Now, with dealer being and a$$ and not willing to change FOC the brake fluid that is obviously shot, I need to make a choice. Looks like the best option price/performance wise would be ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid. Is it OK to use in DOT 3 specked Honda Pilot (manual says ONLY honda DOT 3 though)?
DOT3 or DOT4 for HONDA?
- Thread starter parshisa
- Start date
- Status
Yes, you can use the Typ 200 with no problems, but there are better choices
Here are the best brake fluids IMO:
Bosch ESI6
ATE SL6
Wagner Severe Duty
Pentosin DOT 4 LV
Ravenol gold can
Castrol LMA (now in a black bottle without the LMA name, but is still the same stuff)
But even cheap Walmart DOT3 will be just fine. The most important thing is that you change it regularly. Regular fluid changes are MUCH more important than what brand you actually use.
Walmart's house brand ST DOT 3 is $5/qt. They now carry a quart of DOT4 for only a little more. Valvoline's brake fluid is even marked DOT 3&4.
Honda's brake fluid schedule is every 3 years regardless of mileage. Speed bleeders are awesome
Here are the best brake fluids IMO:
Bosch ESI6
ATE SL6
Wagner Severe Duty
Pentosin DOT 4 LV
Ravenol gold can
Castrol LMA (now in a black bottle without the LMA name, but is still the same stuff)
But even cheap Walmart DOT3 will be just fine. The most important thing is that you change it regularly. Regular fluid changes are MUCH more important than what brand you actually use.
Walmart's house brand ST DOT 3 is $5/qt. They now carry a quart of DOT4 for only a little more. Valvoline's brake fluid is even marked DOT 3&4.
Honda's brake fluid schedule is every 3 years regardless of mileage. Speed bleeders are awesome
DOT 3 or 4, your choice, and they are compatible. Absolutely no DOT 5 unless specified, and it's not compatible with 3 or 4, or vice versa.
Originally Posted By: parshisa
Walmart prestone DOT3 would be OK you think?
I am doing my Honda brakes and clutch tomorrow. IMO all Dot3 brake fluids are the same. But Dot4 is spec'd to perform at a higher temperatures range. Super Tech Dot4 is actually cheaper at Walmart than Prestone Dot3. I am going to use Super Tech Dot4.
Walmart prestone DOT3 would be OK you think?
I am doing my Honda brakes and clutch tomorrow. IMO all Dot3 brake fluids are the same. But Dot4 is spec'd to perform at a higher temperatures range. Super Tech Dot4 is actually cheaper at Walmart than Prestone Dot3. I am going to use Super Tech Dot4.
Originally Posted By: deoxy4
IMO all Dot3 brake fluids are the same
Actually there are differences, sometimes significant. Motorcraft DOT 3 has a dry boiling point of 500f putting it near DOT 5.1 but it's wet boiling point makes it a DOT 3 fluid. It is popular with those who track their cars since it is cheap to change and wet boiling point is irrelevant for their usage. And once upon a time, GM considered their AC Delco DOT 3 a lifetime fluid!
I like Valvoline DOT 3&4. Anyone know the specs for the Supertech DOT 4?
IMO all Dot3 brake fluids are the same
Actually there are differences, sometimes significant. Motorcraft DOT 3 has a dry boiling point of 500f putting it near DOT 5.1 but it's wet boiling point makes it a DOT 3 fluid. It is popular with those who track their cars since it is cheap to change and wet boiling point is irrelevant for their usage. And once upon a time, GM considered their AC Delco DOT 3 a lifetime fluid!
I like Valvoline DOT 3&4. Anyone know the specs for the Supertech DOT 4?
The ATE 200 is a great choice. In fact, it's probably the best brake fluid for under $20/qt. There are better brake fluids if you are in to tracking a car, but as you point out, that's not what you are doing.
A good friend of mine used to have a Viper that he raced on weekends. His brake fluid of choice was ATE type 200. And from talking to him, ATE type 200 was used in the shops of many of his fellow racers. Admittedly, this was back when Super Blue was still available. Many of the racers would keep a stockpile of ATE 200 and ATE Super Blue, alternating between them at each flush and fill, so they could easily see the change of brake fluid.
If one compares specs, it's easy to see that ATE 200 is a great choice. Probably overkill for your Pilot. But hey, I can't say much. ATE 200 is what is currently in my '13 Outback.
A good friend of mine used to have a Viper that he raced on weekends. His brake fluid of choice was ATE type 200. And from talking to him, ATE type 200 was used in the shops of many of his fellow racers. Admittedly, this was back when Super Blue was still available. Many of the racers would keep a stockpile of ATE 200 and ATE Super Blue, alternating between them at each flush and fill, so they could easily see the change of brake fluid.
If one compares specs, it's easy to see that ATE 200 is a great choice. Probably overkill for your Pilot. But hey, I can't say much. ATE 200 is what is currently in my '13 Outback.
I've been using el cheapo Valvoline dot 3/4 for many years and hundreds of thousand of miles. Works beautifully. Unless you're racing, I don't see a need for anything better then even FRESH Supertech Dot 3 vs whatever old nasty junk you might currently have in the lines.
Originally Posted By: Artem
I've been using el cheapo Valvoline dot 3/4 for many years and hundreds of thousand of miles. Works beautifully. Unless you're racing, I don't see a need for anything better then even FRESH Supertech Dot 3 vs whatever old nasty junk you might currently have in the lines.
I've done the same myself for years w/o issue. The last two jobs I used Wagner Dot 4 I grabbed on sale. No problems to report. I think the most important thing for daily drivers is actually changing out the brake fluid. I know a lot of people who never change out brake fluid, in fact their cars will end up in the junkyard with the original brake fluid unless a line, caliper, master cylinder or some other brake system component fails, necessitating adding or changing the brake fluid.
I've been using el cheapo Valvoline dot 3/4 for many years and hundreds of thousand of miles. Works beautifully. Unless you're racing, I don't see a need for anything better then even FRESH Supertech Dot 3 vs whatever old nasty junk you might currently have in the lines.
I've done the same myself for years w/o issue. The last two jobs I used Wagner Dot 4 I grabbed on sale. No problems to report. I think the most important thing for daily drivers is actually changing out the brake fluid. I know a lot of people who never change out brake fluid, in fact their cars will end up in the junkyard with the original brake fluid unless a line, caliper, master cylinder or some other brake system component fails, necessitating adding or changing the brake fluid.
Originally Posted By: parshisa
Walmart prestone DOT3 would be OK you think?
Last brake fluid flush used Prestone DOT3 "High Temp Syn", slightly higher wet and dry BP. At the time it was only $1.77 12oz bottle at Walmart with online order, store pick up. Excellent price. Online price here now matches in store price.
Dot 3 or 4 will work in Honda.
Walmart prestone DOT3 would be OK you think?
Last brake fluid flush used Prestone DOT3 "High Temp Syn", slightly higher wet and dry BP. At the time it was only $1.77 12oz bottle at Walmart with online order, store pick up. Excellent price. Online price here now matches in store price.
Dot 3 or 4 will work in Honda.
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
Originally Posted By: parshisa
Walmart prestone DOT3 would be OK you think?
Last brake fluid flush used Prestone DOT3 "High Temp Syn", slightly higher wet and dry BP. At the time it was only $1.77 12oz bottle at Walmart with online order, store pick up. Excellent price. Online price here now matches in store price.
Dot 3 or 4 will work in Honda.
If you are one that does a brake fluid flush and fill on a regular basis, with very few exceptions, it really doesn't matter which DOT 3, DOT 3/4 or DOT 4 you use for a daily driver. Prestone, Valvoline, Mastercraft. For driving to and from work every day, weekend trips in the country, and running errands, you don't need Pentosin, ATE, Bosch, Castrol, or any of the other premiums. But if you like one of them, and decide to put it in the daily driver, then go for it.
Originally Posted By: parshisa
Walmart prestone DOT3 would be OK you think?
Last brake fluid flush used Prestone DOT3 "High Temp Syn", slightly higher wet and dry BP. At the time it was only $1.77 12oz bottle at Walmart with online order, store pick up. Excellent price. Online price here now matches in store price.
Dot 3 or 4 will work in Honda.
If you are one that does a brake fluid flush and fill on a regular basis, with very few exceptions, it really doesn't matter which DOT 3, DOT 3/4 or DOT 4 you use for a daily driver. Prestone, Valvoline, Mastercraft. For driving to and from work every day, weekend trips in the country, and running errands, you don't need Pentosin, ATE, Bosch, Castrol, or any of the other premiums. But if you like one of them, and decide to put it in the daily driver, then go for it.
Originally Posted By: BHopkins
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
Originally Posted By: parshisa
Walmart prestone DOT3 would be OK you think?
Last brake fluid flush used Prestone DOT3 "High Temp Syn", slightly higher wet and dry BP. At the time it was only $1.77 12oz bottle at Walmart with online order, store pick up. Excellent price. Online price here now matches in store price.
Dot 3 or 4 will work in Honda.
If you are one that does a brake fluid flush and fill on a regular basis, with very few exceptions, it really doesn't matter which DOT 3, DOT 3/4 or DOT 4 you use for a daily driver. Prestone, Valvoline, Mastercraft. For driving to and from work every day, weekend trips in the country, and running errands, you don't need Pentosin, ATE, Bosch, Castrol, or any of the other premiums. But if you like one of them, and decide to put it in the daily driver, then go for it.
I want to try one of the premium LV fluids for increased ABS performance. Especially on a DD that is winter driven where it snows.
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
Originally Posted By: parshisa
Walmart prestone DOT3 would be OK you think?
Last brake fluid flush used Prestone DOT3 "High Temp Syn", slightly higher wet and dry BP. At the time it was only $1.77 12oz bottle at Walmart with online order, store pick up. Excellent price. Online price here now matches in store price.
Dot 3 or 4 will work in Honda.
If you are one that does a brake fluid flush and fill on a regular basis, with very few exceptions, it really doesn't matter which DOT 3, DOT 3/4 or DOT 4 you use for a daily driver. Prestone, Valvoline, Mastercraft. For driving to and from work every day, weekend trips in the country, and running errands, you don't need Pentosin, ATE, Bosch, Castrol, or any of the other premiums. But if you like one of them, and decide to put it in the daily driver, then go for it.
I want to try one of the premium LV fluids for increased ABS performance. Especially on a DD that is winter driven where it snows.
- Status
Similar threads
