How to Raise a Car to Bleed Automotive Brakes

A time may come when you need to bleed the brakes on your car. Bleeding the brakes involves getting rid of all of the possible air and contaminated fluid in the brake lines. However, before you can bleed the brakes, you'll need to lift the car.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Use a hydraulic lift if you have access to it. If you work in a garage or mechanic's shop, then you can easily raise the car with the hydraulic lift. Everyone else needs to use the traditional method of lifting a car.

2. Opt to use a floor jack and safety stand to lift the car if you don't have a hydraulic lift available. You can place the floor jack in the middle of the vehicle and adjust it to lift the car to the appropriate height. You must use the safety stand to keep the jack in place.

3. Raise the car high enough so that it's slightly off of the ground. You don't need to elevate the car too high, just high enough for you to fit underneath the vehicle.

4. Get complete access to the brake lines by removing the tires with a standard tire iron. Once the car is lifted and the tires are off, the brakes are ready for bleeding.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the car is supported before you bleed the brakes. You don't want an accident to occur.
• When lifting the car and bleeding the brakes, you should have someone nearby to assist you when necessary.

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