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Thread: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    If other ppl have other resources related to this topic, please post. I'll update the first post in this thread.
    Boiling point specs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5.1
    http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...uid/index.html
    http://www.motorspot.com/DOT_5%5B1%5..._8070_(gb).pdf

    Its a document released by Motul. (at least the PDF has the Motul letter head.)
    Notable quotes from the document.
    "Mixable with DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 NON SILICONE BASE products. Do not mix with silicone (DOT 5 silicone base) or mineral base fluids (LHM)."
    "Specially designed to anti-locking brake systems (ABS)"

    Following data provided by Moose (Thanks MajesticBlueNTO for the link):
    Highest to lowest DRY --------Dry / Wet----Amount---List Price in USD

    Project U G4-335---------------671 / 429-----1L--------$50.00
    Neo Super DOT 610-------------610 / 421-----340ml-----$15.00
    MOTUL RBF 600----------------594 / 421-----500ml-----$15.00
    CASTROL SRF------------------590 / 518-----1L--------$70.00
    AP-Super 600------------------590 / 410-----500ml-----$18.00
    Pentosin Racing brake fluid------572 / 393-----1L--------$26.00
    Willlwood 570-------------------570 / 284-----340ml-----$8.00
    PFC Z-Rated-------------------550 / 284-----500ml-----$10.00
    Ford HD------------------------550 / 284-----500ml-----$3.50
    ATE Super Blue / Type 200------536 / 396-----1L--------$12.00
    ELF FreLub 650-----------------536 / 352-----1L--------$10.00
    APE 551------------------------528 / 288-----500ml-----$12.50
    Motul DOT 5.1------------------509 / 365-----500ml-----$6.50
    Valvoline Synpower-------------503 / 343-----500ml-----$5.00
    Castrol LMA (GTLMA)-----------446 / 311-----500ml-----$3.50
    Last edited by Fuman; 06-09-2008 at 11:50 PM.

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    more info in this thread with 'dry' and 'wet' boiling points of various fluids

    if you don't track the car often, the best bang for the buck is indeed the Ford DOT3 brake fluid (found in Canadian Tire branded under Prestone yellow bottle now...will say "DOT3 for FORD Vehicles 550F").

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    shift8 (04-21-2015)

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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    thanks MajesticBlueNTO
    I must of missed it when I searched.

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    Sr Member 3GFX's Avatar
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    I need some help....FAST!

    I'm getting the brakes redone and I'm changing the fluid as well.

    The standard for the Mazda3 is DOT3 brake fluid. But I'd like slightly better performance so I'm thinking DOT4. I ended up going out and buying Prestone Silicone Racing Brake Fluid. Its DOT5 and Silicone 500F dry 365F wet. I'm reading that Silicone is actually not alls its cracked up to be and isn't recommended for ABS vehicles. It also says that it has the potential to wear out parts faster because water that would be absorbed by a DOT 3 or 4 isn't absorbed and thus settles into the parts instead of into the Silicon.

    What should I do? Should I go with a DOT4 thats non-Silicon or was the DOT5 actually a good choice. Someone please let me know!!!!
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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Quote Originally Posted by 3GFX View Post
    I need some help....FAST!

    I'm getting the brakes redone and I'm changing the fluid as well.

    The standard for the Mazda3 is DOT3 brake fluid. But I'd like slightly better performance so I'm thinking DOT4. I ended up going out and buying Prestone Silicone Racing Brake Fluid. Its DOT5 and Silicone 500F dry 365F wet. I'm reading that Silicone is actually not alls its cracked up to be and isn't recommended for ABS vehicles. It also says that it has the potential to wear out parts faster because water that would be absorbed by a DOT 3 or 4 isn't absorbed and thus settles into the parts instead of into the Silicon.

    What should I do? Should I go with a DOT4 thats non-Silicon or was the DOT5 actually a good choice. Someone please let me know!!!!
    http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...uid/index.html

    In short, do not use silicon based fluids.
    Use Dot 5.1 or 4 (non-silicon)
    But honestly, unless you track, just save the money and use Dot 3.
    All the fluid does is increase the ability to tolerance higher temperatures.
    Last edited by Fuman; 04-08-2008 at 03:46 AM. Reason: got some facts wrong, edited post to reflect

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    Sr Member Wild Weasel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Quote Originally Posted by 3GFX View Post
    What should I do? Should I go with a DOT4 thats non-Silicon or was the DOT5 actually a good choice. Someone please let me know!!!!
    DO NOT PUT THAT IN YOUR CAR!!!!!

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    Sr Member 3GFX's Avatar
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Thanks a lot guys. I read a lot of stuff for an against the Silicone on the net so I didn't know what would be the right thing to do. Last time I confer with a Parts Source salesmen. Not that I trusted him in the first place, but I thank (sarcasm) the guy for selling me on the DOT5 lol.

    I'll end up getting some DOT3 or DOT4 and return this DOT5 stuff. Thanks again guys, especially for the quick responses.

  9. #8
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Partsource has the Prestone Synthetic Dot4 on sale for the bigger bottle this week I think. I just used that this weekend on mine. Dot3 to Dot4 you wont notice a diff in everyday driving... but why not use a better fluid?

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    Sr Member 3GFX's Avatar
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Its actually not synthetic that they are selling, but its confirmed that the DOT4 Prestone is on sale at Partsource.

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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Quote Originally Posted by 3GFX View Post
    Its actually not synthetic that they are selling, but its confirmed that the DOT4 Prestone is on sale at Partsource.
    as long it is NOT silicon based, it should be okay.
    (I'm only aware they are two types of basis for brake fluids).

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Ahhh....so synthetic is ok then, just no silicon based. Jimmy just order Castrol LMA synthetic which is on the list above, so I'll go with that.

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    So I ended up going with a brand that's not even on the list but I recognize it as a popular brand in europe and between my options on hand it was the best. I had Castrol GTLMA which is specified above, Prestone DOT5 Silicone, and Elf Frelub 650.

    Here is the data in terms of boiling points in Fahrenheit (I've aslo updated the list in the first post to include Elf :

    The worst choice (in terms of usage not boiling points):
    Preston Silicone Racing Brake Fluid
    DRY: 540F
    WET: 317F

    The Winner for most:
    Castrol GTLMA
    DRY: 446F
    WET: 311F

    What I chose (slightly better than the GTLMA):
    ELF Frelub 650
    DRY: 536F
    WET: 352F

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    here's an old article explaining why brake fluid needs to be changed on a periodic basis and failure to do so can cause problems!
    http://www.brakestrips.net/docs/indu...guidelines.pdf
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    reviving old thread.. but I think my question belongs to this FAQ.

    How much brake fluid do you need if you're doing a brake fluid flush?
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Quote Originally Posted by bunchi View Post
    reviving old thread.. but I think my question belongs to this FAQ.

    How much brake fluid do you need if you're doing a brake fluid flush?
    Any where between 500ml to 1L, so if you buy the 500mL bottle, you should buy 2
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Quote Originally Posted by shu5892001 View Post
    Any where between 500ml to 1L, so if you buy the 500mL bottle, you should buy 2
    thanks... so how's the RBF600? is there really a difference? I don't track my car.

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Quote Originally Posted by bunchi View Post
    thanks... so how's the RBF600? is there really a difference? I don't track my car.
    People say its one of the best brake fluids, it's also not cheap, around 25-30 per bottle. I did a RBF600 flush (used 1.5 bottle) before I went to the track... So I wouldn't know the difference since I never tracked in OEM or lower grade fluids, but I didn't have any problem slowing down at the track, so that means it's good? lol I really don't know

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Quote Originally Posted by bunchi View Post
    thanks... so how's the RBF600? is there really a difference? I don't track my car.
    In other words, for street use I didn't notice any difference lol

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Quote Originally Posted by shu5892001 View Post
    In other words, for street use I didn't notice any difference lol
    thanks... yah i know it's one of the best... and yes NOT cheap at all! i can probably do several brakes flushes with the amount of money I'll pay to do one with the rbf600 lol

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Does anyone know how much brake fluid a MZ3 takes?
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    I have never used more than 500 mL, but I always buy two 500 mL bottles, just in case some gets spilled.
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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    Use the fluid up that you open (if you are flushing), as you should not reuse an open container much more than 2-3 months later as it will take on moisture over time.

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    Default

    Have anyone tried wilwood 570? How does it compare to Ford Fluid and Motul RBF600 for someone who track the car?


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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    http://www.lelandwest.com/brake-flui...ison-chart.cfm
    A website with good comparison information

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    Default Re: Brake fluid questions FAQ.

    hey! I need some advice/help...
    My sister owns a 2013 Mazda3 hatch and she told me that last time she got her $200 maintenance at Atrell Mazda, they told her that her brake fluids are darkening or turning black.. something like that.. I still have yet to take a look but is this a big worry or was the typical dealership brake fluid they put in dark colored?
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