level
8. Remove all four wheels and set aside
9. Have assistant available or prepare brake pedal depressor tool

Procedure

1. 1

   Prepare bleeding equipment and identify sequence
   The bleeding sequence for this vehicle is: Right Rear (passenger rear), Left Rear (driver rear), Right Front (passenger front), Left Front (driver front). This sequence bleeds from furthest to closest caliper relative to the master cylinder. Prepare your clear vinyl hose and collection container. Fill container with 2 inches of fresh brake fluid so the end of the hose will be submerged, preventing air from being drawn back into the system.
2. 2

   Bleed right rear caliper (passenger side)
   Locate the bleeder screw on the back of the right rear caliper. Clean the bleeder screw and surrounding area thoroughly with brake cleaner. Attach the clear vinyl hose to the bleeder screw and submerge the other end in your fluid-filled container. Have your assistant pump the brake pedal 3-5 times and hold firm pressure on the pedal. With pressure held, open the bleeder screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn counterclockwise using the 10mm wrench. Observe fluid flowing through the clear hose. When fluid flow stops and pedal reaches the floor, close the bleeder screw BEFORE your assistant releases pedal pressure. Repeat this process until no air bubbles are visible in the discharged fluid (typically 5-10 cycles). Check reservoir level frequently and top off to MAX line - never let it drop below MIN.
   ⚠️The assistant must NEVER release brake pedal pressure while the bleeder screw is open, as this will draw air back into the system.
   ⚠Bleeder screws are fragile. Do not overtighten - use only 10 Nm (7 lb-ft). Overtightening will strip the threads or crack the caliper.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Bleed left rear caliper (driver side)
   Move to the left rear caliper and repeat the identical bleeding process. Clean bleeder screw area, attach hose with submerged end in container, have assistant pump and hold pedal, open bleeder screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn, observe fluid flow with no bubbles, close bleeder screw before releasing pedal. Continue until all air bubbles are eliminated from the discharged fluid. Torque bleeder screw to specification after final cycle. Check and refill reservoir to MAX line.
   Torque spec

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

   Bleed right front caliper (passenger side)
   Move to the right front caliper. The bleeder screw is typically located on the upper rear portion of the caliper body. Clean area thoroughly, attach clear hose with submerged end, and repeat the pump-hold-open-close bleeding sequence. Front calipers may require more cycles due to larger internal volume. Continue until discharged fluid shows no air bubbles. Torque bleeder screw to specification. Check and top off reservoir.
   Torque spec

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

   Bleed left front caliper (driver side)
   Complete the bleeding sequence at the left front caliper using the same procedure. This is the final caliper in the sequence as it is closest to the master cylinder. Clean bleeder area, attach hose, perform pump-hold-open-close cycles until all air is purged. Torque bleeder screw to specification. Top off reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 fluid.
   Torque spec

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

   Perform final pedal check and repeat if necessary
   With all bleeder screws closed and torqued, have your assistant pump the brake pedal several times. The pedal should become firm and maintain height. If pedal feels spongy or sinks slowly, air remains in the system and the entire bleeding sequence must be repeated starting from right rear. A firm pedal indicates successful bleeding. Top off reservoir to MAX line and verify cap is secure.
7. 7

   Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts
   Install all four wheels onto the hubs. Thread lug nuts by hand first to prevent cross-threading. Using torque wrench, tighten lug nuts in a star/cross pattern to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft). Do not tighten in a circular pattern as this can warp the brake rotor or hub.
   ⚠Improper lug nut torque can cause wheel detachment while driving. Always use a calibrated torque wrench and follow the star pattern sequence.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Lower vehicle and perform final torque verification
   Carefully lower vehicle from jack stands to the ground. With vehicle weight on the wheels, perform a final torque verification of all lug nuts in star pattern to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft). This ensures proper seating under load.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify brake fluid reservoir is filled to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 fluid and cap is secure
2. Wipe down all brake components and caliper areas to remove any spilled brake fluid
3. Properly dispose of old brake fluid according to local regulations - do not pour down drains
4. Clean all tools and store bleeder hose for future use

Verification

• Start engine and pump brake pedal - pedal should be firm and consistent with no sinking or sponginess
• With engine running, apply firm brake pressure - pedal should not slowly sink to floor
• Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area - vehicle should stop smoothly without pulling to either side
• Check brake fluid reservoir level after test drive - should remain at MAX line with no leaks visible
• Inspect all four bleeder screws for any signs of fluid seepage - retorque to 10 Nm if necessary
• If pedal remains spongy after bleeding, air may be trapped in ABS hydraulic unit requiring scan tool activation procedure at a professional facility
• Re-check lug nut torque after first 50 miles of driving

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