How to Bleed Brakes
You have a busy schedule and it can feel like you never have time to slow down, but the one thing you should always slow down for is your brakes. You may not have heard the term bleeding your brakes, but the team at Ira Honda Saco is here explain what it means and why it’s important to get it done.
Our team want to make sure you’re as informed as you can be when it comes to important vehicle maintenance. That’s why we put together this quick guide for all our neighbors in the Saco, Portland, and Scarborough, ME, area. Read on to learn about your brakes and why it’s important to bleed them.
What Does It Mean to Bleed Brakes
While it may sound concerning initially, bleeding brakes is a totally normal part of brake maintenance. Your brakes work on a hydraulic system, which means they need liquid in them to function. This is brake fluid, which is a chemical solution designed to help this system work.
Brake fluid, like many things, does not stay good forever and eventually needs to be replaced. Think of it like an oil change or a transmission fluid change. Every once in a while, it needs to be removed and replaced with a clean, fresh amount. “Bleeding” refers to the removal of the brake fluid that has been compromised by air or moisture.
How Often Should You Bleed Your Brakes
Bleeding brakes, like many other parts of brake maintenance, does not have to be done very often—only once every two or three years or so.
The biggest reason it needs to be done is that air or moisture can get into your brake lines and cause the brake to be less effective than normal. You might describe this as your brakes feeling “mushy,” or not responding to the amount of pressure you’re putting on them.
Air and moisture typically get into your lines when we replace different parts of your brake system. For example, when we replace your brake pads every 30,000 miles. You may also need a brake bleed if there’s been a leak in your brake system, letting in air or moisture.
What Happens When You Bleed Brakes
Bleeding brakes is a simple process, but it can take a while. What we’ll do is unhook your brake lines and press on the pedal until any air trapped in the lines is removed. If you need your fluid replaced, we’ll repeat this until all of the fluid is out of your lines. Afterwards, we’ll reattach your brake lines and top up your fluid.
While you’re waiting for us to finish getting your brakes in tip-top shape, sit back and relax in our waiting area. We have complimentary coffee for you to sip, as well as business centers to make sure you can stay up to date on what happens at your work while we finish our work.
Visit Ira Honda Saco to Get Your Brakes Bled
Whether you’re meticulous about writing down your service dates or your brakes are just feeling a little bit off, come and visit the team at Ira Honda Saco to get your brakes bled. We’re here to help keep all our friends in the Saco, Scarborough, and Portland, Maine, areas.
Schedule your next service appointment today!
