[FaRKle!]

It's pretty commonly mentioned that there's a "DSC bleed" that's sometimes needed on these BMWs, but I didn't see any information out there actually showing the process. On the surface it sounds pretty simple, use a scanner device or ISTA to activate the DSC module and bleed fluid, but the routine is actually more complicated than that. I'll show you below what the routine looks like in ISTA.

Originally Posted by Index

0:00 Intro and prework
0:53 ISTA connecting to car
1:30 Finding the DSC bleed routine in ISTA
2:14 DSC bleed procedure intro
3:35 First internal DSC activation
4:49 Rear axle DSC bleed
6:52 Front axle DSC bleed
7:31 Last internal DSC activation
8:13 Finishing the procedure
8:39 Closing remarks

And if you need a refresher on brake bleeding in general:

Originally Posted by Index

0:39 Amount of fluid for change
1:05 Bleeding tools I like using
2:28 Getting to the brake fluid reservoir
2:59 Brake fluid reservoir overview
3:17 Pressure bleeder installation and operation
3:59 Bleed nipple overview
4:42 Bleeding the brakes
5:14 Refilling the brake fluid reservoir mid-bleed
6:15 Bleeding the rest of the corners
6:41 Closing up the brake fluid reservoir and engine compartment
7:23 Brake fluid disposal

[detroitm2]

Hah. So I was just going to do this (and post a video up) this weekend. Nice

[tux2005]

Thanks for this, I had looked for something like this last March/April may when I switched out the brake lines but didn't find anything. I had started to try to figure out the process myself but then also turned out the USB network adapter I had was broken so I gave up (regular bleed process was good enough). I'll try out this process this year before my track season really starts up (sadly delayed cause of Canada's poor COVID-19 3rd wave).

Do you have a rough estimate of how much brake fluid is used during the DSC process? I.e. if you're just filling the reservoir with fluid and not putting fluid in the pressure bleeder are you likely to need to refill? I'd obviously refill as necessary during the pre-DSC bleed/flush, and it's easy enough to refill after the DSC process and before the final bleed (although I can't imagine that requires much since everything should be pretty clear).

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by tux2005

Do you have a rough estimate of how much brake fluid is used during the DSC process? I.e. if you're just filling the reservoir with fluid and not putting fluid in the pressure bleeder are you likely to need to refill? I'd obviously refill as necessary during the pre-DSC bleed/flush, and it's easy enough to refill after the DSC process and before the final bleed (although I can't imagine that requires much since everything should be pretty clear).

I fill the reservoir full before starting each bleed cycle. For the rear you don't really have to worry about going dry, but the fronts send fluid out at a much higher rate. You should still be able to do 4 hard pedal pumps in front before checking the reservoir and seeing how low you are.

[WoodyOGM2]

FaRKle! thanks for this. Do you know which side you bleed for right hand drive during this routine please?

Wasn’t sure and due to complete this tomorrow. Appreciate the effort to share this stuff 👍

[bimmerdriver2]

FaRKle! I'm a fan of your YouTube videos. I didn't know you were here until this thread came up when I was searching about bleeding the brakes and DSC.

If I undertand the ISTA procedure correctly, you are supposed to bleed all four corners, then bleed the DSC, then bleed all four corners again.

Is my understanding correct? If so, what is the total required volume of brake fluid? In case it matters, my car has sport brakes.