I am going to change rotors and pads on my 03 Sorento to slotted and drilled rotors with the pads they recommend. I am also going to give it a fluid drain and fill. It has been suggested I replace the fluid with Dot 4 fluid. Factory shows Dot 3. The truck has 4 wheel discs. Good idea? Synth ? Best brands? Thanks for you knowledgable answers in advanced.
Brake fluid ?
- Thread starter nstoolman1
- Start date
- Status
I think all brake fluid is synthetic. A good over the counter brake fluid is Valvoline Synthetic Dot 3 & 4 fluid. Ford heavy duty brake fluid is also very good and sold through Ford dealers.
If I were you, I'd stay away from slotted and drilled rotors. The slotted rotors can cause premature pad wear and the drilled rotors give the pads less surface area for friction. The call is yours...
If I were you, I'd stay away from slotted and drilled rotors. The slotted rotors can cause premature pad wear and the drilled rotors give the pads less surface area for friction. The call is yours...
Stay with factory Dot 3 fluid and you'll need to flush only every 3-4 years, if you switch to Dot 4 fluid you'll need to flush every 2-3 years.
truck?
smile!
smile!
Napa has a house brand that works well. I think it's Dot 4. Crystal clear and easy to use when flushing (color difference).
I usually use Prestone DOT3 in the yellow quart containers from Walmart.
The Valvoline DOT3/DOT4 that comes in the white bottles is also a very popular choice.
The Valvoline DOT3/DOT4 that comes in the white bottles is also a very popular choice.
If I could I would edit my post to say small suv but I don't see an edit button. I am glad I could bring a "smile" to you. Thanks all for the opinions.
This is off-topic, but beware that some of those slotted and cross-drilled rotors are of a very poor quality, especially the ones you see on eBay. Also, the pads that they "recommend" are not always very good. A lot of those vendors are out to make a quick buck.
Also off topic but IMO Unless you are going to race on a track don't put thoses on.you won't generate enough heat to gain any advantage prob be worse during city driving with less rotor surface for pad contact. However do as you wish ...
I've had good luck with my drilled/slotted rotors from Ebay, bought from a seller with over 18,000 positive feedbacks and very few negatives. They stop well, haven't warped yet, and have zero rust on them. This is after 8 months of use. They're good if you live in hilly areas as you do generate enough heat repeatedly stopping at the bottoms of hills.
I'd recommend a name-brand ceramic pad for both long life with the rotors and decent stopping power.
Plus, flush the brake system with pretty much any DOT 3/4 fluid you wish. It's easy, just time-consuming.
I'd recommend a name-brand ceramic pad for both long life with the rotors and decent stopping power.
Plus, flush the brake system with pretty much any DOT 3/4 fluid you wish. It's easy, just time-consuming.
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Plus, flush the brake system with pretty much any DOT 3/4 fluid you wish. It's easy, just time-consuming.
Brake fluid flushes are VERY quick if you use a pressure bleeder with a vehicle-specific adapter.
I used a Motive Power Bleeder with the GM adapter on my Saturn. It took less than eight minutes to flush one quart of fluid through all four lines.
Plus, flush the brake system with pretty much any DOT 3/4 fluid you wish. It's easy, just time-consuming.
Brake fluid flushes are VERY quick if you use a pressure bleeder with a vehicle-specific adapter.
I used a Motive Power Bleeder with the GM adapter on my Saturn. It took less than eight minutes to flush one quart of fluid through all four lines.
Not off topic. I asked for opinions and I am enjoying the responses. The Kia Sorento is notorious for warping the rotors. Even when driven non aggresively she still gets warped. Kia is aware of the problem. I have 109000 on the original rotors. I've had them turned once(by Kia) and after mikeing them they are a tad close to no good. I could have them turned but they won't survive. The cost of the new rotors and pads were $350. No added shipping. That turnes out to be about $60 for each set of items. 4 rotors and 2 sets of pads. They carry a life time warranty against warping. I have 2 daughters so bleeding them is no broplem. I get to lay down while they use their younger legs to do all the work. So my choice of fluids is Dot 4 and change it a little sooner than Dot 3 right.
Most cars that use Dot 4 are recommended to change every 2 years, you may delay 1 year or 2 years max.
Try raybestos advanced technology rotors & parts. Guaranteed 1 year and no turning just clean them with brake cleaner and bolt on. The AT ceramic pads should have a lifetime guarentee. You want to clean the hub flange on that vehicle very well and lube with silicone brake grease before installing a new rotor. Any DOT 3 or 4 fluid is fine. I like valvoline.
Critic, I am not lucky enough to have a power bleeder. Only a lowly vacuum pump from HF. It takes forever with that thing.
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Critic, I am not lucky enough to have a power bleeder. Only a lowly vacuum pump from HF. It takes forever with that thing.
I have fairly poor results with a vacuum bleeder. On one car that I used it on, I introduced some air into the system. I thought everything was OK until I bled the system with a power bleeder and the pedal became much firmer. You should consider investing in a power bleeder.
Critic, I am not lucky enough to have a power bleeder. Only a lowly vacuum pump from HF. It takes forever with that thing.
I have fairly poor results with a vacuum bleeder. On one car that I used it on, I introduced some air into the system. I thought everything was OK until I bled the system with a power bleeder and the pedal became much firmer. You should consider investing in a power bleeder.
Every time I have used DOT4, the system stayed cleaner, despite the fact that I'm told DOT4 absorbs more moisture.
Valvoline and Pennzoil make great DOT4 approved brake fluids.
Don't get duped into the hype of "Full synthetic brake fluid." DOT 3 and 4 brake fluid is a glycol ether, which must must be made synthetically.
Valvoline and Pennzoil make great DOT4 approved brake fluids.
Don't get duped into the hype of "Full synthetic brake fluid." DOT 3 and 4 brake fluid is a glycol ether, which must must be made synthetically.
Kestas
Staff member
Yes, but they look cool.
Originally Posted By: Gubaru
Stay away from the drilled and slotted rotor, unless you are going to start doing track days with your car, which is the only place those rotors MIGHT help.
The drilled rotors have a tendency to crack when exposed to high heat during track events.
Stay away from the drilled and slotted rotor, unless you are going to start doing track days with your car, which is the only place those rotors MIGHT help.
The drilled rotors have a tendency to crack when exposed to high heat during track events.
- Status
Similar threads
