How to Bleed a Honda Civic Caliper

Bleeding the calipers on your Honda Civic helps purge old brake fluid from the brake lines and remove any air bubbles trapped within. This process helps improve the performance of your brakes by removing fluid that is inundated with moisture and trapped air -- factors that can contribute to mushy brake pedal feel and increased stopping distances. Bleeding the calipers should be done as recommended within the Civic's owner's manual. The Civic sports front disc brakes on all trim levels and rear disc brakes on higher-end trims such as the LX and Si.

Instructions

1

Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable. Open the brake master cylinder reservoir and use a turkey baster to remove as much fluid as possible. Be careful not to get any brake fluid on painted surfaces. Dispose of the old fluid in a safe manner and add fresh brake fluid to the reservoir. Close the reservoir when finished.

2

Loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench without removing them. Raise the rear of the vehicle with a floor jack and place jack stands underneath. Remove the lug nuts and slide the wheel off of the axle.

3

Start at the rear passenger side of the vehicle and look for the bleeder valve on the back of the brake caliper. Place a combination wrench over the bleeder valve and have it ready to turn the screw. Slide a length of clear plastic tubing over the bleeder valve and feed the other end to a clear plastic bottle.

4

Have a partner pump the brake pedal until the brakes feel firm. Place a block of wood underneath the brake pedal so it won't sink to the floor during the bleeding process. Instruct your partner to press and hold the brake pedal. Quickly open the bleeder valve with the combination wrench and allow the brake fluid and any trapped air to evacuate the brake lines. Close the valve when the fluid stops draining and instruct your partner to release the brake pedal.

5

Check the brake fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir and add fresh brake fluid as needed. Always refill the reservoir, as air can enter the brake lines through the master cylinder if the fluid level is too low.

6

Wipe off the brake caliper with a shop towel. Have your partner pump the brake pedal until the brakes are firm again and repeat the process at the rear driver side wheel. When finished, bleed the brakes at the front wheels using the same steps, working from the passenger side wheel to the driver side wheel.

7

Mount the wheels on the vehicle and lower it when finished. Recheck the fluid level in the reservoir and top it off. Remove the block of wood from underneath the brake pedal and pump the brakes until they become firm. Start the vehicle and carefully test drive the Civic. Check for a firm and non-mushy brake pedal feel as you apply the brakes. Dispose of the old brake fluid in a safe and environmentally friendly manner afterward.