I just changed mine recently and the total cost was less than $30. You don't need to jack up the car. I did the whole flush on the ground. It was my first time ever doing this maintenance procedure and it took less than 30 minutes.
For the fluid I used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. It was $6/quart at AutoZone. I also picked up their fluid transfer pump for $12 (Harbor Freight sells a similar setup for $7 without a coupon).
You'll need:
- 2 quarts Dexron II or Dexron III ATF
- Fluid Extractor/Fluid Transfer Pump
- Pipe plug (get creative)
- Pliers
- Paper Towels/Shop Towels
- Something to collect the dirty fluid in
A good video reference I used was Viking Garage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FOYgaNMeZc&feature=youtu.be
Here are the procedures I followed in order:
- Under the hood find the brake fluid reservoir (Should be on the left side)
- Lay paper towels around the reservoir
- Remove the reservoir cap and use the transfer pump to extract all the fluid in the reservoir
- Find the upper hose connected to the reservoir (This is your return line)
- Using pliers, squeeze and move the metal clamp on the upper hose and then pull the hose off the reservoir (Be gentle and patient)
- Once the hose is off the reservoir, find something to cover and plug the nipple on the reservoir (I used a piece of tubing from transfer pump--about 2". I melted one side shut by heating it up with a lighter and squeezing it shut with the pliers)
- Fill the reservoir with new fluid
- Insert the extraction hose of the transfer pump into the return line (The hose you just removed)
- Begin pumping the old fluid from the return hose (This will simultaneously start to draw the new fluid you just filled in the reservoir)
- While pumping out the old fluid, be sure to keep your reservoir topped off with new fluid to avoid introducing air into the system
- Pump the old fluid out until the color becomes the same as the new fluid
- Reconnect your return line back to the reservoir (Try to be as quick as possible to avoid spilling too much out of the reservoir and return line)
- Return the metal clamp to its original location
- Verify the cold fluid level on the reservoir is at the high line and put the cap back on (Add or remove fluid as necessary)
- With the car running turn your wheel fully both way 4 times (Don't ever hold the steering fully turned in one direction for very long as this puts the most stress in the steering system)
- Verify the fluid level once more and you should be good to go.