Brake fluid?

[Kooldino]

Replacing my front rotors and pads. And of course I gotta to the fluid as well. What's the best stuff to use?

 

[mazdadan]

Any DOT3 or DOT4 fluid will work just fine. Brand doesn't really matter. I usually just get the big jug at Advance Auto Parts or Pep Boys. Biggest thing is to make sure they are bled properly.

A note of warning. If you want to use a DOT5 silicone brake fluid, you MUST flush all brake lines with denatured alcohol because this fluid is not compatible with DOT3 and 4.

 

[Rider69]

I am going to use Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Brake Fluid. Compatible with Dot3 and Dot4 and ABS systems too.

 

[CRDMS1]

Motul is typically the 'experts' choice for brake fluid but it is ultra-expensive and I have no personal experience...yet

 

[LinuxRacr]

Got to your nearest motorbike shop and pick up some Motul RBF 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid. That's what I have in my system, and man does the clutch and brake pedals feel noticably stiffer. I bought 2 bottles. Close to $10 a bottle.

 

[Kooldino]

I've heard we can put DOT 4 in our cars, but then I've also heard not to for some reason. Anyone know any reason NOT to use DOT 4?

Also, what's the advantage of DOT 4?

 

[JunkPunch]

DOT 4 has a higher boiling point than DOT 3.

I've always used ATE Super Blue (DOT 4) in my Audis. Excellent, but expensive.

 

[TheMAN]

umm, brand DOES matter

just because every bottle you see at the store says "DOT3", doesn't mean they're all the same

look at the boiling point specs

you buy some cheap piece of s*** "COASTAL" brake fluid, I guarantee your brakes will fade like nothing at the track

there isn't a lot of brake fluid that have super high boiling points for PERFORMANCE applications, so it's narrowed down to valvoline, ford, motul, and a few others

Any DOT3 or DOT4 fluid will work just fine. Brand doesn't really matter. I usually just get the big jug at Advance Auto Parts or Pep Boys. Biggest thing is to make sure they are bled properly.

A note of warning. If you want to use a DOT5 silicone brake fluid, you MUST flush all brake lines with denatured alcohol because this fluid is not compatible with DOT3 and 4.

 

[mazdadan]

umm, brand DOES matter

just because every bottle you see at the store says "DOT3", doesn't mean they're all the same

look at the boiling point specs

you buy some cheap piece of s*** "COASTAL" brake fluid, I guarantee your brakes will fade like nothing at the track

there isn't a lot of brake fluid that have super high boiling points for PERFORMANCE applications, so it's narrowed down to valvoline, ford, motul, and a few others

True, but as long as you have good quality braking components fade should not really be an issue. With numerous trips to the track in my second gen RX7, the 4 piston calipers showed no signs of fading even with the most inexpensive fluid. Even the protege has excellent brakes. I can't think of too many times where fading was even an issue. The fact of the matter is that if you are bleeding the brakes on a regular basis they are going to perform very well. As most people know, brake fluid attracts moisture which kills braking performance. If given the choice, i'd much rather drive a vehicle with the store brand fluid that has been changed yearly than drive a vehicle with expensive fluid that has been in it for 100K miles. And as long as you aren't one of those idiots who rides the brakes all day long, you should be fine.