What is the correct order to bleed your brakes?

Bleeding your brakes is an essential maintenance task to ensure your vehicle's braking system is functioning correctly. The proper order to bleed your brakes is crucial to avoid air bubbles and ensure optimal brake performance. In this article, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of bleeding your brakes correctly.

Why Bleeding Brakes is Important

Bleeding your brakes is necessary to remove any air bubbles that may have entered the brake fluid lines. Air bubbles can reduce the effectiveness of your brakes, leading to a spongy or soft brake pedal feel. Regularly bleeding your brakes helps maintain the integrity of the brake system and ensures your vehicle stops safely and reliably.

The Correct Order to Bleed Your Brakes

1. Prepare the Brake Fluid - Check your owner's manual for the recommended brake fluid type and ensure you have enough on hand to complete the bleeding process.


2. Loosen the Bleeder Valves - Starting with the wheel farthest from the master cylinder, use a wrench to loosen the bleeder valve on the brake caliper or wheel cylinder.


3. Attach the Bleed Hose - Attach a clear plastic hose to the bleeder valve, with the other end submerged in a clean container filled with brake fluid.


4. Pump the Brake Pedal - Have an assistant slowly pump the brake pedal several times, then hold the pedal down while you open the bleeder valve.


5. Close the Bleeder Valve - Close the bleeder valve before your assistant releases the brake pedal.


6. Repeat the Process - Repeat steps 3-5 until the fluid flowing through the hose is free of air bubbles.


7. Bleed the Remaining Wheels - Move to the next wheel in the sequence (passenger front, driver rear, passenger rear) and repeat the process until all wheels have been bled.

Remember to always work in the correct order, starting with the wheel farthest from the master cylinder and moving towards the closest wheel. This ensures any air bubbles are pushed out of the system effectively.

Tips for Successful Brake Bleeding

• Use Fresh Brake Fluid - Ensure you use the correct type of brake fluid and that it is fresh, as old fluid can become contaminated and affect the braking system.


• Check for Leaks - Inspect the entire brake system for any signs of leaks before and after the bleeding process.


• Maintain Fluid Level - Keep the master cylinder reservoir filled with brake fluid throughout the bleeding process to prevent air from being drawn into the system.


• Bleed Slowly - Take your time and bleed the brakes slowly to ensure all air bubbles are removed from the system.

By following the correct order and taking the necessary precautions, you can effectively bleed your brakes and maintain the safety and performance of your vehicle's braking system.

What is the correct order for bleeding brakes?

Completely through the longest. Line to make sure that there isn't any trapped when we go closer and closer to the master.

Do I have to bleed all four brakes if I replace one caliper?

No, you do not have to bleed all four brakes, but it is recommended to bleed at least the caliper that was replaced to remove any air from the system. However, if the brake fluid is old, it is a good practice to bleed the entire system to flush out the old fluid and prevent future corrosion. 
Bleeding just one caliper

• If you are careful during the replacement to minimize the introduction of air, you can often get away with just bleeding the one caliper. 
• You must bleed the specific caliper that was replaced to ensure no air has entered the system on that wheel. 
• The process involves using a bleeder screw on the new caliper and pushing fluid through until no more bubbles appear. 

Recommending a full brake flush 

• Bleeding all four brakes is the best way to ensure no air is in the entire system and to replace all the old brake fluid. 
• If the brake fluid is old and discolored, it has likely absorbed moisture, which can cause rust and damage the brake system over time. 
• Bleeding the whole system is an opportunity to completely flush out the old fluid and replace it with fresh fluid. 

How to bleed brakes

• If you are only bleeding the one caliper, focus on that one until no air comes out. 
• If you are bleeding all four, follow the correct sequence, starting with the wheel furthest from the master cylinder and moving to the closest. 
• Common sequence:
  1. Right rear
  2. Left rear
  3. Right front
  4. Left front 

Should the engine be running when bleeding brakes?

No, you should bleed brakes with the car off for the traditional two-person method, as a running engine activates the vacuum-assisted brake booster which can introduce air into the system and change the pedal feel. However, some modern vehicles with ABS systems may require a scan tool or special procedure to bleed the brakes with the engine running or a pump activated. 
Traditional bleeding with the engine off

• Pumping the pedal: A helper pumps the brake pedal several times with the engine off to build pressure, then holds the pedal down. 
• Opening the valve: You open the bleeder valve at the caliper, allowing the pressure to push the air and old fluid out. 
• Closing the valve: You close the valve before the helper's foot hits the floor to prevent new air from being sucked in. 

Why the engine should be off

• The engine's vacuum booster assists the brake pedal. When the engine is off, there is no boost, which is necessary to force all air out of the lines.
• If the engine is running, the pedal will feel different and the fluid will shoot out at a different pressure, making the process more difficult and dangerous. 

When the engine might need to be on

• Some modern cars with Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) have an ABS pump that needs to be activated to fully bleed the system. 
• If you are not sure, consult your car's manual or look up the specific bleeding procedure for your make and model, as some may require a special scanner or a power bleeder to complete the process. 

Which tire do I bleed first?

Cylinder. So for example they'll say "Since your master cylinder is in the front left of the car by the steering wheel you'll want to bleed the brake starting from the back right tire.