ABS Brake Fluid

[srivett]

Canadian Tire sells an "ABS" DOT 3 fluid and I have to admit that I think it is some sort of scam. Am I being unfair? I'm not up to date when it comes to new car fluids but from what I know the only two real brake fluid specs to consider are DOT 3 and 4. These fluids go back to before I was born so seeing some new kids on the block has me wondering.

I've tried the Canadian Tire ABS safe brake cleaner on my motorcycle and it actually makes the brakes slicker than their regular brake cleaner. I'm pretty sure I didn't hose any fork oil onto my rotors whilst rinsing things off.

Any thoughts on the ABS "rated" stuff sold at Crappy Tire?

Thanks, Steve

 

[JHZR2]

I believe Ive seen such stuff here as well.

If I recall, its a DOT3 fluid with a slightly higher wet and dry boiling point than the minimum spec (which is what most fluids are designed to).

JMH

 

[y_p_w]

It may be good stuff, but I'd choose at least a low-hygroscopic DOT 4 (like Castrol GTLMA) and change it at least every two years. I'm currently using a DOT 5.1 fluid, which is compatible with all glycol brake fluids.

There's a lot of marketing fluff with brake fluids. There's probably nothing about that fluid that makes it terribly special for ABS. My favorite is when Valvoline attached the SynPower label to some high performance brake fluid. Its specs were well above DOT 4, but they labelled it "synthetic". Well - conventional brake fluid is "synthetic" - a mixture of glycol and glycol ethers. It was a decent product at a reasonable price though. Now Prestone has relabelled what used to be "Heavy Duty DOT 3" as "Synthetic DOT 3".

 

[JohnBrowning]

Use what the cap recomends in an OEM non-raceing application. If on the other hand you have a really demanding application you should consider Motul's brake fluids! They have a guide to help you pick the best one. To the best of my knoldge Motul makes some of the finest brake fuids available!!!