Changing the brake fluid is also known as bleeding the brakes, which entails getting old brake fluid out of the brake system and getting all the air out. You need to bleed the brakes every time you replace the brake pads, or every 2 to 3 years, to get new fluid in the brake system. The brake fluid becomes contaminated with dirt and metal particles from the moving parts in the master cylinder and calipers. You will need 2 people to complete this task.
Remove the cover on the master cylinder, which is located under the hood in the rear of the engine. Suck the old brake fluid out of the master cylinder with a turkey baster, and fill the master cylinder with new brake fluid to within 1/4 inch of the top. The only recommended brake fluid for a Honda Accord is Honda Brake Fluid Dot 3. Put the cover back on the master cylinder, but do not lock it. You will need to refill the master cylinder throughout this process.
Spray the bleeder screws on all wheels with oil to help loosen old bleeders then use a socket wrench to open the bleeder screw on all 4 wheels. Remove the bleeder screws and replace them with new bleeders. Screw in the new bleeders so they are closed. You can get new bleeders from a Honda parts shop.
Have another person get in the car and pump the brake pedal a few times.
Attach the clear hose to the bleeder screw on the wheel furthest away from the master cylinder, and put the end of the hose in a clear jar.
Begin the process on the rear passenger side wheel, then move to the rear driver's side wheel, then the front passenger wheel and, finally, the front driver's side wheel.
Open the bleeder screw then have the person in the car slowly press down on the brake pedal. You will see fluid come out of the hose. When the pedal is fully pressed down, close the bleeder screw. You do not want any air sucked back into the brake system when the pedal is released. Have the person in the car slowly let up on the brake pedal. Repeat this step until there are no more air bubbles coming out of the hose.
Repeat Step 4 and Step 5 on the other 3 wheels in the sequenced explained in Step 4. Remember to check the level of brake fluid in the master cylinder after you are done with each wheel. Keep the master cylinder full with brake fluid. Make sure all the bleeder screws are closed and the top on the master cylinder is secured when you are finished bleeding the brakes.
