How To Bleed Brakes by Yourself

Regularly replacing your brakes allows you to safely drive around Henrico. Properly working brakes provide you with incredible stopping power to have the performance and maneuverability you need during your adventures. One important part of brake system maintenance is brake fluid. Similar to engine oil, brake fluid breaks down over time and will need to be replaced. You can replace your brake fluid by bleeding your brakes and adding new fluid after it has been bled.

Bleeding your brakes is often a service that we’d recommend you leave to the professionals. It can be a time-consuming process that requires a lot of involvement and if not done correctly, could lead to an unsafe driving experience on the Glen Allen roads. Curious about how to bleed brakes by yourself? We can still help. Learn how to bleed brakes today with the service professionals at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond!

How Often Should You Bleed Your Brakes?

Before we go over how to bleed brakes, are you wondering, “How often should you bleed your brakes?” If you plan on bleeding brakes by yourself, you should know that you don’t have to do it very often. In fact, you should only be bleeding your brakes around every two to three years.

Of course, the answer to, “How often should you bleed your brakes?” can depend on your specific vehicle. Some vehicles may require you to bleed the brakes by yourself more often than others. Regardless of the recommended interval, you can count on our experts to bleed your brakes properly so that you can safely drive around Goochland.

How To Bleed Brakes – Step by Step

When you bleed your brakes in your own Richmond garage, prepare to spend some time. Bleeding your brakes is a serious job and can take plenty of time, even if you’ve tackled many DIY auto projects on your own. You’ll also want the ensure that you have the necessary tools to properly bleed your brakes and someone that can lend a helping hand. With that out of the way, here’s how to bleed your brakes:

1. Get the recommended brake fluid type per your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
2. Safely begin raising up your vehicle.
3. Remove all of the wheels on your vehicle.
4. Begin loosening the brake caliper bleeding screw that’s further away from the master cylinder.
5. After the first brake caliper’s bleeding screw has been loosened, start loosening the bleeding screw on the other brake calipers.
6. Connect a piece of tubing to the bleeder opening from the first bleeder screw you removed and begin bleeding the brakes into an empty container.
7. With your vehicle off, have a friend begin pumping your brake pedal several times. Fluid will begin emptying from the tube into the empty container until the pedal reaches the floor.
8. As the pedal reaches the floor, tighten back the bleeder screw.
9. Repeat steps 4-8 on each brake caliper until all the brake fluid from your vehicle has been removed. 
10. When you’re done, have your friend press the brake pedal as you watch the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid in the master cylinder still bubbles, there’s likely still air in the braking system and you’ll need to continue bleeding your brakes.
11. Once the brake master cylinder no longer bubbles, you’ve successfully bled your brakes!

After bleeding your brakes, you can add more brake fluid, tighten everything back up, and you can be on your way.

Receive Professional Advice From Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond Before You Bleed Brakes By Yourself!

As we’ve mentioned, the process to bleed your brakes can be time-consuming and complicated. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals to bleed your brakes, all you need to do is to reach out to us online and we’ll be more than happy to assist!