Driving is a dangerous activity, and one that can be even more so when you’re not familiar with the area you’re driving in. Whether you’re new to the area or just unfamiliar with the local traffic patterns, it’s important to keep your brakes properly flushed in order to maintain control of your vehicle. This article will teach you how to do just that, and keep yourself safe on the road.
Flush Your Brakes
When your brakes start to squeak, it’s time to flush them. This simple procedure will help reduce the noise and ensure proper brake function. Here’s how to do it:
1. Park your vehicle safely, with the gearshift in Park.
2. Close all of the doors and windows, except for the driver’s door.
3. Remove the wheel(s) and tire(s).
4. Disconnect the brake lines at both front and rear brakes.
5. Pour a pot of boiling water onto the brake lines, directing it away from the car.
6. Wait five minutes, then disconnect the brake lines from the calipers using an adjustable wrench.
7. Squeeze each caliper until the pads fall off, then discard them in a trash can or recycling bin.
8. Clean the corrosion off of the metal calipers with a wire brush or steel wool, then dry them with a cloth before reinstalling them on the car wheels.
9. Connect the brake lines to the calipers and reattach them to the car wheel(s).
How to Find and Fix a Brake Issue
If you’re having trouble stopping your car, you may have a brake issue. Here’s how to find and fix it.
How Often to Flush Your Brakes
We recommend flushing your brakes every two years or 25,000 miles. This will help keep your brake pads in good shape and prevent any problems from arising.
To flush your brakes:
1) Park the car in a safe location
2) Turn the ignition off and remove the key from the ignition
3) Remove the front wheel (if possible)
4) Disconnect both brake hoses from the master cylinder (see photo below)
5) Open the bleed screw on either side of the master cylinder as shown in photo below and hold one hose while you use the other to fill up the brake fluid reservoir as close to the top as possible. Be sure to use plenty of brake fluid because it will boil when heated. Do not overfill!
6) Close the bleed screws on both sides of the master cylinder and replace both hoses. Restart the car by reinserting the key into the ignition.
What to Do If You Can’t Flush Your Brakes
If you find that you can’t flush your brakes, there are a few things you can do to get the system back up and running. First, try pumping the pedal several times. If that doesn’t work, try using a plunger. If that still doesn’t work, try using a bucket or another large container to depress the brake pedal.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever had the frustrating experience of your car stopping on a dime, then you know what it’s like to have your brakes fail. Flushing your brakes can help prevent this from happening and keep you safe on the road. There are a few different things that can cause your brakes to stop working, so it’s important to know how to flush them properly in order to get them back up and running as quickly as possible.