5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Brake system flush, how much fluid?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-01-2008, 04:51 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Whitebread's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 503
Brake system flush, how much fluid?

I want to do a full system flush with a motive bleeder when I get home today, but I'm worried the 1 liter can of ATE I've got won't suffice. Does anyone know if 1 liter of fluid is sufficient to flush the whole system?
Whitebread is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 06:47 AM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
The Hulio's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 24
I'd get at least 2 litres, maybe 3. It's good to keep flushing until the brake fluid comes out clean, so you need more than capacity.

Joe.
The Hulio is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 10:35 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Whitebread's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 503
What's capacity? Also, can I mix different brands of DOT 4 fluid?
Whitebread is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 12:19 PM
  #4  
Old Fuddy Duddy
 
Colonel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,712
When I did mine, it took about a litre. Did you get the blue or the gold? Make sure its "dark" at each corner if you got the blue and if its gold, make sure its really "light".

Quantity is more dependant on previous maint.

I do mine every two years and it usually takes just under a litre per attempt. I switch back and forth between the blue and the gold.
Colonel is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 01:02 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Whitebread's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 503
I'm pretty sure the fluid in the car has been there for the last 96 thousand miles. I bought the blue fluid but based on Hulio's recommendation, I bought another 2 liters for almost 18 dollars. Hopefully I really don't need any more than 1 liter so I don't have to open the other two bottles.
Whitebread is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 05:25 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Whitebread's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 503
Just finished flushing the system. Brakes feel great!

BUT, I used WAY more fluid then I needed. You don't need a whole liter to flush the whole system whatsoever, let alone 2 or 3. The output from the bleeder screw turns blue fairly quickly. Wasted quite a bit of fluid, enough to do my moms Maxima.
Whitebread is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 08:24 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
hi-tek22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 947
took me two bottles of ATE blue

i can admit i wasted a bit but i wanted to be 100% sure
hi-tek22 is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 09:46 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Whitebread's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 503
Originally Posted by hi-tek22
took me two bottles of ATE blue

i can admit i wasted a bit but i wanted to be 100% sure
Wasteful, imo.
I think I'm going to call the dealership and try to find out how much fluid it takes to completely fill the brake system in our cars.
Whitebread is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 09:52 PM
  #9  
Glory Glory Man United
iTrader: (16)
 
blkAEmax82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,989
Originally Posted by Whitebread
Wasteful, imo.
I think I'm going to call the dealership and try to find out how much fluid it takes to completely fill the brake system in our cars.
Why not check the FSM ?
blkAEmax82 is offline  
Old 08-01-2008, 10:09 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
hi-tek22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 947
Originally Posted by Whitebread
Wasteful, imo.
I think I'm going to call the dealership and try to find out how much fluid it takes to completely fill the brake system in our cars.

yea i kno....im far from being a pro, this was my first time EVER doing my brakes, and bleeding.....eh, im learning as i go along...and considering it was my first time ever, i did pretty good....

2 months no problems so far
hi-tek22 is offline  
Old 08-07-2008, 07:35 PM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
FM 1970's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 28
How often are you supposed to flush your brake fluid system? I've never heard of this before.
FM 1970 is offline  
Old 08-08-2008, 12:54 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
CMax03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 9,542
I would suggest doing it annually or bi-annually depending on your humidity level! I use synthetic and I can build moisture inside so I change my brake fluid annually, I'm in a high humid area ( the 3rd coast)
CMax03 is offline  
Old 08-08-2008, 11:52 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
pyroz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 171
Originally Posted by FM 1970
How often are you supposed to flush your brake fluid system? I've never heard of this before.
bleeding the brakes. google it or search it on here.

basically you pump the brake fluid out your bleeder screw, refill in reservoir, rinse and repeat until new fluid comes out the screw.
pyroz is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sctludwig
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
8
09-01-2022 01:32 PM
BkGreen97
Maximas for Sale / Wanted
2
04-02-2016 05:47 AM
bbsitum
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
4
09-11-2015 04:55 PM
Violator
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
1
09-09-2015 10:14 AM
A32goldylocks
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
2
09-02-2015 06:39 AM



Quick Reply: Brake system flush, how much fluid?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:56 AM.