Air bubbles in your brake lines can make your pedal feel soft and dramatically reduce your stopping power. Bleeding your brakes removes that air — restoring full braking confidence and safety.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to bleeding your brakes properly, whether you're upgrading your system or doing regular maintenance.

1. What You’ll Need

• Fresh brake fluid (check your owner's manual for the correct type: DOT 3, DOT 4, etc.)
• Clear plastic tubing
• Catch bottle or container
• Wrench for bleeder screws
• An assistant (for manual bleeding)

2. The Bleeding Process

• Top off the brake fluid reservoir and keep it open but covered with a clean cloth.
• Attach clear tubing to the bleeder valve on the first caliper (start with the wheel farthest from the master cylinder).
• Have your assistant slowly press the brake pedal several times, then hold it down.
• Open the bleeder valve to let fluid and air escape. Close the valve before releasing the pedal.
• Repeat until no more air bubbles appear in the tubing.
• Move to the next caliper (rear passenger, rear driver, front passenger, front driver).
• Top off the brake fluid reservoir frequently to prevent introducing new air.

3. Pro Tips for Success

• Never let the brake fluid reservoir run dry — it introduces new air into the system.
• Use fresh, unopened brake fluid — old fluid absorbs moisture quickly and reduces performance.
• Bleed slowly and consistently for the cleanest, most complete air removal.

4. Signs You Need to Bleed Your Brakes

• Soft, spongy, or inconsistent brake pedal feel
• Recent brake system repairs (caliper, line, or master cylinder replacements)
• Brake fluid leaks or low fluid levels

Final Thought: Smooth Braking Starts with a Clean System

Bleeding your brakes isn’t just maintenance — it’s critical to protecting your safety and maximizing your brake system’s performance. Trust Max Advanced Brakes for complete kits, premium components, and expert guidance to keep you in full control.