How to Bleed Brakes

Bleeding your brakes isn’t exactly what it sounds like, as there is no actual blood involved. This is the process by which you can remove air from your brake lines. If you’ve noticed that there isn’t as much tension in the brakes as there once was, this is an issue that can be solved by the brake bleeding process. This is done to ensure your utmost safety in the Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield areas.

At Andy Mohr Volkswagen, we can assist you with this delicate process, in our on-site service center. However, if you’ve got a bit of the home car repair bug, we can also help walk you through the process. We’ll provide step by step instructions to walk you through bleeding your brakes at home and we’re here if you require additional assistance.

Bleeding Your Brakes: Step by Step

1. First, you’ll need a partner to help you out in the process. While bleeding your brakes can be done alone, it’s helpful to have a friend there to assist you.
2. Next, you’ll need to locate a piece of the brake that is called the bleeder screw. You’ll have to slide under the vehicle in order to find it, so make sure you have something comfortable on which to lie.
3. Once you’ve found the screw, you’ll want to loosen it. At this point, you may want to use a special tool to do it, because if the screw brakes, it will require repairs by a professional. Attach a small, thin hose to the end of the screw and place the hose in a jar. This is there to catch any excess brake fluid that may come out.
4. After this, have a friend jump behind the wheel. Your friend will push the brake pedal down and release it, but you’ll want to have them tell you when they’re pressing it down. Next, open the bleeder screw completely.
5. Now, take a look at the jar and see if there are bubbles in the fluid. If there are, then there is air in your brake lines. Repeat the up and down process on the brake pedal and as your partner is doing this, loosen and tighten the screw. Take this step as many times as possible until no air bubbles appear any longer.
6. Fill up your brake fluid and repeat the process for all brakes until the bleeding process is complete and you don’t have any more air in the lines.
7. Once the brake fluid is full and you’ve rid your lines of air, then it’s time to take your car for a spin. Make sure the brakes are no longer squishy and that the depression is firm again.

Schedule Brake Service Today 

If this process sounds like quite the undertaking to you, we can help. Hop online and schedule your brake service with us today. Our team of highly skilled and well-trained service professionals will take a look at your vehicle and determine the best course of action.