Brake Fluid Bleed/Flush (Maintenance): Procedure

CAUTION: Brake fluid dissolves paint. Have clean towels and plenty of water standing by to wash spilled brake fluid off painted surfaces.

NOTE: Dispose of used brake fluid in a manner consistent with local environmental codes.

Review the bleeder service tool profile.
Raise and support the vehicle. See RAISE VEHICLE - 2 STANDS .
Remove all four wheels. See WHEEL ASSEMBLY - REMOVE AND INSTALL .
Lower the vehicle to a working height.
Connect a laptop with Toolbox 3 to the vehicle. See TOOLBOX 3 - CONNECT AND DISCONNECT .
In Toolbox, type "bleed" into the search field and click Actions .
Remove the rear underhood apron. See UNDERHOOD TRIM - REAR APRON ASSEMBLY - REMOVE AND REPLACE .
Clean the area around the brake fluid reservoir breather cap and remove the cap.
Add clean brake fluid to the MAX level in the reservoir.
Attach the pressure cap to the reservoir.
Set the pressure to 30 PSI.
Bleed the front LH brake caliper first.
Remove the caliper outer bleed valve cap and attach the catch bottle to the valve.
NOTE: Hang the bottle by the wire hook, not by the hose.
In Toolbox, start the task for the particular caliper.
- For the front LH and rear RH calipers, run PROC_ESP_FRONT-L-REAR-R-BRAKE-BLEED⁽ⁱ⁾ .
- For the front RH and rear LH calipers, run PROC_ESP_FRONT-R-REAR-L-BRAKE-BLEED⁽ⁱ⁾ .
Open the outer bleed valve and watch the fluid as it flows out of the caliper.
Use the crowfoot extension to close the bleed valve when the pump stops, or when clean fluid without bubbles flows out of the caliper.
Repeat step 14 through step 16 until clean fluid without bubbles flows out of the caliper.
Remove the catch bottle and install the bleed valve cap.
Repeat step 13 through step 18 for the inner bleed valve, and again for the outer bleed valve.
Tighten the bleed valves.
18 N.m (13.3 lbs-ft)
Refill the reservoir to MAX, and properly dispose of the catch bottle contents.
Repeat step 13 through step 21 for the front RH brake caliper.
Bleed the rear RH brake caliper next.
Remove the caliper bleed valve cap and attach the catch bottle to the valve.
NOTE: Hang the bottle by the wire hook, not by the hose.
In Toolbox, start the task for the particular caliper.
- For the front LH and rear RH calipers, run PROC_ESP_FRONT-L-REAR-R-BRAKE-BLEED⁽ⁱ⁾ .
- For the front RH and rear LH calipers, run PROC_ESP_FRONT-R-REAR-L-BRAKE-BLEED⁽ⁱ⁾ .
Open the bleed valve and watch the fluid as it flows out of the caliper.
Use the crowfoot extension to close the bleed valve when the pump stops, or when clean fluid without bubbles flows out of the caliper.
Repeat step 25 through step 27 until clean fluid without bubbles flows out of the caliper.
Remove the catch bottle and install the bleed valve cap.
Tighten the bleed valve.
10 N.m (7.4 lbs-ft)
Refill the reservoir to MAX, and properly dispose of the catch bottle contents.
Repeat step 24 through step 31 for the rear LH brake caliper.
Remove the pressure cap from the reservoir and install the breather cap.
Press the brake pedal several times to verify proper feel and action.
In Toolbox, type "stiffness" into the search field and click Actions .
Run the IBST Stiffness Test - Burnished - Pressure test.
If the Pressure_P100 result fails to "pass", repeat the bleed procedure from step 6.
Install all four wheels. See WHEEL ASSEMBLY - REMOVE AND INSTALL .
Install the rear underhood apron. See UNDERHOOD TRIM - REAR APRON ASSEMBLY - REMOVE AND REPLACE .
Remove the vehicle from the 2 post lift. See RAISE VEHICLE - 2 STANDS .
Repeatedly press the brake pedal until firm.
Perform a road test using a series of aggressive stops to make sure there is proper pedal feel and brake performance.