How To Service Brake Fluid

Having a low brake fluid level? Refilling it is very simple.

1. Park your car on a level surface.

2. If the brake fluid reservoir cap is dirty, clean it so that no debris falls into the reservoir.

3. Take off the cap. If the fluid is excessively black or contains debris, you need to see a workshop for a brake fluid replacement, since the fluid may have reached the end of its useful life.

4. Add brake fluid slowly and cautiously to the reservoir until the level reaches the maximum fill mark.

5. Screw the reservoir cap back on tightly.

6. Drive your car for a short amount of time, brake occasionally, then check the fluid again while parked on a level place to ensure a successful refill.

   
   

Brake Bleeding is the procedure of removing air from the hydraulic brake system. Since air is compressible and fluid isn’t, any air in the brake system will result in impaired brake performance. There are four common bleeding methods:

Gravity Bleeding: In this procedure, the fluid is simply allowed to flow down into the calipers and wheel cylinders.

Manual Bleeding: It is the most commonly used method. Together, the master cylinder and the brake pedal are used as a pump to force fluid to flow through an open bleeder screw.

Pressure Bleeding: This involves forcing fluid through the bleeder screws using a pressurized tank of braking fluid. Pressure bleeding is a one-man process for removing air and cleaning hydraulic systems.

Vacuum Bleeding: A vacuum pump is used to pull out fluid and air from the bleeder screw. It is similar to pressure bleeding but works in the opposite way. It is a very simple and effective process.

Bleeding a car's brakes properly requires technical expertise. If you are unsure, contact a trained mechanic who can do brake work for you. Here is a brief overview of the process. Before getting started, there are a few precautionary measures to be taken:

• Never work on the brakes immediately after a drive. Brake lines and the fluid contained within them can get quite hot.

• Always use latex gloves while working with brake fluid since it might cause cancer.

• Avoid allowing brake fluid to come into contact with the brake pads or rotor. It has the potential to grease the brake pads while decreasing braking performance.

• If you see a brake line leak, have a professional repair it first.

• Never use old brake fluid again. Impurities in it may damage important sections of your brake system.

• Clean up spills as soon as possible, since brake fluid can chip away at the paint on your automobile.

Step 1: Get the correct brake fluid. Refer to the owner's manual for the correct type and quantity of brake fluid required. 

Step 2: Jack Up The Vehicle And Remove The Tires. Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface. 

Step 5: Start with the rear passenger side brake caliper. The order may be different depending on the vehicle. Consult a vehicle-specific service manual. Attach a transparent tube to the brake bleeder valve. Dip the other end of the tube into some brake fluid to prevent air from entering as you bleed the brakes. 

Step 6: Loosen the bleeder screw, making sure to only loosen it slightly and not completely remove it from the caliper.

Step 7: With the engine off, have an assistant engage the brake pedal. Push the pedal several times until you see fluid flowing through the tube. Continue pushing the pedal until no air bubbles are seen passing through the tube. This indicates that the brake line is air free. 

Step 8: Close the bleeder screw and remove the tube. Hold the end of the tube to prevent fluid from spilling out. 

Step 9: Check the brake fluid reservoir after bleeding each corner of the vehicle. Top up the fluid if necessary.

Step 10: Repeat this process for each side. Ensure you follow the correct order specific to the vehicle.