How to Bleed Brakes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to safely bleed your car brakes to remove air from the hydraulic system and restore pedal feel with this simple DIY maintenance guide.

Automotive

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Take care

Brake work involves the risk of total brake failure if air remains in the lines or if parts are not tightened correctly. Always use jack stands, wear safety glasses, and test the pedal firmness before moving the vehicle.

Safety gear: Safety glasses, Work gloves, Jack stands

Where to find it

The brake fluid reservoir is usually under the hood near the windshield on the driver's side. The bleeder screws are located on the back of each brake caliper behind the wheels.

What it looks like

The reservoir is a translucent plastic tank with a cap often labeled with a brake symbol. The bleeder screw is a small metal bolt with a nipple in the center, usually covered by a small rubber cap.

Tools Required (7)

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Parts (2)

Get the exact part. Parts change by year, make, model and engine. Give the parts store all four, or your VIN (it's on your registration, on the sticker inside the driver's door, and on the dashboard where it meets the windshield on the driver's side), and they'll match the right part for your vehicle.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1.
Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface, engage the parking brake, and turn off the engine.
2.
Locate the brake fluid reservoir under the hood; it is usually a translucent plastic container near the back of the engine bay on the driver's side, marked with MIN and MAX lines.
3.
Give the parts store your year, make, and model so they match the exact brake fluid type for your vehicle.
4.
Lift the vehicle using a jack and secure it firmly on jack stands; never work on a car supported only by a jack.
5.
Remove the wheels to access the brake calipers; the bleeder screw is a small metal nipple with a rubber cap located on the back of each brake caliper.
6.
Clean the area around the bleeder screw, remove the rubber cap, and apply penetrating oil if the screw appears rusted or stuck.
7.
Attach one end of the clear tubing to the bleeder screw and submerge the other end in a container partially filled with fresh brake fluid. Why: keeping the hose submerged prevents air from being sucked back into the system.
8.
Check the brake fluid reservoir and top it off to the MAX line; keep the reservoir cap loosely in place to prevent debris from entering while allowing air to vent.
9.
Have an assistant pump the brake pedal several times and hold it down firmly while you open the bleeder screw to release fluid and air bubbles into the container.
10.
Close the bleeder screw tightly before your assistant releases the brake pedal. Why: closing the screw before the pedal is released prevents air from entering the system.
11.
Repeat the pumping and bleeding process at each wheel, starting with the wheel farthest from the master cylinder and working toward the closest, until the fluid runs clear and free of bubbles.
12.
Monitor the reservoir level constantly throughout the process and top it off as needed; if the reservoir runs dry, you must restart the entire process from the beginning.
13.
Once finished, tighten all bleeder screws, replace the rubber caps, reinstall the wheels, and pump the brake pedal until it feels firm before driving.
14.
If your vehicle has an ABS system that requires a scan tool to cycle the pump, or if you are uncomfortable with this procedure, have a professional shop perform the work to ensure the system is bled correctly.