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my vehicle calls for a DOT 3 brake fluid, any particular brands out there you all recommend.. or is all brake fluid essentially equal?
Brake fluid for a complete flush
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harbor
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I would just go with a brand name like Prestone, SuperTech, Valvoline, etc…
It was for DOT4 but castrol claimed the lowest seal swell in the industry.
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I usually get Super Tech as well, in the 32 oz size. Be sure to check the unit price--I don't think a gallon is cheaper because 32 oz. is $5.98, and a gallon is $24.22. There is an assumption we can't do math nor know what a quart or gallon are. It's not the 30 cents, it's the fact that the car doesn't take much (prolly 30-40 oz) and one doesn't want to leave brake fluid opened, it's hygroscopic. Plus one can pour directly from the 32 oz. bottle, I don't think that can be done from a gallon jug.
On the BMW, for whatever reason, I use genuine BMW. Prolly doesn't matter. But it's still in the big picture so inexpensive, it's just the habit I got into years ago trying to decipher what fluid it takes in the DOT 4 family. I buy 3 12 oz and it really doesn't even take all 3. I gave up the BMW is the only car I actually go to each caliper and bleed, even though I do have GM and Toyota adapters for my Motive. The other 2, I use a syringe simply because brake fluid is cheap enough.
It really works well
https://a.co/d/dkMNNrw
On the BMW, for whatever reason, I use genuine BMW. Prolly doesn't matter. But it's still in the big picture so inexpensive, it's just the habit I got into years ago trying to decipher what fluid it takes in the DOT 4 family. I buy 3 12 oz and it really doesn't even take all 3. I gave up the BMW is the only car I actually go to each caliper and bleed, even though I do have GM and Toyota adapters for my Motive. The other 2, I use a syringe simply because brake fluid is cheap enough.
It really works well
https://a.co/d/dkMNNrw
The 32oz ST ones are never in stock at my WalMart, just like their brake cleaner, so the next option is Prestone for like $10, which is how I end up at the ST gallon.
I seem to get stuck doing the hard to bleed ones that end up taking more like 60+. It's usually after a MC or pump replacement.
I seem to get stuck doing the hard to bleed ones that end up taking more like 60+. It's usually after a MC or pump replacement.
Any brand of DOT 3 rated fluid will be fine.
I always use ATE or Bosch
4WD
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Have used Prestone for many years. Seems good nuff - getting the old stuff out means more than brand …
SuperTech. Learned the hard way over the years. Every 30K miles change it. Empty out the reservoir with a turkey baster and refill with new. Then bleed all four brakes. Chris Fix has an excellent one man brake bleeding video on YT or use a MityVac. Go until clean fluid comes out. You'll never have brake problems.
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ATE is a blast from the past for me. When I had Volvos, I'd always have to figure out if my calipers were ATE or Girling.
I have used the Bosch above along with a mix of other brands. I could never tell the difference between them but I'm not out on the race track or hauling heavy loads up and down mountains. It would be interesting to see if there is really any difference between brands.
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Isn't the same true of ATF, yet say in the Toyota world there seems to be this saying only use Genuine WS which isn't even synthetic. A "universal" fluid covering all types....that's why with the BMW I just said I'll use OE and now I know it's correct. Compatible--what does that mean? Approved by the mfg., yes or no....
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i read that 4 is compatible with DOT 3 but may absorb moisture quicker than the 3 having shorter service life. is this true?
I am either going to go with super tech or O'Reilly whichever I can find locally in stock.
I am either going to go with super tech or O'Reilly whichever I can find locally in stock.
If you are close to a Menards you can have FVP for about the same price as the ST from Walmart. I've used Valvoline, ST and FVP in all 3 of my vehicle flushes.
Just my $0.02
Just my $0.02
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no menards my way
Bosch is my current brake fluid of choice. Higher boiling point than most all the other common brake fluids. In normal driving, I may never need the difference between the Bosch and the others, like Prestone or Valvoline. But I vacation in the mountains often, and it is nice to know that I've got that higher boiling point, if I ever need it.
+1 for Bosch in both cars.
That's the general consensus, with a little bit of difference of opinion in some discussions and literature. We overthink this and many of us over-generalize without regard to individual situations. I.E., a daily driver in the flatlands has lesser needs than someone towing in the mountains or racing their cars. Unless you really need the higher temperature ability of DOT 4, it is not "better". And if one neglects their brake fluid, DOT 3 might hold up longer (moisture).
Similar discussion 4 years ago: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/dot-3-vs-dot-4-brake-fluid.345487/ And, I use Prestone because is doesn't sit on the store shelves long.
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