What is good DOT3 brake fluid?

[djmc]

I have to bleed the brake system on a Ford Escape '03 and was looking for available DOT3 fluids, but there is a big price difference for a 32oz bottle between the different brands. Like Supertech DOT3 less than $3, Prestone DOT3 $3-$4, and Valvoline Synpower DOT3/4 almost $7. Is there a big quality difference between these products?
Does anybody has good or bad experiences with certain brands?

 

[unDummy]

Stick with any DOT4 fluid that mentions DOT3 on the bottle.
If you dig through the specs of all the brands, you'll see that the better more expensive fluids have better wet/dry boiling points......

If you want a good DOT3, use the Ford Motorcraft fluid. Otherwise, use ANY DOT4 brake fluid.

Prestone, Gunk, Valvoline, Castrol have great DOT4 fluids that you can choose.

Brake fluid is something that I'll stick with name brands.

 

[benjamming]

Quote:

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Brake fluid is something that I'll stick with name brands.

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Is this merely for safety reasons or are there other reasons as well? For example, do store brands test out of spec more often, etc.?

 

[unDummy]

Nope, simply because of reputation and for fresh fluid that is stocked and sold regularly at the local autoparts stores. I'll trust the name brand more so then unknown fluid sourced from the local buck-a-bottle store.

If your oil, ATF, or PSF, fails or is blended poorly, you might lose a mechanical component. Rebuild is no biggee. If your braking system fails, you might lose your life.

 

[Big Jim]

I usually use either Valvoline synpower or Castrol LMA. Both are good DOT 4 fluids. The Valvoline has a bit higher boiling points, both dry and wet.

 

[Big Jim]

I forgot to mention I also have an 03 Ford Escape.

 

[Colt45ws]

Valvoline Synpower