Lightest Colored DOT4 Brake Fluid

[The Critic]

This is kind of an idiot question, but I cannot stand new brake fluid that looks dark amber (Honda DOT3 fluid).

So, I am looking for a brand of DOT4 brake fluid that is very light in color (near clear) - and stays clean for a while too.

Someone posted in another thread that the Valvoline DOT3/4 fluid sold everywhere meets this criteria.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Loobed]

Castrol LMA is fairly light in color. It looks something like champagne without the bubbles. Mercedes Dot4+ is also light.

 

[Smoky14]

Prestone

 

[SLCraig]

Valvoline products are always fairly light in color in my experience. Can't go wrong with their stuff either, IMO.

That being said, why not just use whatever fluid you have and change it at dealer or MFR suggested intervals? I know its probably just OCD but I am sure it would be totally fine regardless of color.

 

[scurvy]

Valvoline DOT4 has been the lightest color, most transparent brake fluid I've used with Castrol LMA a close second. The easiest color to see in the reservoir IME has been Ate SL.6 low viscosity DOT4 brake fluid which is a bright, clear yellow.

Not sure why the amber color bothers you, but it's your car.

 

[sw99]

The Prestone synthetic I just bought a WM was almost completely clear. It was cheaper than the SuperTech brand even.

http://prestone.com/enca/node/438

 

[DuckRyder]

ATE Type 200 is light gold...

 

[JOD]

Motorcraft Dot3 has a dry boiling point of 500F (exceeds Dot4), but should degrade less due to moisture than a Dot4 fluid. It seems pretty clear to me, but that's pretty subjective. It's cheap and readily available at any Ford dealer, so that may be worth checking out: LINK

All that said, I think the Honda fluid is really good, and you're a bit nuts to change it because of the color!

 

[INDYMAC]

Valvoline DOT 3/4 is the clearest that I've tried, especially compared to Honda DOT 3. In fact, I think I'll start alternating between the two fluids so I know when the transfer is complete. Thanks for the post!

 

[mechtech2]

Color used to be standardized.
ATF was red, engine oil amber, anti freeze green, brake fluid very light amber.
This was a good idea - it is not standard now.

Put in the recommended fluid - ABS systems can be picky.
Suck it up and learn to love the color!

 

[sprocketser]

So true mechtech ! Everything seemed so simple back then .

 

[HTSS_TR]

It was so simple then, now you have to buy oil, antifreeze, ATF ... according to individual car manufacture specific list.

 

[tom slick]

Use Ate blue; no worrying if it is just the right shade of amber.

 

[ltslimjim]

lol, wut.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Originally Posted By: JOD
Motorcraft Dot3 has a dry boiling point of 500F (exceeds Dot4), but should degrade less due to moisture than a Dot4 fluid. It seems pretty clear to me, but that's pretty subjective. It's cheap and readily available at any Ford dealer, so that may be worth checking out:


Ford Heavy Duty is a traditional favorite of racers, because of its high dry boiling point...but they change it annually.

Does it degrade less? Let's do the math.

The new version Ford HP has a dry boiling point of 500 deg F and a wet boiling point of 284 F (coincidentally, the DOT 3 spec).

So, as it absorbs moisture, it loses 43% of its temperature capacity.

Let's look at a high performance DOT 4 fluid, rated for a 3 year life, Ate Typ 200 (aka Super Blue in a non-DOT compliant blue version).

It has a dry boiling point of 536 deg, and 388 deg wet.

So it loses roughly 28% of its heat capacity as it ages, and retains a superior rating compared to any DOT 3 spec fluid.

But, not everyone wants to spend ~$15/l on brake fluid, so lets take a look at Castrol LMA, a DOT 3/4 fluid.

509 dry/311 wet -> a delta of ~39%. Still superior to Ford HP by any objective measure except cost.

Moisure contamination affects both DOT 3 and 4 at similar rates, so there's no real difference there.

Which one is lighter colored? Can't help there, except to say that some dislike Super Blue because it may discolor reservoirs.

 

[JustinC]

Valvoline is pretty clear, priced good and also easy to find. I use ATE blue and ATE typ 200, alternating. Which is the only reason the blue is blue.

 

[artificialist]

Valvoline is an excellent choice for this task.

So not buy Pentosin brake fluid, it is an intensely bright yellow.

 

[The Critic]

In hindsight, this was probably a dumb thread, but I did a brake flush today with the Valvoline DOT 3/4 (White bottle) and it was indeed, quite "light" compared to the OE Honda DOT 3 fluid.

The original premise of this thread was that it seemed weird for my "new" brake fluid (Honda fluid) to have the appearance of used fluid, which is what brought the idea for this thread.