Brake fluid is a necessary part of any car owner’s toolkit, and it’s important to know how to use it. Here are four ways you can flush brake fluid with tires on:
1. Park your car on a level surface and apply the brakes.
2. Pour brake fluid into the reservoir under the car.
3. Remove the cap on the brake line near the wheel and allow the fluid to run into the tire.
4. Use a funnel to fill the brake line with brake fluid and replace the cap.
What is brake fluid and why do we need it?
Brake fluid is a fluid used in braking systems on vehicles. Brake fluid helps to reduce fade and wear on the braking system, as well as prolonging brake system life. Most brake fluids are made up of a combination of solvents and DOT 3 or 4 performance additives.
When your brakes stop working, you may be tempted to try to fix them by flushing the brake fluid with your tires still on the ground. DON’T DO IT! Flushing brake fluid with your tires still on the ground can void your warranty and can also damage your brakes. The reason why is because when you flush brake fluid, the air pressure inside the system becomes much higher than ambient air pressure outside the system. This causes fluids and debris to be forced into all of the small openings in the brake system, including those that lead to the pistons and cylinders that make the brakes work. By doing this, you can cause significant damage to your brakes and even loss of braking ability.
How to flush brake fluid
If your car has a manual transmission, you will need to remove the fluid reservoir cap and use a funnel to add fluid to the brake fluid reservoir. If your car has an automatic transmission, you will need to press the brake pedal all the way to the floor and then release it. Repeat this process until the fluid reservoir is half-full. Drive your car until it stalls, then park it and turn off the engine. Use a wrench to remove the drain plug on the bottom of the reservoir. Pour out the old brake fluid and replace it with fresh fluid using the funnel or a container. Reinstall the drain plug and cap.
What are the risks of flushing brake fluid?
Brake fluid can contain high levels of pressure and, if released, could cause serious injury. Flushing brake fluid with tires on can also cause a blowout, which can lead to serious injuries.
How to avoid flushing brake fluid
If you have to flush your brake fluid, do it in a safe and controlled manner. Follow these guidelines:
-Don’t use your car’s vacuum cleaner to flush the system. This could damage the system and cause a leak.
-Use a bucket, pot or ventilated container that can hold at least 2 gallons of fluid.
-Remove the brake pads and pull off any hoses that connect to the master cylinder.
-Fill the bucket, pot or container with brake fluid up to the level of the hoses. Do not overfill.
-Push down on the brake pedal until it bottoms out.
-Release the pedal and allow the fluid to flow into the system. Repeat this process until all of the fluid has been flushed.
Conclusion
There is some debate on whether or not you can flush brake fluid with tires on. Some say that it’s okay to do so, while others argue that the chemicals in brake fluid could damage the tire. If you’re unsure if you can fling brake fluid onto your tires, I recommend consulting a mechanic.