Regular brake fluid changes are part of vehicle maintenance, and you might wonder if you need a Scan Tool With Abs Bleed capabilities for this task. For simple fluid swaps, like preparing for track days or routine maintenance, a manual brake bleed might be perfectly adequate. In these cases, you’re mostly refreshing the fluid, and any old fluid remaining won’t significantly affect performance, especially since it’s unlikely to reach the calipers if the ABS system engages later. A common and effective manual bleed sequence is Rear Right, Left Front, Rear Left, and Right Front, which suits cross-split brake systems common in many vehicles.
However, situations arise where a scan tool with ABS bleed becomes invaluable. The primary scenario is when air enters the ABS module itself. This can happen if the system has been opened up for repairs, or if the brake fluid level was allowed to drop too low. Standard manual bleeding techniques often fail to remove air trapped within the ABS module. This is where the ABS bleed function on a scan tool is specifically designed to cycle the ABS module valves and pump, effectively purging trapped air.
Even if you’re not certain whether air is in the ABS module, but you’re performing a brake bleed on a system that hasn’t been fully emptied, using the auto bleed sequence on a scan tool is a safe approach. These automated procedures are designed to push a sufficient volume of new fluid through the entire system, including the ABS module, lines, and calipers, ensuring a thorough bleed.
Using a scan tool for ABS bleed typically involves a guided, step-by-step process displayed on the scanner screen. The tool will instruct you to “Open X bleed screw and pump the brake pedal” for a specified duration, then prompt you to move to the next wheel. For vehicles with front calipers that have both inner and outer bleed screws, it’s a good practice to use the ABS tool bleed procedure on the inner screw first. Afterward, perform a couple of manual bleed cycles on the outer bleed screw to guarantee that fresh fluid completely fills the caliper. This extra step can be done between automated bleed cycles if your scan tool allows, or after completing the full automated bleeding sequence. This ensures no pockets of old fluid or air remain, especially in more complex caliper designs.
