Generic DOT4 Brake fluid

[D11Dozer]

Any good reason to buy more expensive DOT4 brake fluid for my motorcycles over Walmart Supertech brand ?

 

[zrxkawboy]

nope

 

[CharBaby]

Buy brake fluid(that you trust) at the lowest price that you can get it for.
I’ve been using Walmarts(SuperTech) and Advance Auto Parts (WearEver) a.k.a. CarQuest and other store brands for over 30 years without issue.

 

[alarmguy]

No

 

[Lubener]

Any good reason to buy more expensive DOT4 brake fluid for my motorcycles over Walmart Supertech brand ?

I buy whatever is cheapest. There's no difference.

 

[Overfill]

No difference in corrosion inhibition?

 

[SuperSalad]

No difference in corrosion inhibition?

Shouldn't be, no. Brake fluid is so tightly regulated and companies actually manufacturing it are a very small group, relatively speaking.

It is true that some types are better than others, but if you're comparing two of the same spec, no point in comparing anything other than price.

 

[alarmguy]

No difference in corrosion inhibition?

NO

...and you are supposed to change your motorcycle brake fluid every two years (which most are unaware of) as brake fluid absorbs water, you risk dying if you dont and it has NOTHING to do with corrosion. It has to do with water in the system getting hot and turning to vapor = NO brakes then.
No way to get the water out until you change the fluid. Required maintenance or risk brake failure under high operating conditions do to vapor lock.

Dont ask me how I know, long story and out of time but Ill tell you one day if you dont know my story about coming down a mountain in the smoky mountains 2 up with my wife on my Yamaha and rear brake stopped working, next fear was same would happen to the front) We came out ok, just imagine your loved one on the back of your bike with no rear brake, no place to stop and wondering for what seemed like eternity that the front might give out too
Change your brake fluid every two years, not only that but components will last longer too. Harbor Freight has an AWESOME brake fluid vacuum that actually makes the process fun and can be done alone.
$25 it well worth it.
https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-bleeder-and-vacuum-pump-kit-63391.html

 

[Urshurak776]

I used the Supertech in my old Sportster for years. It's fine. Changed every two years. I got the bike when it was 9 years old and I'm pretty positive had original brake fluid in it.....

 

[Jetronic]

I'd get Low Viscosity stuff, just so it can be used in anything and everything, and might make ABS/ESP more responsive.

 

[kschachn]

A somewhat similar discussion:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/dot-3-in-a-honda.381347/

 

[tnt_motorsports]

My last purchase was FVP from Menards. I usually buy the Valvoline, but the FVP was cheaper.

Just my $0.02

 

[BusyLittleShop]

Understanding Brake fluid

Glycol based brake fluids...
DOT 3
DOT 4
DOT 5.1

Silicone based brake fluids...
DOT 5

WARNING: Dot 5.1 glycol (yellow) and Dot 5 silicone (purple) will not mix.

Glycol based fluids are designed to signal moisture contamination by
changing color... the fluid will start to turn golden, then light
brown, then dark brown indicating that it has absorbed progressively
more moisture. Eventually, if left unchanged beyond the recommended
service interval, the fluid will become dark and yukky, indicating
high amounts of water absorption and thus badly contaminated fluid...

User friendly Glycol based fluids also reduce the effect of both
corrosion and compressibility because it is not only designed to
accept significant amounts of moisture, but even to neutralize it by
dispersing this moisture evenly throughout the system, thus preventing
its concentration in any one area..

Glycol based fluids

(NOTE) DOT 5 Silicone based fluid will not turn color to signal
moisture content...

Glycol dry boiling point versus Glycol wet boiling point 3% moisture...

DOT 3 205 °C (401 °F)...............140 °C (284 °F)
DOT 4 230 °C (446 °F)...............155 °C (311 °F)
DOT 5.1 260 °C (500 °F)............180 °C (356 °F)

Silicone dry boiling point versus Silicone wet boiling point 3% moisture...
DOT 5.1 270 °C (518 °F)..............190 °C (374 °F)

If you wish to use the latest in Glycol base fluids then its DOT 5.1

Note: DOT 5 silicone was created at the request of the military for
use in vehicles that are required to be parked for years at a time and
be ready for deployment. Harley-Davidson used DOT 5 until a decade ago
because it would not negatively affect paint but currently specifies
DOT 4 or 5.1

WARNING: Dot 5.1 glycol (yellow) and Dot 5 silicone (purple) will not mix.

TRACK
As a rule always install fresh brake fluid before a race or track day because you may
boil the tiny percent of moisture in brake fluid and end up with no brakes... I speak
from experience on the RC45...

 

[alarmguy]

Glycol based fluids

(NOTE) DOT 5 Silicone based fluid will not turn color to signal
moisture content...

The reason silicon based brake fluid will not turn color to signal moisture content is because silicon brake fluid does not absorb moisture.
Some people might think that is a good thing, but that is flawed thinking as because it does not absorb moisture water will accumulate in the brake system.

So Glycol based fluids actually perform an important function, since they absorb moisture, they hold that moisture until the brake fluid is flushed from the system and replaced with new fluid. Meaning it keeps the system dry.

That isn’t necessarily so with silicon based brake fluid, since it doesn’t absorb moisture, actual moisture and possibly water is possibly left in the brake system when the fluid is changed. But the key is even before it was changed. It’s possible moisture has pooled in certain areas of the brake system.