Getting Started with Brake Bleed Lab

Brake Bleed Lab is a web-based automotive service tool that helps you plan and document brake fluid service. It calculates the correct bleed order, estimates fluid volumes, generates step-by-step procedures, and diagnoses common braking issues. You can access it at brakebleedlab.codecide.net from any modern browser.

This guide walks you through your first visit and shows you how to get a complete service plan in about a minute.

What You Can Do

  • Plan a bleed or flush – Enter your vehicle’s configuration and receive the correct wheel bleed sequence, fluid volumes, and a printable procedure.
  • Diagnose pedal issues – Use structured decision trees to find causes for a soft pedal or fluid leak.
  • Check hydraulic math – Calculate master cylinder to caliper ratios and line pressure.
  • Assess fluid condition – Estimate boiling point degradation from moisture and find compatible fluid upgrades.
  • Save records – Keep service profiles and logs directly in your browser.

Opening the App

Open your browser and go to:

https://brakebleedlab.codecide.net

No account or login is required for most features. The app works entirely in your browser; all data is stored locally on your device.

On first load you may see a welcome message with an optional app‑lock feature for privacy. You can skip or enable it as you prefer. The main interface appears immediately after.

A Quick Tour of the Interface

The app is organised into five tabs along the bottom:

Tab Purpose
Calculator Configure your vehicle, view the bleed sequence, and see fluid volumes.
Procedure View a step‑by‑step bleed procedure based on your configuration.
Diagnose Run through diagnostic decision trees for soft‑pedal or leak complaints.
Reference Quick‑reference tables for fluid specs, component volumes, torque values, and a hydraulic ratio calculator.
Records Save, review, and export vehicle profiles and service records.

At the top you’ll find a header with the app name, a dark‑mode toggle, language selector (English, Spanish, German, French), and an about/info button.

Planning Your First Bleed

1. Select a Vehicle Preset (Quick Fill)

On the Calculator tab:

  • Use the Vehicle Class dropdown to pick the closest preset (e.g., Compact FWD – ABS, Truck/SUV 4WD, Motorcycle – Single Disc).
  • The preset automatically fills in:
    • Brake system type (standard, ABS, ABS+ESC)
    • Circuit split (diagonal X‑split, front/rear, independent)
    • Corner configurations (caliper type, piston count, pad wear)

You can later adjust each setting manually if your vehicle differs from the preset.

2. Choose Service Details

  • Service Mode – Select Bleed (remove air) or Flush (replace all fluid; roughly double the volume).
  • DOT Fluid – Choose the fluid you will use (DOT 3, 4, 4+, 5.1, or 5). The app will warn you about chemistry or ABS incompatibilities.
  • Component Replaced – If you changed a caliper, hose, master cylinder, etc., indicate it here. This increases the estimated fluid volume to account for extra bleeding.
  • Service Scope – Pick Full System, Single Axle, or Single Wheel to focus the plan on a portion of the vehicle.

3. Review the Bleed Sequence and Volumes

Once you have made your selections, the Bleed Sequence and Fluid Volume cards update automatically:

  • Sequence shows the wheel order (e.g., front‑left → front‑right → rear‑left → rear‑right), including any manufacturer overrides like Honda’s furthest‑first rule.
  • Volume tells you:
    • How much fluid to buy (in metric or imperial units)
    • Per‑corner and per‑circuit volume breakdowns
    • Estimated waste and ABS modulator volume if equipped

The app tracks the reservoir capacity and will warn you when you need to top off during the bleed.

4. Move to the Procedure Tab

Switch to the Procedure tab. If you have configured a vehicle in the Calculator, the procedure is already generated. You can:

  • Choose a bleed method (pedal pump, gravity, vacuum, or pressure) – this changes the per‑step instructions.
  • Page through numbered steps with clear per‑corner directions, refill alerts, and safety notes.
  • At the end, print or export the procedure as a PDF using your browser’s print function.

Diagnosing a Problem

If you are dealing with a soft brake pedal or a suspected leak, head to the Diagnose tab.

  1. Select the symptom you are experiencing.
  2. Follow the guided decision tree – you will answer follow‑up questions based on your observations.
  3. The app identifies likely causes and recommends specific checks or repairs.

No configuration is needed beforehand; the diagnostic tools work independently.

Reference and Records

  • Reference – Look up DOT fluid specifications, brake component displacement volumes, bleeder valve sizes, and a glossary. A built‑in hydraulic ratio calculator helps you evaluate custom brake setups.
  • Records – Save your current vehicle configuration as a named profile. You can later load it, update it, or delete it. Completed service records are stored here and can be printed for shop documentation.

For Advanced Users: API & MCP Integration

Brake Bleed Lab exposes a full HTTP API at /api and a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server at /mcp. These allow other tools and AI assistants to interact with the app programmatically.

  • API – Send vehicle configurations and retrieve bleed sequences, volume calculations, procedures, warnings, hydraulic ratios, and fluid degradation data.
  • MCP Server – Connect compatible AI clients directly to the brake‑service tools for automated planning and diagnosis.

Interactive API documentation is available at brakebleedlab.codecide.net/api/docs.

Next Steps

  • Enterprise Plan – For unlimited saved profiles, fleet management, and priority support, visit the Enterprise page.
  • Feedback – Use the feedback button (bottom‑right) to report issues or suggest improvements.

For any other questions, reach out via the support channels listed on the website. Start planning your next brake service at brakebleedlab.codecide.net.