Which brake fluid?

[kikxz]

Time to bump up an old thread


On the Brake fluid cap it says to use a Dot 3 fluid

But after looking online i still can find a definitive answer,

In my 2006 Liberty GT am i able to use a dot 4 Fluid? ive read that its interchangeable etc but as long as you flush it properly then it should be fine.

Can any one confirm this?

[cruisn]

Confirmed.

[SH30RB]

I recently flushed the system and put in Castrol Super Responce Dot 4 brake fluid

[kikxz]

Sweet Thanks heaps guys time to do a flush

[XT_for_me]

Dont forget to do it in the right order!

Passenger rear, drivers rear, passenger front, drivers front.

[bass_straitener]

I recently flushed the system and put in Castrol Super Responce Dot 4 brake fluid

I use this too.

Good quality and does the job.

[kikxz]

Cheers guys furthest distance from the MC

Do you guys think Penrite Sin Brake Fluid might be an overkill?

Its a daily with its usual spirited drive and then hard braking, every once and a while

If it is ill just go with Castrol Response Super Dot 4 it was great in my previous Integra

[mynameisdaniel]

Is there much difference between the better DOT4 fluids and DOT5.1 fluids? Car sees the track and whatever Subaru use boiled on me...

Is changing the fluid something I can learn to do myself from a book or youtube?

[XT_for_me]

With the right tools its a 1 man job and not hard. With basic tools like a piece of hose and a container it's a 2 man job but still simple. I am sure you could find a youtube or 10 on how to do it.

I use elcheapo dot 4 fluid. My logic is that I change it once every 12 to 24 months and because brake fluid is hygroscopic over the first couple of months of use it will absorb enough moisture to lower the boiling point significantly so spending a fortune on "top"quality fluid only give you a benefit for a couple of months. Also I don't track the car.

I think you are generally better off using a cheap dot4 and changing every 2 months than using an expensive brand and changing it every 6 months. If you really want the ultimate of course use the expensive stuff and change it just before your track day so its nice n fresh on the track.

Be careful with Dot5 as it's totally incompatible with Dot4 so a full flush is required if you move to it. Dot5.1 is compatible with Dot4 so a normal replacement flush is fine.

Boiling points for brake fluids are below. Wet is after it has absorbed moisture to 3.7% water by volume.

Dry boiling point Wet boiling point
DOT 3 205 °C (401 °F) 140 °C (284 °F)
DOT 4 230 °C (446 °F) 155 °C (311 °F)
DOT 5 260 °C (500 °F) 180 °C (356 °F)
DOT 5.1 270 °C (518 °F) 190 °C (374 °F)

As you can see, even the Dot5.1 when wet is less effective than Dot3 when dry.

[bass_straitener]

This is the stuff I'm using seems better than the standards put up by Bryce.

Is cheap and I flush and change it yearly.

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_italy/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/t/TDS_RESSDOT4.PDF

[mynameisdaniel]

Awesome, thanks for the info I'll give that stuff a go Bruce, wasn't sure if Mark's post was sarcastic because it was cheap

From what I read people seem to compare prices a lot, so here I am thinking it's expensive to do, not $10 or $30-$40 for the 'expensive' stuff... (is 500mL enough?) I think I'll just do it with my yearly services from now

[bass_straitener]

Last change I used only 1 bottle but have a spare on standby in case of a spill or too generous on the flush.

20% off at Supercheap today.

[kikxz]

Thanks Bryce and Bruce

[Troy]

Advice please
Did a gravity bleed to dot 4
Once done the pedal when to the floor about 3 times but now good and drove well
Should I be concerned?