How to Bleed Brakes

Overtime, the brake system of a vehicle can get air trapped inside of it with additional use. In order to release this trapped air, you’ll have to bleed your brakes. If you don’t consider yourself a mechanical expert, then don’t fret as the process is quite simple and can be accomplished by any driver of any skill level. Learn how to bleed brakes by yourself with the service team at Mitch Smith Chevrolet, Inc., so you can give your vehicle the service it needs to drive smoothly and save on the Hartselle roads. For all other service inquiries and needs, reach out to the team at Mitch Smith Chevrolet, Inc..

Why Bleed Brakes?

With more use, the moisture resistance in brake fluid will wear down, and as a result, the fluid will begin to absorb water. When this happens, air can also get inside the brake system, which causes the brake pedal to feel soft or spongy when you press it. Bleeding brakes removes any trapped air and gives your brake pedal a more firm feel when driving on the Hanceville roads. That’s why learning how to bleed break lines is important if you plan on doing the process yourself. As mentioned earlier, the process isn’t complicated, and any driver of any skill level can do it in their own garage.

How to Bleed Brakes By Yourself Step by Step

Learning how to bleed brake lines isn’t too complicated, and all you need is brake fluid, a box-end wrench, a fluid holder, tubing, and an extra set of hands. If you need the the right parts before attempting to bleed the brakes on your vehicle, then check out our parts store at Mitch Smith Chevrolet, Inc.. Once you have the necessary materials, follow these steps to successfully bleed the brakes on your vehicle:

1. Check your owner’s manual to see if you have the right brake fluid, since there are many different kinds. Your owner’s manual will also show you how often you should replace your brake fluid. 
2. Park your car on solid, level ground, and raise it up on jack stands. 
3. Once it’s suspended, remove all of the wheels.
4. Find the four caliper bleeding screws, and loosen them. Don’t twist too hard on the wrench if they don’t loosen right away. Spray the screw with penetrating oil, and wait about 30 minutes. If the screw snapes, bring your vehicle in for service immediately. 
5. Once the screws are loosened, tighten them up again. It’s important that you bleed each individual break at a time. The other three screws need to be tight in order to avoid any air bubbles. 
6. Open hood of your vehicle and locate the master cylinder reservoir to check the brake fluid level. While you’re bleeding the brakes leave the master cylinder cap on screwed and resting on top of the reservoir. 
7. Bleed the brake furthest from the master cylinder as your vehicle may require a different order. Consult your owner’s manual to get an idea of what order you should complete the process. 
8. Secure the end of a piece of clear tubing over the first bleeder screw. You want to make sure that it’s about a quarter inch in diameter. 
9. Put the other end of the tubing onto receptacle like a plastic bottle. Make sure that the tubing is long enough to replace the catch container above the height of the bleeder screw. This way, you can prevent any air from getting caught in the tube and make sure that it doesn’t move back into the brake caliper.
10. Make sure that your vehicle is turned off, and ask your assistant or partner to press the brake pedal several times until they start to feel resistance. Make sure that they keep pressure on the pedal while they’re doing it, and open the bleeder screw a little bit. You should see fluid move through the tube, and the pedal will start to drop closer to the floor. Make sure that your partner is continuing to apply pressure to the brake pedal. 
11. Make sure that your partner lets you know before the pedal actually reaches the floor. When they alert you that the pedal reaches the floor, close the bleeder screw immediately.
12. Afterward, inspect the fluid level in the master fluid reservoir. If the fluid level is low, you’ll want to add fresh fluid.
13. Repeat the above few steps about five times on the same bleeder screw or until the fluid doesn’t have any more bubbles.
14. Afterward, repeat the process on the other three bleeder screws in the right order. Be sure to start with the furthest screw from the master cylinder, and move toward the closest screw.
15. After you’ve successfully bled the brakes, have your partner quickly apply the brakes and release the pedal. Be sure to watch the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir and see if it starts bubbling. If so, then there’s still air in the system. If the fluid only moves slightly, then there is no more air in the system.
16. Tighten the bleeder screws before putting the wheels back on your vehicle. Make sure that you use just enough pressure to make sure that they’re nice and secure.

If you would rather leave it to the professionals, schedule service at our service center near Decatur to let our team take care of the process. For more helpful service and parts tips, visit our website, or reach out to anyone on our team. 

Bleed Your Brakes in Cullman 

Now that you know how to bleed brakes by yourself, you hopefully have a better idea of how you can care for your brake system with more confidence. Whether you want to know if your brakes are due for service or how often to change your oil, contact us at Mitch Smith Chevrolet, Inc..