The Importance Of Bleeding Your Brakes And How

Do you want to keep your brake fluid in the best shape possible? Have you noticed your brake pedal feeling spongy and lower to the ground? Then you need to start bleeding your brakes. 

What Does Bleeding Your Brakes Mean?

Bleeding the brakes refers to the process that allows small, controlled amounts of brake fluid to leave the cylinder system. Sometimes air can be trapped in the brake fluid, which causes the brakes to perform inefficiently. Bleeding the brakes is the equivalent of a doctor tapping on a syringe before giving you a shot; it releases the air bubbles.

The release of air not only ensures a purer brake fluid, but it also allows for a cleaner brake when driving. It is essential to proper maintenance and entirely possible to do without going to a mechanic. The items you will need include:

• Brake bleeder wrench (you can use a combination wrench if it fits the bleeder nozzle on your vehicle)
• Car jack
• Turkey baster/syringe
• A can of brake fluid appropriate for your vehicle
• Clear plastic tubing
• Two containers (one clean and clear, the other for waste)
• Rag for spills
• A helper
• Optional: A spacer for under the pedal to ensure it doesn't go too far down

How to Bleed the Brakes

Bleeding the brakes is not a complex process. You can tackle it in twelve simple steps:

1. Jack the car up for the best access to the bleeder valves. You may need to take off the wheels to access them.
2. Use the brake bleeder or combination wrench to loosen the bolts on the bleeder valve.
3. Remove the top of the master cylinder so you can access the old fluid.
4. You need to get the old fluid out of the cylinder, so use the turkey baster to suck out the old fluid and put it in your waste container.
5. Once the master cylinder is empty and clean, push the plastic tubing over the brake bleeder bolt. Most likely, this will be located near the back right end of the vehicle.
6. Fill the clear, clean jar with a couple of inches of clean brake fluid.
7. Place the other end of the tubing in the jar of clean fluid.
8. Fill the master cylinder with clean brake fluid and put the cover back on the reservoir.
9. Have your helper apply slight pressure to the pedal when you signal. While the pedal is slightly down, crack the bleeder bolt a quarter-turn. Note: the pedal is going to sink, so be sure to maintain the same amount of pressure.
10. When fluid stops coming out of the tubing, tighten the bleeder screw again and have your helper lift up on the pedal. Repeat the process until you see fresh, clear fluid coming out.
11. Keep the reservoir topped off through the entire process.
12. Repeat for each wheel, keeping the brake fluid topped off.

You are now finished bleeding your brakes! Take the vehicle for a test run around the block to ensure the brake pedals no longer feel spongy. To learn more, speak with a business like Doc Able's Auto Clinic Inc.