Does anyone know the procedure to replace the brake fluid on the 2013 Lexus GS 450h.

I read somewhere that you need Toyota Techstream to replace the break fluid properly for this vehicle. Is that necessary?

 

Sorry for the poor copy/paste below but this is the procedure and it says "damage may result" if you don't use Techstream, but haven't done it yet. Hopefully the instructions help you:

2013 Lexus GS350 : Brakes > Brake System (Other) > Brake Fluid > Bleeding
Bleeding
NOTE
Move the shift lever to the P position and apply the parking
brake before bleeding the brakes.
As brake fluid may overflow, do not leave the brake fluid
can in the reservoir filler opening when adding brake fluid.
Bleed air while adding fluid to maintain the fluid level
between the MIN and MAX lines of the reservoir.
Do not allow brake fluid to come into contact with any
painted surface. If contact occurs, wash off the fluid
immediately.
When bleeding air, select the suitable procedure listed
below.
Replaced/Installed Item Work
Procedure
Flexible hose (front/rear)
Bleed brake
line
Disc brake cylinder assembly
(front/rear)
Brake actuator assembly
Bleed brake
system
Brake master cylinder subassembly
Brake master cylinder reservoir
assembly
Brake booster assembly
1. BLEED BRAKE LINE
Remove the brake master cylinder reservoir filler cap assembly.
Add brake fluid until the fluid level is between the MIN and MAX lines
of the reservoir.
Brake fluid
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
Loosen the bleeder plug of the front disc brake cylinder RH.
Repeatedly depress the brake pedal and bleed the air from the
bleeder plug of the front disc brake cylinder RH.
NOTE
Add fluid as necessary so that the fluid in the reservoir
does not decrease below the MIN level.
After air is completely bled out, tighten the bleeder plug while
depressing the brake pedal.
Torque
Nm kgf.cm ft. lbs
Nm kgf.cm ft. lbs
11
110
8
Bleed the air from the bleeder plug of the front disc brake cylinder LH
using the same procedure as for the RH side.
Loosen the bleeder plug of the rear disc brake cylinder RH.
Repeatedly depress the brake pedal and bleed the air from the
bleeder plug of the rear disc brake cylinder RH.
NOTE
Add fluid as necessary so that the fluid in the reservoir
does not decrease below the MIN level.
After air is completely bled out, tighten the bleeder plug while
depressing the brake pedal.
Torque
Nm kgf.cm inch lbs.
Nm kgf.cm inch lbs.
8.3
85
73
Bleed the air from the bleeder plug of the rear disc brake cylinder LH
using the same procedure as for the RH side.
Check for brake fluid leaks.
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir
2. BLEED BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING
If air is bled without using the Techstream, damage or
accidents may result. Therefore, always use the
Techstream when bleeding air.
Remove the brake master cylinder reservoir filler cap assembly.
Add brake fluid until the fluid level is between the MIN and MAX lines
of the reservoir.
Using a union nut wrench, disconnect the 2 brake tubes from the
master cylinder.
Slowly depress and hold the brake pedal.
Block the tube holes with your fingers, and then release the brake
pedal.
Remove your fingers, slowly depress and hold the brake pedal, block
the tube holes with your fingers again, and then release the brake
pedal. Repeat this step 3 or 4 times.
Using a union nut wrench, connect the 2 brake tubes to the brake
master cylinder assembly.
Torque
Nm kgf.cm ft. lbs
Nm kgf.cm ft. lbs
15
155
11
NOTE
Use the formula to calculate special torque values for
situations where a union nut wrench is combined with a
torque wrench (Click here for more information).
Loosen the bleeder plug of the front brake cylinder RH.
Repeatedly depress the brake pedal and bleed the air from the
bleeder plug of the front brake cylinder RH.
NOTE
Add fluid as necessary so that the fluid in the reservoir
does not decrease below the MIN level.
After air is completely bled out, tighten the bleeder plug while
depressing the brake pedal.
Torque
Nm kgf.cm ft. lbs
Nm kgf.cm ft. lbs
11
110
8
Bleed the air from the bleeder plug of the front disc brake cylinder LH
using the same procedure as for the RH side.
Loosen the bleeder plug of the rear brake cylinder RH.
Repeatedly depress the brake pedal and bleed the air from the
bleeder plug of the rear brake cylinder RH.
NOTE
Add fluid as necessary so that the fluid in the reservoir
does not decrease below the MIN level.
After the air is completely bled out, tighten the bleeder plug while
depressing the brake pedal.
Torque
Nm kgf.cm inch lbs.
Nm kgf.cm inch lbs.
8.3
85
73
Bleed the air from the bleeder plug of the rear disc brake cylinder LH
using the same procedure as for the RH side.
Depress the brake pedal more than 20 times with the engine switch
off.
Connect the Techstream to the DLC3.
Turn the engine switch on (IG) and turn the tester on.
NOTE
Do not start the engine.
Enter the following menus: Chassis / ABS/VSC/TRAC / Utility / Air
Bleeding.
Select and run "Inhalation" from the Air Bleeding screen on the
Techstream.
NOTE
Follow the prompts on the tester screen to bleed the air for
both wheels (front and rear) on the right side.
Loosen the bleeder plug of the right front wheel.*1
Using the Techstream, operate the actuator.
NOTE
HINT:
To protect the actuator, the operation stops automatically.
Make sure the brake pedal is released.
Check the Techstream screen to confirm that the operation stopped.
Tighten the bleeder plug.*2
Repeat the procedures above from *1 to *2 until the air is completely
bled out.
Tighten the bleeder plug.
Torque
Nm kgf.cm ft. lbs
Nm kgf.cm ft. lbs
11
110
8
Bleed the air for the right rear wheel using the same procedure as for
the right front wheel.
Select and run "Decrease" from the Air Bleeding screen on the
Techstream.
NOTE
Follow the prompts on the tester screen to bleed the air for
all 4 wheels.
Loosen the bleeder plug of the right front wheel.*3
Using the Techstream, operate the actuator and at the same time fully
depress and hold the brake pedal.
NOTE
HINT:
To protect the solenoids, the actuator operation stops
automatically in 4 seconds. When operating the actuator
repeatedly, follow the prompts on the tester screen and
wait for 20 seconds or more between each operation.
NOTE
At this time, the brake pedal becomes difficult to depress.
However, be sure to hold the brake pedal in the fully
depressed position until brake fluid comes out of the
bleeder plug.

 

According to those instructions you bleed the brakes starting with front passenger side, then drivers side, then rear passenger side, then rear drivers side.
The is the total opposite of what I thought the bleeding procedure was. I guess your pushing all the old fluid out starting with the front passenger.

 

It's in the maintenance schedule to replace the brake fluid every 30k miles or 3 years. I don't really understand why it's required by Lexus.

 

brakes > breaks

 

sry did not see that its a 450h edited.

 

Don't you have to bleed the brakes to replace the fluid?

Whats the procedure?
1) Top off reservoir with new fluid.
2) start with front passenger side open bleeder, pump brakes, while adding new fluid to reservoir.
3) do drivers side, then rear passenger, then rear passenger

 

leave it to a shop if you have no clue how. Last thing you want is the brakes failing.

 

I've bleed the brakes on my Accord. Was just trying to find out the proper procedure to replace the break fluid on my GS. I haven't seen a diy in this forum or youtube.

 

sorry did not see that u trying it on the 450h, yes if its a hybrid car u need to use a techstream to activate the system. I am sorry did not se that urs is 450h.

 

I suppose the procedure would be similar to this using techstream:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...re-system.html

 

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning that it attracts and holds water. Water in your brake system leads to corrosion of the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders. Corrosion leads to loss of pressure and ultimately, failing brakes. Look at old brake fluid that's never been replaced; it's dark brown compared to the near clear of new fluid.

Brake work is generally pretty easy; so easy in fact that most folks skip some important maintenance steps that have no immediate payoff. This is one of them. If you're gonna do it yourself, do it right.

 

If the GS hybrid is anything like the prius brake by wire system, then you'll have to follow a specific set of instructions just to do a brake fluid service. If you don't have Techstream, you must first put the vehicle in "invalid mode" otherwise you won't be able to get the fluid out. Also, on the prius, the fluid reservoir can't be filled to max, or it leaks. I did this a few years back I think....

I usually change out the fluid every 2 years

 

I have read this and understand brake fluid absorbs moisture, but what I don't understand is how can moisture be absorbed into a 'closed' system? Brake systems are hydraulic and under pressure, I would think for moisture to get in, you would have to have a leak, no? I have never seen brake fluid that was dark.

 

Brake fluid should be replaced every 3 years as it absorbs moisture quite easily. I recommend getting a Motive Power Bleeder as it makes bleeding the brakes on any car a breeze. If you have a power bleeder it will take you longer to raise the car than it will to do the actual service. I was able to change the fluid on my wife's car (GS350) in less than 15 mins using a power bleeder, they are a life saver.