2013-2022 Honda Accord two-person brake bleed procedure

A brake bleed is required after any component that opens the hydraulic system is replaced or serviced: caliper replacement, brake hose replacement, master cylinder replacement, or ABS module service. A bleed is also indicated by a spongy pedal, a pedal that sinks to the floor with steady foot pressure, or a low fluid level with no external leak. A firm pedal that stays firm does not need a bleed just because "the fluid looks dark" - a full fluid flush is a different procedure that pushes new fluid through the entire system.

The 2013-2022 Honda Accord has ABS on all trims and a standard four-wheel disc brake system. The bleed sequence is furthest-from-master-cylinder first: right rear, left rear, right front, left front. This sequence assumes a healthy ABS module - if the ABS has been serviced or the pump has run dry, an ABS-scan bleed procedure via HDS or an equivalent scan tool is required to fully purge the ABS block, and the two-person manual procedure below is insufficient.

Open the hood. The brake fluid reservoir sits at the rear driver's side of the engine bay, mounted to the master cylinder. Wipe the reservoir cap and the surrounding area clean before opening. Any dirt that falls into the reservoir goes straight into the ABS block and can foul the solenoid valves. Remove the cap and use the turkey baster to draw out the old fluid down to the minimum mark. Do not empty the reservoir - running the master cylinder dry pulls air into the system and dramatically extends the bleed procedure. Top up with fresh DOT 3 to the MAX mark. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air. The bottle of fluid should be freshly opened for this job; a jug that has been open in the garage for a year has already absorbed enough moisture to defeat the point of bleeding.

Chock the wheels, lift the vehicle at the factory jacking points, and support on jack stands at all four corners. Remove all four wheels for full access to each caliper bleed screw. On the Accord the bleed screw is at the top of each caliper, covered by a small rubber dust cap. Pull the caps off and set them aside. Do not skip the wheel removal for the rears - the parking brake apply cable on 2018-2022 Accord Sport and Touring trims uses the same caliper body and access to the bleed screw with the wheel on is essentially impossible.

Fit the 10mm box wrench over the right rear bleed screw. Push the vinyl hose over the bleed screw nipple and drop the other end of the hose into the catch jar with enough hose to loop below the fluid level in the jar. The loop is important - it prevents air from being sucked back up the hose into the caliper as the pedal releases.

Communicate the sequence with the helper before starting. Standard call and response:

• Helper: "Down" (as they press the pedal firmly to the floor)
• Bleeder: "Open" (as the bleed screw is cracked a quarter turn and fluid runs out)
• Bleeder: "Close" (as the screw is tightened again)
• Helper: "Up" (as the pedal is released)

Never let the helper release the pedal while the bleed screw is open - releasing with the screw open sucks air back into the caliper and ruins the bleed. Repeat the cycle six to ten times per corner or until the fluid running out is clear and free of bubbles. Check the reservoir level after every three cycles and top up to prevent running dry.

Torque the right rear bleed screw to 7 ft lbs (10 Nm). Verify against your service manual. Move to the left rear and repeat the same six to ten cycle sequence. Watch fluid color as it runs through the hose - old dark fluid gives way to clean amber fluid, which is the signal to move on.

Torque the left rear bleed screw to 7 ft lbs (10 Nm). Verify against your service manual. Move to the right front caliper. The front bleed screw is on the top of the caliper next to the brake hose fitting. Same sequence, six to ten cycles.

Torque the right front bleed screw to 7 ft lbs (10 Nm). Verify against your service manual. Move to the left front. Same sequence, six to ten cycles. This is the corner closest to the master cylinder and typically requires the fewest cycles to run clean.

Torque the left front bleed screw to 7 ft lbs (10 Nm). Verify against your service manual.

Top up the reservoir to the MAX mark. Refit the reservoir cap firmly. Have the helper press the brake pedal firmly several times with the engine off. The pedal should build to a firm high stop within two pumps. If the pedal sinks slowly with steady pressure, the master cylinder has an internal bypass and needs replacement - bleeding will not fix this. If the pedal is spongy, air is still in the system and the bleed sequence must be repeated.

Reinstall each wheel and start each lug nut by hand two turns. Snug in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle. Torque the Accord wheel lug nuts to 80 ft lbs (108 Nm). Verify against your service manual.

Test drive at low speed in an empty area first. Perform three moderate stops from 25 mph. Confirm the pedal remains firm and the vehicle stops straight. Progress to a stop from 45 mph. If the pedal loses firmness or the ABS activates unexpectedly, air is still trapped in the system, most likely in the ABS module, and a scan-tool bleed is required.