Do break fluids really make a difference?

[JHZR2]

THe only time that the quality f brake fluid makes a difference is when it is loaded with moisture, and youre overheating your brakes due to high brake loads.

Many folks never change their fluid, or only change a small amount when doing pads. Others (and most euro car companies) demand yearly or bi-annual fluid change. Obviously there is a reason for this in relatively cool northern Europe... long rainy season, lots of standing water??

From what Ive seen, not replacing fluid all too often (due to lack of reccomendation)seems to be fine enough for most vehicles, hough the fluid, regardless of quality, will start to darken and get kind of scummy on top.

Id say that if you drive reasonably, and dont have severe regular braking requirements (large trailers, large mountain passes, etc), a DOT 3 fluid would be sufficient in ANY car. Just like many dont need syn oils but put them in anyhow, a DOT 4 fluid would give a margin of safety for those who dont change their fluid as often, or just want to feel OK about it.

Me? I use cheap DOT 4 (often called 3/4) fluid, like ATE SL, valvoline synpower, NAPA band, castrol LMA, etc. The extra $1 or 2 I spend isnt going to break the bank, and I get a bit higher wet boiling point should I ever need it. I do flush my brakes VERY well, however I do it only when a set of pads or a clutch is replaced... or if I feel a spongy pedal, etc.

JMH

 

[Kestas]

I'd be careful making blanket statements like "DOT 3 is okay for ANY car". You have to take into consideration that maybe the manufacturer came up with this recommendation because the brake fluid can heat up quicker due to vehicle design, which heats the fluid more than in other models. We don't know.

 

[JHZR2]

OK, very true and good point.

But my statement standing, if one drives carefully and well within the legal limits, with care and gentleness, Id venture to guess that most adaptations of DOT4 fluid - which really are only euro cars, sre unnecessary.

Doesnt mean that I dont use DOT4 in my euro AND american vehicles, I just know that given my driving style, I certainly dont NEED it.

JMH

 

[casper]

Valvoline Synpower is the best stuff for the money on the market today...

 

[unDummy]

IMO, any DOT4 is good enough for most vehicles. But, you need to know your vehicle.
Use the recommended fluid or better. And, since better isn't overly expensive, there is no point in using cheaper brake fluid.

Brake fluid only makes a difference in extreme situations. Extreme temps, moistures, distance between bleeds,....are why I'll recommend a dot4 over a dot3 any day.

 

[bluemax1]

ATE is probaby the best bang-for-the-buck brake fluid at about $9-$10 per liter. Motul RBF600 is easier to find but costs about double.

On that list already posted, Neo Super Dot is good and costs about the same as RBF600, Castrol SRF is great but costs about $70 per liter. Cobalt XRF is no longer made/available. Wilwood EXP 600Plus is another good fluid with a 626dryBP and 417wetBP.

All of the above are good for folks who are hard on their brakes. AutoX or hit roadcourses? Any of the above is vital. Street driving only? Well, that's a lot more subjective, but if you consider that regular brake fluid is anywhere from $4 to $7 a liter, why not get ATE?

BTW, ATE is what I use at the track (and street). I also have a Stoptech 355mm brake kit. Keeps the temps low enough that ATE has been enough for me. If I find my brake temps rising high enough to boil freshly flushed ATE, I'd probably work on improved cooling ducts to the brakes rather than just using a higher BP fluid.

ATE has another advantage for those who want to flush their own brakes. since ATE SuperBlue and Typ200 are identical except for their color, it's easy to alternate colors between brake bleeds. Use Blue one time and then when bleeding the brakes the next time, use the Typ200 Amber. Bleed till the new color shows, pump a few more times till the fluid coming out is competely the new color, move on to next caliper. Speedbleeders are great for solo brake bleeding.


Max

 

[Tones]

Max, I heard that the blue color can stain the reservoir. So I have avoided this practice. You have any experience like that?

 

[bluemax1]

Quote:

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Max, I heard that the blue color can stain the reservoir. So I have avoided this practice. You have any experience like that?

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Hmmm.... first that I've heard of it. Have to admit, my fluid reservoir is old enough (original '94) that I really wouldn't care if it stained the reservoir.


Max

 

[JHZR2]

Ive never found that super blue stains... but I have found that it takes a LONG time and a LOT of fluid to get full color change in a bigger vehicle... In my E30 BMW, it uses a lot... in my chevy truck (yes, I used super blue in there once thinking I was doing myself a favor), it took a LOT!!!

JMH

 

[Carmudgeon]

I first used Super Blue in 1994. I thought it had stained the reservoir, as JHZR2 says, it simply takes a lot of fluid and time to eliminate all traces of it in the system.

Personally, I don't find the marginal benefit from alternating between it and Typ200 to be compelling enough to engage in the practice. It's not that difficult to tell when fresh fluid is flowing from the caliper.

The blue color is kinda neat, and makes fanboys happy, but it doesn't affect performance. The gee-whiz factor does make it a little easier to find -- some shops will stock SB but not TYP200, proabably because the novelty of the color and being labeled a "racing" fluid makes it an easier sell.

 

[tdi-rick]

some vehicles specify Super Dot 4 for their ABS systems as it has a much more stringent viscosity specification. Generally, it's also a higher boiling point fluid compared to 'standard' Dot 4 fluids.
I tend to use it in our big heavy 4WD's that tow/carry a lot.

 

[GearGuy]

How much moisture is going to make it into brake fluid since the sytems are pretty much sealed?
And shouldn't the bottles on the store shelves have an expiration date due to absorbing moisture over time?

 

[moribundman]

The NHTSA says the brake fluid in 20% of 1,720 vehicles sampled contained 5% or more water.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/bfluid.htm