Changing brake fluid

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mhdriver, Mar 2, 2026.

Page 2 of 2
  1. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    7,808
    3,980
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That is not true. It doesn't leak, unless something is damaged.
    Brake fluid is inside the caliper behind the seal. It doesn't leak past the seal unless the seal
    and/or caliper wall are damaged or cracked.
    The puck moves very little.
     
    #21 ASRDogman, Mar 7, 2026
  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,511
    2,496
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Not true. All rubber seals are wetted with a thin fluid film of lubricant for them to funcas designed. New caliper seals are assembled with a thin film of brake fluid.

    Otherwise, heat will "glue" the lip of the seal to the metal piston.

    It's like coating the rubber seal of the oil filter with a thin film of oil.
     
    #22 Georgina Rudkus, Mar 7, 2026
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2026
  3. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2023
    157
    61
    9
    Location:
    florida
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Well, I ended up doing it like the Carcarenut on YouTube. Drained the reservoir with a syringe. The tubing with the syringe was surprisingly too large in diameter to slide down into the reservoir properly. Ended up finding a straw to slide into the tubing and then down into the reservoir. Got the little hand pump to attach to the bleeding nipples, ran through a few cycles until the fluid coming out was tested good. Did all 4 brakes without difficulty. I disconnected the car battery before I started the whole process. Bought a tester on Amazon.

    All in all, as easy as an oil change.
     
    #23 mhdriver, Mar 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    28,019
    18,534
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Or, when we're following the repair manual, with a bit of lithium-soap-thickened glycol grease.
     
    #24 ChapmanF, Mar 22, 2026 at 4:22 PM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 2 of 2