Dot 3/4 brand differences

[buck91]

Is there any appreciable difference between various brands of Dot 3/Dot 4 brake fluid? For example in the spring I will be doing brakes on my '11 F150 and plan to flush out the factory fluid. Does it matter one bit if I go with Motorcraft, Valvoline "synthetic" or something like Wearever "gold premium?" Truck is rated for Dot 3 fwiw.

 

[charbaby]

Probably Not! Unless you are doing something more severe with your vehicle in the braking dept. Then, I think there is special fluids out there for severe driving/braking.

But for the everyday driving/towing/hauling, the names you mentioned are all about the same IMHO. Other members may have different opinions.

Just keep in mind that all DOT 3/4/5.1(DOT 5 is silicone) brake fluid it always synthetic(always has been AFAIK). For the past 20 years or so, I have ONLY used Tech2000/SuperTech and AAP/WearEver and almost nothing else.

 

[skyactiv]

I use to use Castrol GT LMA DOT 4 but switched to Valvoline DOT 4 since Castrol is harder to find.

I think DOT 4 fluids can absorb water faster than DOT 3 fluids. So you might need to change out a brake system containing DOT 4 fluid sooner.

Motorcraft brake fluid has been regarded as being very good for years now.
I think some Lincoln's in the late 60's had issues with boiling brake fluid which led Ford to engineer something better than most off the shelf brake fluids.

 

[skyactiv]

I just did a quick search of Motorcraft brake fluid. Their DOT 3 fluid is indeed superior to many others.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I just did a quick search of Motorcraft brake fluid. Their DOT 3 fluid is indeed superior to many others.


Very good! But, in what way? Can you elaborate on this a bit? I'm not being sarcastic, just curious!

I have read(read only) that Honda & Toyota DOT 3's are better, expecially for their specific vehicles as well but, I never knew why! In my HonYota's, I have used only the brake fluids that I mentioned above.

 

[doublebase]

I can't tell you the difference between brands, but I can tell you the difference between brake fluids. Dot 3 has a lower boiling point than dot 4. And it also has a lower "wet" boiling point. Wet boiling point is the fluid after it has absorbed water - which they all eventually do because they are hydroscopic.

As a rule of thumb it is ok to put dot 4 into a dot 3 brake system, but it is not ok to put a dot 3 into a dot 4 brake system, because the dot 3 will lower the performance of the dot fluid.

And any car with ABS should not be using dot 5 brake fluid.It aerates from the rapid pulsing the ABS module causes in an ABS situation. That will make the pedal spongy and potentially dangerous.

 

[ragtoplvr]

Brake fluids also have anti corrosion additives and lubrication additives. For example AC Delco changed their fluid for more lubrication. These are just if not most important for most of us.

Rod

 

[Doog]

All DOT 3 fluids are fine for street driving. Changing brake fluid regularly is more important than the brand.

 

[Trav]

https://www.lelandwest.com/brake-fluid-comparison-chart.cfm

 

[HerrStig]

Amazon can supply Castrol DOT 4. I have an '82 BMW bike and DOT 4 is the factory spec.

 

[dlundblad]

If your truck is rated for DOT 3, then I would use that. DOT 4 "deteriorates" quicker IIRC.

Not too sure on being able to mix them either.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I just did a quick search of Motorcraft brake fluid. Their DOT 3 fluid is indeed superior to many others.


Very good! But, in what way? Can you elaborate on this a bit? I'm not being sarcastic, just curious!

It's DRY boiling point (at 500*F) is indeed higher than even the DOT 4 standard.

But it's WET boiling point is just at the DOT 3 standard.

This is why many road racers were using this stuff as an inexpensive alternate to the MUCH costlier, high temp 'boutique' brake fluids.
They were NOT concerned with the wet boiling point, as they were either bleeding their brakes every session/race, and/or flushing out the WHOLE system every few weeks or so (or immediately after a rainy session/race).

The Castrol GT LMA/DOT4 has a slightly better than DOT 4 standard wet and dry point IF you can find it.

After that, one has to go to at least the Ate Type 200 to get a significant upgrade in wet and dry boiling points, and will outlast the pure racing fluids in regular street use (up to 2-3 years, by Ate's claims).
This stuff is a GRAND bargain for the price (at ~$15.00/liter to $20.00/liter) not too much more by volume than the 'on the shelf' fluids, again IF you can find it outside of; amazon, ebay, Tire Rack, and oter various race suppliers/shops.

Past that, one is into the REAL racing/boutique fluids with VERY high dry points and substantially higher wet points than the DOT 4 standards, but they co$$$$t (from ~$34.00/liter to almost $85.00/liter!!), and must be changed at least once a year in a street driven vehicle

 

[artificialist]

Some companies make a brake fluid that is different because the viscosity is lower. They say it makes ABS and traction control systems function better.

Pentosin is one of those companies, they call their product "DOT4LV." I use it in my car and my mom's car.

DOT4 is suppose to deteriorate faster than DOT3, according to automotive school books, but my experiences show that DOT4 actually stays cleaner than DOT3 over time.

 

[crazyoildude]

I don't think i ever saw that chart Thank you..

 

[jk_636]

Buck91 if I was you, I would find an authorized BG service center and get there brake flush/service. It is about $100 all together (give or take) and they use their BG DOT 4 brake fluid. From what I have seen, this is the best fluid on the market to date. All the fluids that BG makes are top notch, and I have used them in multiple vehicles for many years. They also stand behind all their products with an outstanding service warranty. Look into it, you will not be dissapointed!

Brake fluid: https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/brakes/bg-super-dot-4-brake-fluid/

Lifetime BG protection plan: https://www.bgprod.com/programs/lifetime-bg-protection-plan/

 

[joel96]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I just did a quick search of Motorcraft brake fluid. Their DOT 3 fluid is indeed superior to many others.


Very good! But, in what way? Can you elaborate on this a bit? I'm not being sarcastic, just curious!

It's DRY boiling point (at 500*F) is indeed higher than even the DOT 4 standard.

But it's WET boiling point is just at the DOT 3 standard.

This is why many road racers were using this stuff as an inexpensive alternate to the MUCH costlier, high temp 'boutique' brake fluids.
They were NOT concerned with the wet boiling point, as they were either bleeding their brakes every session/race, and/or flushing out the WHOLE system every few weeks or so (or immediately after a rainy session/race).

The Castrol GT LMA/DOT4 has a slightly better than DOT 4 standard wet and dry point IF you can find it.

After that, one has to go to at least the Ate Type 200 to get a significant upgrade in wet and dry boiling points, and will outlast the pure racing fluids in regular street use (up to 2-3 years, by Ate's claims).
This stuff is a GRAND bargain for the price (at ~$15.00/liter to $20.00/liter) not too much more by volume than the 'on the shelf' fluids, again IF you can find it outside of; amazon, ebay, Tire Rack, and oter various race suppliers/shops.

Past that, one is into the REAL racing/boutique fluids with VERY high dry points and substantially higher wet points than the DOT 4 standards, but they co$$$$t (from ~$34.00/liter to almost $85.00/liter!!), and must be changed at least once a year in a street driven vehicle

There's a cease and desist on the super variety...don't know if that company has a reputable supply chain. Next closest one in the wet boil range would be Tilton TBR-1; $0.96/oz. EDIT: No, actually the price is going to be higher...guy who runs the chart needs to account for estimated shipping costs.

 

[joel96]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...t#gid=699474151
I'm leaning towards Ferodo Super Formula. High wet and dry points, $18.99 for 500ml, no shipping fee. There any reason I shouldn't get a racing formula? Possibly because it won't last as long, or because it gets contaminated easily by water and debris? Maybe because it isn't low viscosity like the Pentosin (and costs about twice as much)? Doesn't do well in the cold?

The users' manual doesn't say what the capacity is of my Hyundai Accent 2003...wondering how much I'm going to need to get (might post another thread for that question).

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I just did a quick search of Motorcraft brake fluid. Their DOT 3 fluid is indeed superior to many others.


There is more than that out there.

Another DOT3 to consider with high flash points:

Amsoil DOT3
Wet: 304F
Dry: 520F

It can be had for under $8 per 12oz bottle. Seems like a high quality fluid that never gets much discussion.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I just did a quick search of Motorcraft brake fluid. Their DOT 3 fluid is indeed superior to many others.


There is more than that out there.

Another DOT3 to consider with high flash points:

Amsoil DOT3
Wet: 304F
Dry: 520F

It can be had for under $8 per 12oz bottle. Seems like a high quality fluid that never gets much discussion.


Yes, I forgot all about the Amsoil product.

It even beats the Motorcraft's wet point by a good margin.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: joel96
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...t#gid=699474151
I'm leaning towards Ferodo Super Formula. High wet and dry points, $18.99 for 500ml, no shipping fee. There any reason I shouldn't get a racing formula? Possibly because it won't last as long, or because it gets contaminated easily by water and debris? Maybe because it isn't low viscosity like the Pentosin (and costs about twice as much)? Doesn't do well in the cold?


From what I have been told on here (and elsewhere) is that although the racing fluids have higher wet boiling points (some MUCH higher; see Castrol React SRF) than standard DOT 4s, they also have chemistries which make them more prone to take on moisture than the 'street' fluids, as counter-intuitive as this might seem.
It does not matter to racers since most of them are flushing out their whole brake systems every couple of weeks on the long side to every single session, or race on the short side.

I am guessing those high wet boiling points are just for VERY humid areas, or rain races (and maybe endurance racing where it has to last from 6-24 hours).

I am not sure about the viscosities of the pure racing fluids, or their cold flow capabilities, but my guess is they are NOT as thin as the Pentosin DOT 4 LV.

I would just stick with the Ate Type 200, Amsoil, Castrol DOT 4, or the like, for a street driven only car, unless you plan on changing out fairly expen$ive boutique fluid every year or less.