Bleeding Brake Fluid
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,180
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
I just did it with a one man vacuum pull bleeder from MityVac when I replaced the pads & rotors. I did follow the partial directions from a Motive brake bleeder I used to use to turn the ignition switch on, but not the motor, as they claim that somehow allows you to get some fluid out of the ABS. However, I did once get it bled professionally where they used Techstream to bleed the entire system including ABS and electronic brake thing.
Last edited by Clutchless; Apr 24, 2017 at 08:55 AM.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,180
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
The brakes got some air in the fluid when I changed the pads/rotors, so it felt much better after bleeding. I got air out of the system. A year later when I got new tires and an alignment, I had the shop bleed the brakes because I wanted to protect the very expensive electronic brake force distribution controller and ABS system as they are not fully flushed without use of Techstream.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,180
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
Around 40,000 miles, but I did not take it to the dealer. I took it to a very good independent in the DC area, Curry's Auto Service as they are a certified Tire Rack installer and I have used them before. Most good independents have the Techstream software as there are millions of Toyota vehicles. Using the software is the only way to completely flush the system and this is true of any modern vehicle with ABS and electronic brake force distribution etc.
Trending Topics
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,559
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
Since the brakes work even if you have total loss of power, one should be able to bleed without the service tool. It may take more effort/time.
Lexus owners who take their vehicle to Toyota should be proud that they own a Toyota
Salim
Lexus owners who take their vehicle to Toyota should be proud that they own a Toyota
Salim
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 172
Likes: 25
From: New York
I ended up bleeding the brakes this past weekend and the old fluid wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. It was goldish and a little darker compared to the brand new brake fluids which were clear gold. There were little amounts of air bubbles that came out and now brake feels great.
I also spoke to a friend of mine who is a technician at Honda dealership and asked him about using programs such as Tech Stream to fully bleed the system, he wasn't too fond of it. He mentioned that the programs don't always get the job done. It's actually best to do it manually with a bleeder and just pumping the brake pedals.
I also spoke to a friend of mine who is a technician at Honda dealership and asked him about using programs such as Tech Stream to fully bleed the system, he wasn't too fond of it. He mentioned that the programs don't always get the job done. It's actually best to do it manually with a bleeder and just pumping the brake pedals.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,559
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
No disrespect, but if you are asking the process to bleed/replace the brake fluid, please take the vehicle to a mechanic or a friend who has bled the brakes.
If you are ONLY interested in learning, there are 3 methods
Gravity
Gravity + assistance of low pressure at the master cylinder [best process]
Pedal pumping [with assistance or Single person].
Salim
If you are ONLY interested in learning, there are 3 methods
Gravity
Gravity + assistance of low pressure at the master cylinder [best process]
Pedal pumping [with assistance or Single person].
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; May 4, 2017 at 09:57 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 330
Likes: 9
From: nc
No disrespect, but if you are asking the process to bleed/replace the brake fluid, please take the vehicle to a mechanic or a friend who has bled the brakes.
If you are ONLY interested in learning, there are 3 methods
Gravity
Gravity + assistance of low pressure at the master cylinder [best process]
Pedal pumping [with assistance or Single person].
Salim
If you are ONLY interested in learning, there are 3 methods
Gravity
Gravity + assistance of low pressure at the master cylinder [best process]
Pedal pumping [with assistance or Single person].
Salim
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,559
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
Salim
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,180
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
I use a Mityvac to apply vacuum at the bleed valve to pull the fluid through the system. I had a Motive brake bleeder that applied pressure to the master cylinder but it would never maintain a decent seal and tended to leak brake fluid all over the engine. I abandoned it for the Mityvac multi fluid extractor (they also make dedicated brake bleeders, look around Amazon) and never looked back.