How to Bleed Brakes

There’s a lot that Raleigh drivers can do to maximize the efficiency and extend the life of their brake system. One thing that some find useful is knowing how to bleed brakes by yourself. This practice gets rid of the air and fluid that can get trapped in your brake lines. Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint covers how to bleed brake lines below!

Why Bleed Brakes?

Before you learn how to bleed brakes by yourself, let’s cover why bleeding brakes is necessary. Your brakes operate by sending brake fluid through brake lines once you press down the pedal. This brake fluid loses its moisture resistance over time. The result is that the brake lines have excess air and fluid inside.

You can learn how to bleed brakes by yourself, or schedule service with a Cary- area service center! This process will make your brakes last longer.

How to Bleed Brake Lines: Step-by-Step

Learning how to bleed brake lines is definitely one of the more advanced DIY tasks that Chapel Hill drivers can perform, so make sure you know what you’re doing. We thought we’d outline the process so you know what’s going on, but these steps are a mere peek into what the process entails. Only those with extensive experience working on cars should attempt to bleed brakes at home.

• Get the right brake fluid. Your owner’s manual will tell you what kind of fluid you need and how much of it will be necessary.
• Find the right order for how to bleed brake lines in your owner’s manual as well.
• Make sure your vehicle is parked on level ground then raise it with four jack stands.
• Loosen and retighten the caliper bleeding screw on each wheel. If you have trouble retightening, penetrating oil will help. If they break in the course of this process, you’ll need to get in touch with a professional.
• Check brake fluid levels under the hood.
• Get your catch container ready and place a ¼ inch clear tube inside it, attaching the other end to the bleeder screw.
• Place pressure by having a friend pump the brakes until they feel resistance, then hold them down.
• Bleed the brakes by opening the bleeder screw and having your friend keep pressure on the pedal. This should go on until just before the brake pedal reaches the floor — then immediately screw the bleeder screw back in.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir and add any required brake fluid.
• Repeat the steps in the order listed in your owner’s manual.
• Once you’re all done, make sure your bleeder screws are completely tightened before you put the tires back on!

Get Brake Service at Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint

The service center at Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint helps Durham-area drivers with brake service and other essential maintenance tasks everyday. If you’re looking for low-cost, expert service and useful tips, we’re the place to be. Contact us today with any questions about how to bleed brakes and more!