What is the forum recommendation for a Toyota Highlander 2015 that is non-silicone based?
Recommend synthetic brake fluid
- Thread starter Patrick0525
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Any off the shelf DOT3 fluid will work for regular driving conditions. All brake fluid is synthetic and compatible with hydraulic brake systems which is why there is no "good" or "recommended" brake fluid. Unless you want get into boutique brake fluids such as ATE, Pentosin, Brembo, etc.
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There are other brake fluids which have higher specs for wet and dry boiling point. Valvoline dot 3 & 4 is usually the cheapest, but they just meet minimum specs for dot 4. There are other dot 4 fluids out there that have way higher numbers. But it could be meaningless if you're not hard on the brakes. Just grab any Dot 4 fluid and check the numbers.
Is synthetic brake fluid less hygroscopic than standard?
depends on what your goals are.
If your goal is just regular driving you should bias your towards a dot3 fluid which has a longer lifespan.
Choosing a dot4 that has higher performance specs especially those for racing may trade off longevity.
If your goal is just regular driving you should bias your towards a dot3 fluid which has a longer lifespan.
Choosing a dot4 that has higher performance specs especially those for racing may trade off longevity.
Isn't all brake fluid synthetic?
Some auto makers are specifying a low viscosity brake fluid like DOT 4 LV such as in some modern Fords, Lincolns, VW's, Audi's... .
The LV brake fluid operates better in such vehicles during very cold weather for stability and traction control.
The LV brake fluid operates better in such vehicles during very cold weather for stability and traction control.
Bosch ESI6
Wagner Severe Duty
Ravenol DOT 5.1
Pentosin DOT 4 LV
ATE SL6
Castrol DOT 4 (formerly called LMA)
But don't worry! Even if you don't want to spend that much on brake fluid, you don't have to. Even the cheap DOT 3 or 4 at Walmart will be just fine, as long as you change it regularly. Valvoline DOT 3/4 is also a good product and often on sale at a good price.
Regular fluid changes are much more important than what fluid you use.
Wagner Severe Duty
Ravenol DOT 5.1
Pentosin DOT 4 LV
ATE SL6
Castrol DOT 4 (formerly called LMA)
But don't worry! Even if you don't want to spend that much on brake fluid, you don't have to. Even the cheap DOT 3 or 4 at Walmart will be just fine, as long as you change it regularly. Valvoline DOT 3/4 is also a good product and often on sale at a good price.
Regular fluid changes are much more important than what fluid you use.
Stupertech DOT 4. Just used it to flush my system. Brakes feel wonderful.
Originally Posted By: Propflux01
Stupertech DOT 4. Just used it to flush my system. Brakes feel wonderful.
You mean Supertech Dot 4? Looks like Walmart comes through again. Must be new, haven't really heard of it til now. That's a pretty good price for a quart of Dot 4, $5.74. I wish the web site listed the wet and dry boiling points.
Stupertech DOT 4. Just used it to flush my system. Brakes feel wonderful.
You mean Supertech Dot 4? Looks like Walmart comes through again. Must be new, haven't really heard of it til now. That's a pretty good price for a quart of Dot 4, $5.74. I wish the web site listed the wet and dry boiling points.
Originally Posted By: raytseng
depends on what your goals are.
If your goal is just regular driving you should bias your towards a dot3 fluid which has a longer lifespan.
Choosing a dot4 that has higher performance specs especially those for racing may trade off longevity.
This. ^^^^^
Scott
depends on what your goals are.
If your goal is just regular driving you should bias your towards a dot3 fluid which has a longer lifespan.
Choosing a dot4 that has higher performance specs especially those for racing may trade off longevity.
This. ^^^^^
Scott
You can go with DOT 5.1, Ravenol was very reasonably priced on Amazon when I bought it, went to 5.1 on 3 cars, all good.
Originally Posted By: JLawrence08648
Is synthetic brake fluid less hygroscopic than standard?
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Isn't all brake fluid synthetic?
Yes, all brake fluid that we're concerned with is a synthetic and has been since I can remember but, I really don't know its whole history. This will help:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fluid
Is synthetic brake fluid less hygroscopic than standard?
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Isn't all brake fluid synthetic?
Yes, all brake fluid that we're concerned with is a synthetic and has been since I can remember but, I really don't know its whole history. This will help:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fluid
Originally Posted By: Propflux01
Stupertech DOT 4. Just used it to flush my system. Brakes feel wonderful.
Yup, saw this at Walmart the other day and used it to bleed the brakes in my mom's SUV.
Feels much better than the 10 year old DOT 3 that come in it.
I have debated going with DOT 5.1 on my motorcycle on my next flush.
No idea what was in it, or how old it was, when I got it, but the Advance Auto DOT 4 gives better brake feel, and the clutch feels better also.
Stupertech DOT 4. Just used it to flush my system. Brakes feel wonderful.
Yup, saw this at Walmart the other day and used it to bleed the brakes in my mom's SUV.
Feels much better than the 10 year old DOT 3 that come in it.
I have debated going with DOT 5.1 on my motorcycle on my next flush.
No idea what was in it, or how old it was, when I got it, but the Advance Auto DOT 4 gives better brake feel, and the clutch feels better also.
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Supertech Dot 4? Looks like Walmart comes through again. Must be new, haven't really heard of it til now. That's a pretty good price for a quart of Dot 4, $5.74. I wish the web site listed the wet and dry boiling points.
The boiling points are probably the minimum for DOT 4:
446 dry
311 wet
Supertech Dot 4? Looks like Walmart comes through again. Must be new, haven't really heard of it til now. That's a pretty good price for a quart of Dot 4, $5.74. I wish the web site listed the wet and dry boiling points.
The boiling points are probably the minimum for DOT 4:
446 dry
311 wet
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