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Brake fluid flush with Techstream

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Dennis Lai, Jul 17, 2018.

  1. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    This is the G2 forum describing in detail how the G3 brakes works does not help the OP.
     
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  2. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Quick question, how much total Toyota Dot 3 Fluid is needed? Toyota sold me four bottles of 12 FL Oz Dot 3 Brake Fluid when I told them I was looking to flush my brake system. I'm guessing I need way more than that? Also, those four bottles cost me $43!
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I had the same question, albeit with a 3rd gen. I opted for two "pints" of Toyota DOT3 brake fluid (think they were labelled 473 millilitres, or some such travesty :rolleyes:), and they were around $7.50 (CDN).

    All the time I was draining and topping up, I was kinda keeping an eye on my supply, aiming to do a decent amount on each, more on the rears than the front (especially due to the rears being pump activated), AND end up with a slight amount in reserve, say 2 ounces, just in case I need to make an adjustment top-up.

    Right at the outset you shoot a fair bit into the reservoir, when you baste it out and refill, food for thought.

    That amount worked out well for me. I believe I asked @NutzAboutBolts and that was about what he used too? Again, that was 3rd gen. FWIW, I searched for a spec, how much brake fluid is in the car, with no luck. Seems like something that should be documented.
     
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  4. Sezy

    Sezy Active Member

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    Silly question perhaps. Trying to avoid doing a brake fluid flush and wonder what would happen if I ran the steps from Techstream as if I were? Changed front brake pads a few weeks ago and starting to get the warning lights. Had everything disconnected including the relays, keys away, opened the door a lot and pumped the brakes while off. Feel there is air in the line and hoping running the procedures from Techstream could push the fluid around to remove the air the warning lights are seeing. Brakes are working fine.
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I do not understand your hope on this. If you believe that air actually is in the system, how will the air to be removed if you don't flush the system to get the air removed as it exits out of a wheel cylinder bleeder fitting?

    Since you have Techstream, use that to clear the skid control DTC. If the same DTC comes back maybe that will motivate you to do the brake bleeding.
     
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  6. Sezy

    Sezy Active Member

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    Was aiming to take the lazy route, not actually bleeding the brakes but telling Techstream to do a flush. Hoping it would push air back and balance the system,fixing my brake warning lights.

    Didn't think where would the fluid go or not go before asking. Sounds like I'm best getting a bud whose done a brake flush before to help while I do the computer part.

     
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    It’s not so much where the fluid goes but the trapped air. Bleed until no more air. Easy.....fill small jar with fresh fluid put bleeder hose in jar under the fluid connect hose to bleeder valve. As long as hose under fluid it cannot suck back air upon a bleed. Bleed until you see no more air bubbles in jar.
    But u still need techstream the second you open it to bleed the system will see loss of pressure.
     
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  8. John321

    John321 Senior Member

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    Here is a link to video on you tube to get you started. There are other videos


    I bled my brakes back in June when I replaced the brake actuator assembly on our 2008 Prius. It was 3 months out of the extended warranty coverage.
    The old brake fluid that came out was discolored and the first supply that came out of the bleed ports for each wheel was certainly dirty. Having a helper will certainly make this job easier. Once you get the hang of using the techstream utility it won't be too hard to bleed the brakes. If you want to bleed the whole system it will take a lot of fluid, I think I used 32 oz to completely flush mine. Between the reservoir capacity and all the fluid in the actuator assy and other brake assemblies a complete flush takes a good amount of fluid. Once you get some confidence using techstream it make bleeding the brakes an easy job and it is 'neat' to command the car to do certain functions thru a laptop. You will want to familiarize yourself with the braking system components as you will be pulling relays etc to follow the techstream procedure. I printed out the portion of the Toyota Prius manual and familiarized myself with the procedures before even attempting the brake actuator replacement, calibration and brake bleed procedure. It made me feel more confident when I did it.
     
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  9. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Approximately ONE GALLON (128oz). FWIW, last time I flushed the entire system, due to getting air into the rear line, I think I used a little over 3quarts. It took a lot of fluid to get the air bubble dispelled.

    What services you need and what you don't | PriusChat
    Any DOT3 will suffice. WrongMart seems to be the cheapest for DOT3.
    dot 3 brake fluid - Walmart.com
    $13=1gallon, $7=1quart (4quarts=1gallon), $3=12oz bottle
     
    #29 exstudent, Dec 9, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2018
  10. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    I was totally thinking the same thing. Does this really benefit the system as a whole when the fluid at the rear is allllllll the way down there at the end of a dead end tunnel?