What Do You Guys Think About Ford Brake Fluid....

[Idrinkmotoroil]

Hi, I want to upgrade my brake fluid to one that has a higher boiling point for my 2002 Honda Civic SiR , which I will track a couple times this summer.

I came across the Ford Brake fluid, and it has a pretty high boiling point of 550 degrees (dry), which is much higher than most other over the counter fluids. This is a DOT 3 fluid as well, and my owners manual recommends using DOT 3 primarily, even over Dot 4. I know there are much more expensive and exotic fluids out there with even higher boiling points, but for the relatively low cost I think the Ford Fluid sounds pretty decent. I am unsure of the wet boiling number on this fluid, but I assume it is pretty decent as well. Any opinions on this fluid from anyone ?

thanks

Joey

 

[widman]

from what I've seen the boiling points on a lot of fluids are what the marketing people think they can put on the label. There are very few plants in the U.S. that make brake fluid, and I don't know of any special formulations like on oils. I was in a plant in Houston about 4 years ago that they had one huge tank from which they filled over 90 brands that were on their shelves. Here in Bolivia, The Ford dealers buy from me.

 

[Idrinkmotoroil]

Widman, what fluid do you sell the Ford dealer ?.

I came across the link after I posted , it lists a bunch of different fluids with their respective wet and dry BP's. Seems like the Ford fluid starts out good, but rapidly decreases as it attracts moisture.
I'd like to know where to find that Castrol brake fluid, looks to be quite good. I never see it sold around these parts.

http://www57.pair.com/lane/bfluid.htm

 

[mdv]

For the money, Ford HD seems to offer the best bang for the buck. It's wet boiling point is listed at 290F, relatively low compared to the other "high performance" fluids so it will need to be changed more often, especially if you're going to be on the track.

Personally, I use ATE Super Blue and have yet to boil that on the track in a pretty underbraked car on a tight course. It gets changed every 6 months to make sure it's up to the task.

 

[cousincletus]

I've had good luck with the cheap stuff. I think brake fluid is pretty much the same

 

[mdv]

quote:

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Originally posted by cousincletus:
I've had good luck with the cheap stuff. I think brake fluid is pretty much the same

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Not if you drive very aggresively or run the car on a track it's not.

 

[Ken2]

quote:

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Originally posted by mdv:

quote:

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Originally posted by cousincletus:
I've had good luck with the cheap stuff. I think brake fluid is pretty much the same

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Not if you drive very aggresively or run the car on a track it's not.

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Nor if you tow, or live in a very humid climate.

Ken

 

[OneQuartLow]

...or mix incompatible types, or use the wrong type with natural seals... Cousincletus, please be careful if you work on vehicles.

David

 

[mph]

quote:

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Originally posted by Idrinkmotoroil:
This is a DOT 3 fluid as well, and my owners manual recommends using DOT 3 primarily, even over Dot 4.

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I'll go out on a limb and guess that they say that because Honda's own fluid is DOT3, not DOT4. I've never heard of any reason to prefer DOT3 to DOT4.

(I use Valvoline Synpower, which has pretty good boiling points and is $5 for the big container at Pep Boys.)

 

[ssmokn]

I'll second the vote for ATE brake fluid. I use the Super Blue and the Amber. I will fill with one and then next time I flush I use the other. Same fluid - different color. Makes it easy to flush since you can see when the new fluid is coming out.

 

[Rat407]

quote:

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Originally posted by ssmokn:
I'll second the vote for ATE brake fluid. I use the Super Blue and the Amber. I will fill with one and then next time I flush I use the other. Same fluid - different color. Makes it easy to flush since you can see when the new fluid is coming out.

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Same here. The stuff is not that expensive, at least I don't think so, and when it comes to brakes that is one area I don't care what it cost. If you mess up the system, it is a big problem. You only live once and so do those around you that you drive along side.