Brake fluid can be a sticky, gooey mess if it isn’t flushed properly. Here are three steps to flushing brake fluid and keeping your car running smoothly:
1. Check the Level
2. Bleed Brakes
3. Flush Brake Fluid
What is brake fluid and what does it do?
Brake fluid is a fluid used to help stop a car. Brake fluid helps the brake pads grab the rotor and stop the car.
How to flush brake fluid
If you have a hydraulic brake system, it’s important to flush the fluid every time you change the brake pads or rotors. Brake fluid contains a high concentration of glycol, which can cause corrosion on parts of the brake system if not flushed regularly. Here are instructions on how to flush your brake system:
1. Park the car safely and shut off the engine.
2. Remove the wheel and tire.
3. Remove the caliper bracket (or disk if your car has ABS).
4. Remove the two bolts that hold the master cylinder in place. Disconnect the hoses from the master cylinder.
5. Remove the cap and screw on top of the brake fluid reservoir (or use a tool to break the seal). Pump out all of the fluid until you have about 2 cups left in the reservoir.
6. Replace all of the parts and tighten them down. Reconnect all of the hoses.
7. Reinstall the wheel and tire,caliper bracket (or disk), and bolts that hold the master cylinder in place. Tighten them to 98 inch-pounds (22 Nm).
8. Start your engine and check for leaks.
9. Fill the reservoir to the correct level and replace the cap.
When should you replace brake fluid?
When brake fluid is low, it may cause the brakes to stop working properly. You should replace brake fluid every 3 years or when the fluid shows signs of being low, such as a thick or wet consistency.
What to do if you accidentally flushed brake fluid
If you accidentally flushed your brake fluid, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. The most common scenario is when someone removes the brake fluid level sensor and accidentally flushes the system. In this case, all you need to do is replace the sensor. If the fluid has already leaked out of the system, you will need to replace the entire reservoir or system.
Conclusion
Brake fluid can become an eyesore on your car and clog up your brake system if not flushed regularly. Here are four easy steps to flush brake fluid:
1) Remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir.
2) Add just enough water to cover the brake caliper.
3) Pump the pedal several times until the fluid reaches the top of the reservoir.
4) Pour out any excess water.