Brake Fluid Difference

[Hall]

Originally Posted by The_Cams
Takes about an hour and $5 for a Qt of Super Tech DOT3.

I see these quotes for $120, $90, and $80 for a brake flush and shake my head (plus tax and shop supplies). Jiffy Lube and Sears Auto were the most reasonable quotes I found at $60.

If it takes about an hour, what's wrong with a shop charging $80-120 ? I know people will claim "it only take 15-20 minutes" and I call bull**** on that. Start the clock from when you start the car to pull it into your garage or work area. Include the time to jack it up, remove the wheels, etc, etc. I also think that repair shops almost have a minimum charge for anything, i.e. an hour's labor, especially when there's really no parts involved. Anything much less than that, it almost seems not cost-effective for them. Not counting oil changes or tire rotations, of course.

 

[The_Cams]

"hallstevenson" - There's absolutely nothing wrong with charging anything you're willing to pay. I'm not willing to pay $80+ for a machine flush, when I can do a manual flush myself for $5, rotate the tires at the same time, and not have to worry about the bleeder dust covers disappearing. I find it unreasonable. Especially, when Sears and JL do a machine flush for $60.

In fact, a few years ago Sears Auto machine flushed my brake fluid for $40 plus shop supplies (an extra $2.75). In and out in 32 minutes. But hey, if you're willing to pay, have at it.

 

[y_p_w]

Oldie but goodie. The FMVSS requirements are here:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2011-title49-vol6/pdf/CFR-2011-title49-vol6-sec571-116.pdf

 

[y_p_w]

Doesn't Pikes Peak require being able to select 1st gear? I can't do that on my wife's Civic with only D/D3/2. My dad drive a vehicle with a CVT and paddle shifters where it can approximate a 1st gear.

If I had a rental to take up Pikes Peak I'd probably ask for something where I could get into 1st.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted by Kage860
Apparently you only have to worry about boiling "wet" brake fluid on the racetrack, street driving shouldnt get hot enough either way. I heard toyota has no maintenance schedule for brake fluid. I generally flush brake fluid when I change pads. 5.1 is more resistant to boiling so I would use that one.

I've personally seen someone who was driving a car where the fluid boiled on the street. The occupants had minor injuries and both airbags deployed, but the driver said that the brake pedal went all the way down and nothing happened. I'm guessing the car was 20 years old and the fluid had either never been replaced or it was at least a decade.

I've got some DOT 5.1 myself. Several 500 ml bottles of Motul 5.1 which might be 10 years old but sealed. Also Wagner Severe Duty 5.1 I bought about 5 years ago but never used.