I want to change my brake fluid on my 2001 Lincoln. What is a good commonly available brake fluid within my spec? Same for Power steering fluid? Ive seen the prestone at WM as well as Super Tech.
brake fluid recommendations
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Castrol GT LMA.
Anybody's brand brake fluid will be just fine.
First find out if it is it spec'd for DOT 3, 3/4, 4.
First find out if it is it spec'd for DOT 3, 3/4, 4.
I just buy from Napa.. Has always worked well for me (their brand)
I get the big bottle of Valvoline DOT 3/4 at Autozone.
One more thing...
Don't be concerned with finding a full synthetic brake fluid.
They ALL are!
Don't be concerned with finding a full synthetic brake fluid.
They ALL are!
Quote:
Don't be concerned with finding a full synthetic brake fluid. They ALL are.
+1
I disagree with the any-brand recommendation. Some exceed the minimum requirement, especially the wet (4% water) minimum spec. I'd pick Castrol or Valvoline as readily available brands. The highly regarded Ford DOT3 fluid has an extremely high dry boiling point, thus it's preference among hobby racers who change fluid very frequently, but has a barely minimum wet boiling point...not the best for the rest of us.
Don't be concerned with finding a full synthetic brake fluid. They ALL are.
+1
I disagree with the any-brand recommendation. Some exceed the minimum requirement, especially the wet (4% water) minimum spec. I'd pick Castrol or Valvoline as readily available brands. The highly regarded Ford DOT3 fluid has an extremely high dry boiling point, thus it's preference among hobby racers who change fluid very frequently, but has a barely minimum wet boiling point...not the best for the rest of us.
Ate Dot4 Blue if you can find it.. 575F boiling point.
Originally Posted By: EricF
Ate Dot4 Blue if you can find it.. 575F boiling point.
ATE Super Blue and Type200 are the same fluid - the first one is coloured blue and costs 40% more (where I get it anyways). It's useful to alternate blue and gold so you know when you've bled all of the old fluid out of the system. Other than that, there's no advantage to the blue and the blue isn't DOT legal in all areas.
Both are excellent fluids.
Ate Dot4 Blue if you can find it.. 575F boiling point.
ATE Super Blue and Type200 are the same fluid - the first one is coloured blue and costs 40% more (where I get it anyways). It's useful to alternate blue and gold so you know when you've bled all of the old fluid out of the system. Other than that, there's no advantage to the blue and the blue isn't DOT legal in all areas.
Both are excellent fluids.
I used to use the Valvoline SynPower brake fluid until they replced with the Valvoline 3/4 Fluid, never had any problems. In my Eclipse I have Amsoil Dot 4 and it has also been great. I've noticed that the Amsoil filled car has kept a cleaner looking resivoir than the other cars I have. I can't attest that it is because of the fluid, or if it just the way the car is.
What's the consensus (if there is one) on a good interval for doing a brake fluid flush? I had our VUE done at 2.5 years / 24K miles after I had both the dealer and my local Firestone Complete Auto Care tell me I should have it done. (Firestone showed me some kind of test strip.) My Nissan is about 2.5 years old and will turn over 30K next month. The dealer schedule recommends it at that mileage interval but there's nothing in the manufacturer schedule that says anything about brake fluid.
The change interval depends on the humidity in your region and a few other factors. 2 years, in lieu of testing, is a safe recommendation. If you every overheat your brakes, change the fluid...the heat alters the fluid.
There are always sales on brake fluid. Almost every week/months at the autoparts chains'.
Yes, every 2 years is standard. Use the correct DOT rating by your owner's manual, and bleed by the shop manual. If you don't know what you're doing (like me), then don't do it yourself.
Many people know that overheating can harm brake fluid, but not everyone knows that brake fluid will absorb moisture over time. The corrosion inhibitors stop working, too. Brake fluid is perishable, NOT a lifetime fluid.
Many people know that overheating can harm brake fluid, but not everyone knows that brake fluid will absorb moisture over time. The corrosion inhibitors stop working, too. Brake fluid is perishable, NOT a lifetime fluid.
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