How to Bleed Brakes

As a Quincy driver, you know how important it is to stay up-to-date on your Chevy maintenance schedule, especially when it comes to optimizing your brakes’ lifespan. To optimize your time, you might want to learn how to bleed brakes at home, so the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet service center is here to help! Read our guide below to learn how to bleed brakes by yourself right at home in Havana.

What Does it Mean to Bleed Brakes?

Over time, brake fluid loses its moisture resistance. Bleeding the brake lines helps to release trapped air and old fluid that can gather in the brake system as a result. By learning how to bleed brake lines, you can help extend the life of your brakes and brake pads.

How to Bleed Brakes by Yourself

Seeking to learn how to bleed brakes by yourself is no small task, and should only be attempted by individuals who are highly experienced with the mechanics of their vehicle and at-home car maintenance. Otherwise, bleeding the brake lines is best left to a professional service technician.

Crawfordville car owners should know just what they’re getting into before diving in, so here’s a brief look at the steps for how to bleed brake lines:

1. Refer to the owner’s manual to see which brake fluid you’ll need and how to bleed brakes in your specific model.
2. In the manual, you’ll notice that it will tell you not only how to bleed brake lines, but also the order in which to do so.
3. Park your vehicle on solid ground, then raise it on four jack stands to remove all four wheels.
4. Loosen the caliper bleeding screw on each wheel, then retighten. If the screw breaks during this process, contact a local service center for assistance.
5. Check the brake fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir, then unscrew the cap, leaving it atop the reservoir momentarily.
6. On the first brake, place a catch container above the bleeder screw height. Fit a ¼ inch segment of clear tubing over the bleeder screw. Place the other end of the tube in your catch container.
7. Ask a friend or neighbor to help you by pumping the brake pedal and letting you know when they feel resistance, at which point they should maintain pressure.
8. Once maintained, open the bleeder screw. The brake pedal will start to lower on its own at this point.
9. Bleed the brakes until the pedal is close to the floor. When the pedal is nearing the floor, your friend should tell you to close the screw immediately. Return to the master brake cylinder reservoir to check the fluid level; if it’s low, add brake fluid as needed.
10. Repeat steps 6 through 9 for each wheel.
11. Ensure bleeder screws are tightened, then reinstall your wheels.

Have Questions? Contact Us or Schedule Service in Tallahassee

If you have lingering questions about how to bleed brakes by yourself, contact us to speak with a service representative today. Or, if you’d feel more comfortable allowing a professional technician to bleed your brakes, we encourage you to schedule a service appointment online! For all of your auto maintenance needs, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet is here.