ATE Super Blue in an Acura?

[cadfaeltex]

Thought about hijacking the colored brake fluid thread but decided not to I have a 2007 Acura MDX that is overdue for a brake fluid flush. Dealer was supposed to do it when I took it in a while back but judging by the shiner bock color of the fluid I don't think they did (learned a little since then). I like the idea of the blue fluid to make sure I get a full flush but Honda/Acura seems obnoxiously attentive to making sure one only uses their fluids. Anybody used ATE or similar good non-OEM fluid in a Honda/Acura vehicle of this vintage?

 

[Rand]

what does the manual specify if it says
dot 3 brake fluid / blah blah acura part number..

then they shouldn't have a problem.. if they do find a new dealer.

 

[cadfaeltex]

You hit it on the head Rand. dot 3 - Acura only, change out as soon as possible if other fluid is used. Not in warranty anymore and not convinced that Acura/Honda fluids of any description have any special magic stuff that will keep the from flying apart.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Honda and Toyota both had fairly public recalls last year with master cylinder seal problems. They recalled the vehicles, but blamed the problem on non-OEM brake fluid having been used. They said that the OEM fluid has additional seal conditioners or something that keep the seals in better shape. I don't know if that's true or not, but for the relatively small difference in price, I just stick with OEM fluid.

You should get a good idea of when you get clean fluid coming through the lines. I exchanged the brake fluid on our '05 MDX a few months ago and it went well. Be sure to follow the order listed in the service manual. For ours, it was LF, RF, RR, LR as I recall. It was NOT the typical "start with the furthest wheel and work to the closest".

 

[cchase]

I don't get Honda with these special fluids. Their transmissions have always been picky too - it's not like they're better for it.

Do they invent their own materials or something that are magically incompatible with everything else on the market? It seems like silliness to me.

Good to know that yet another Honda fluid is apparently so amazingly different than anything else, you're put at the dealers mercy.

 

[scurvy]

I don't like running it straight, as it can (AND WILL!) stain the master cylinder and all the lines dark bloo. I've always cut it 50/50 with another DOT4 (Valvoline Synpower or Castrol LMA - both of which are crystal clear). That way it's blue enough to tell when you've got the line fully flushed but not so blue that it'll make your brake system look like a Smurf massacre.

But if your current brake fluid tastes looks like Shiner, you'll be able to tell when any sort of fresh, light amber-to-clear fluid is present at the bleeder. I like Castrol LMA for brake systems that may not see a rigorous 2 years maximum between flushes. Pep Girls carries it - other stores may, but I've never seen it any any other chain FLAPS.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Hmmm, didn't think about the staining. I got some to put in my old Jag. Does it stain really badly?

 

[cadfaeltex]

Ok, staining thing got me. Going to go OEM with the Acura and probably go 2 to 1 on the Jag with something else (2) to the one part ATE. What is the shelf life on the ATE if I don't open my unused?

 

[cadfaeltex]

Anybody? I'm not sure I want to use it at all if it's going to stain.

@Scurvy: did it not stain when you cut it with other stuff?

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
Does it stain really badly?

Badly enough that you'll never get the reservoir back to its original translucent white again which makes it difficult to read the level. Badly enough that subsequent brake flushes came out blue for many years going forward.

This happened to a buddy's Jetta; I learned from his mistake and have only run it cut 50/50. It has not stained the brake system in either of the cars I've run it in (my Golf & Beetle) for several years.

 

[Loobed]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
Does it stain really badly?

Badly enough that you'll never get the reservoir back to its original translucent white again which makes it difficult to read the level. Badly enough that subsequent brake flushes came out blue for many years going forward.

This happened to a buddy's Jetta; I learned from his mistake and have only run it cut 50/50. It has not stained the brake system in either of the cars I've run it in (my Golf & Beetle) for several years.



That is good to know. I don't want to stain my reservoir.

 

[cchase]

For what it's worth, we have not had staining issues with the Super Blue.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: cchase
For what it's worth, we have not had staining issues with the Super Blue.


How long did you have it in?

 

[cchase]

2 years in most applications. It's been in our BMW for about 5 or 6 years at a time though with very minor discoloration. It flushes clear though, no "residual".

EDIT: I'm not claiming that it won't discolor in some applications, just that it hasn't been my experience.

 

[EricF]

Ate Super Blue is a true Dot4 fluid and it will be fine in your MDX as it has a high boiling point, which I think is 575F ?

as for the honda & toyota master cylinder recalls, I personally believe it had nothing to do with non-oem brake fluid, moreso just a bad batch of rubber, or the actual factory fill fluid wasn't up to snuff and cause the rubber to break down before any "non-oem" fluid was introduced.

Was a nice jab at the aftermarket tho.. I'm sure the dealerships loved it.

 

[dorkiedoode]

get the ATE Gold if you don't want staining

 

[cadfaeltex]

Problem is that I already have the ATE Blue that I ordered last fall.