A Super Detailed Guide – How To Change Brake Fluid​

Brake fluid is not always in perfect condition. Over time, it absorbs moisture from the air and becomes more and more ‘fragile’. When brake fluid absorbs water, its boiling point is lowered, which means that when you brake hard, the fluid may create air bubbles, which can affect the effectiveness of your brakes. Simply put, deteriorating brake fluid can lead to softer brakes, longer braking distances, and even brake failure!

How Often To Change Brake Fluid​？

• General recommended interval: Every two years or around 30,000 km. However, each vehicle is subject to different conditions, so it’s best to check the owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended intervals.
• When do you suspect your brake fluid needs changing?
  1. The brake pedal feels softer and is not as ‘strong’ as it used to be.
  2. Braking distances become longer and the car becomes less responsive when braking.
  3. A brake warning light appears on your dashboard, alerting you to a possible brake fluid problem.

If you neglect change brake fluid, it may lead to internal corrosion of the brake system, a significant increase in the cost of later repairs, and may also cause serious traffic accidents. So, don’t delay!

How To Change Brake Fluid? A Step-By-Step Guide To Do It.

If you are planning to change brake fluid by yourself, don’t worry, the steps are not complicated. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

1.Change Brake Fluid​ Prepare The Tools:

• Brake fluid for your model (make sure to check the owner’s manual to use the correct type of fluid).
• Essential tools: wrench, clear hose, syringe or aspirator (to easily extract old brake fluid).
• Safety equipment: gloves and goggles to protect yourself from brake fluid spills.

2.Vehicle Preparation:

• Park the car, make sure it is smooth, apply the handbrake and put some bricks under the wheels to make sure the car doesn’t move.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid jug. It is usually a clear plastic jug labeled “Brake Fluid”. 3.

3.Pump Out The Old Brake Fluid:

• Use a syringe or pipette to draw out the old fluid from the brake fluid reservoir. Be careful not to stain the paint, as brake fluid can corrode the paintwork.

4.Empty The Brake Lines:

• • You will need to start draining from the wheel furthest from the brake fluid jug (usually the right rear wheel).
  • Connect a clear hose to the drain screw on the brake caliper and place the other end into a container of fresh brake fluid.
  • Have your friend help you with the brake pedal, and then you loosen the drain screw. This will allow the old brake fluid and air to escape.
  • Once you see clear brake fluid coming out, hurry up and tighten the drain screw.
  • Repeat this procedure for all four wheels in turn.

(brake fluid change vs flush: Conventional brake fluid replacement usually requires the collaboration of several people and is very time-consuming. If you find it troublesome and want to try a new method, you may want to consider a fully automatic flushing brake fluid changer, which requires only one person to complete the change in twenty minutes, and is recommended for auto body shops and those who like to DIY).

5.Fill With New Brake Fluid:

• During the replacement process, take care to check the fluid level of the brake fluid jug frequently to keep the fluid above the minimum scale.
• After the replacement, make sure to fill the brake fluid jug to the maximum scale.

6.Test The Brakes:

• Start the vehicle and apply the brakes a few times to make sure the brake pedal becomes firm and the brakes respond normally.
• You can do a short test drive to make sure there are no problems with the brakes.
• Finally, the change brake fluid​ was perfect.