Brake fluid questions FAQ.

[Fuman]

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/chassis/brakes/0509sc_fluid/index.html
http://www.motorspot.com/DOT_5%5B1%5D.1_Brake_Fluid_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

[MajesticBlueNTO]

more info in this thread with 'dry' and 'wet' boiling points of various fluids (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=11438)

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").

[Fuman]

thanks MajesticBlueNTO
I must of missed it when I searched.

[3GFX]

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!!!!

[Fuman]

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/chassis/brakes/0509sc_fluid/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.

[Wild Weasel]

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!!!!!

[3GFX]

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.

[midnightfxgt]

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? :)

[3GFX]

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

[Fuman]

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).

[3GFX]

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.

[3GFX]

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

[TheMAN]

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/industry_adopts_brake_fluid_replacement_guidelines .pdf

[bunchi]

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?

[shu5892001]

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

[bunchi]

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.

[shu5892001]

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

[shu5892001]

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

[bunchi]

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

[stevenma188]

Does anyone know how much brake fluid a MZ3 takes?

[Donutz]

I have never used more than 500 mL, but I always buy two 500 mL bottles, just in case some gets spilled.

[tracking]

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.

[gar_lei]

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


Thanks!

[Fuman]

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

[Noobster12]

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?

[S.F.W.]

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?
It's most likely bs dealership trying to sell a service to make money

[Noobster12]

It's most likely bs dealership trying to sell a service to make money

It was what I was thinking..
If it is, is it easy to DIY bleeding the brake fluid?

[Flagrum_3]

It was what I was thinking..
If it is, is it easy to DIY bleeding the brake fluid?

Word of advice; Do NOT even contemplate touching it, do not even take the cap off! There is a better chance you will contaminate the system if you do, just leave it alone...Especially if you have no clue what your doing...Or for peace of mind have the fluid 'properly' tested by a technician to be sure.

The dealer was in all probability trying to upsell. Two or 3 year old vehicles should never have an issue with the brake fluid, unless there is a 'break' in the system, which IF the fluid was actually dirty, the dealer should have taken the precaution and inspected the full system as a consideration of safety to the client.

Unless one tracks their car, or has changed out their calipers or lines for some reason or left the cap off the reservoir for an extended period, brake fluid should not need changing for many years. I'm nearing 9.5 years on the original fluid, tested it just this past spring, still clean and less then 1% water contamination.

_3

[maxlau0303]

its recommanded to bleed your brake once a year

[c_del]

its recommanded to bleed your brake once a year


I'm genuinely curious about this, by whom is it recommended? I have not generally heard this to be true...

[dentinger]

I flush the fluid on my truck every 40k.

Your flex hoses/piston seals will e eventually absorb moisture, and the fluid the stays in the calipers gets heated/cooled frequently.

Anyways, what happens, is the moisture reacts with the copper in the brake lines, turning the fluid brown, then green, and then eventually dark green/black.

Take a look at your fluid, I normally only flush it if it's turning green, and I normally only recommend brake flushes when I'm doing brake work. Check your owners manual, and see when it's recommend to flush your fluid.

[Fuman]

i can't update the original post anymore. I found this link that has the comparison for a much wider range of products
https://www.lelandwest.com/brake-fluid-comparison-chart.cfm

[HellIan33]

Word of advice; Do NOT even contemplate touching it, do not even take the cap off! There is a better chance you will contaminate the system if you do, just leave it alone...Especially if you have no clue what your doing...Or for peace of mind have the fluid 'properly' tested by a technician to be sure.

The dealer was in all probability trying to upsell. Two or 3 year old vehicles should never have an issue with the brake fluid, unless there is a 'break' in the system, which IF the fluid was actually dirty, the dealer should have taken the precaution and inspected the full system as a consideration of safety to the client.

Unless one tracks their car, or has changed out their calipers or lines for some reason or left the cap off the reservoir for an extended period, brake fluid should not need changing for many years. I'm nearing 9.5 years on the original fluid, tested it just this past spring, still clean and less then 1% water contamination.

_3

perfect advise!

[Frank the Tank]

im looking at the list of recommended fluids and they arent sold at partsource or canadian tire.

where do you guys order your fluids and where can i find these?

[G ~ MINI]

im looking at the list of recommended fluids and they arent sold at partsource or canadian tire.

where do you guys order your fluids and where can i find these?

I usually look for a deal here ---> https://germanparts.ca/ they are local (toronto) and carry Liqui Moly, Motul and other euro brands.
Also have a look at Garage 16 website ---> http://www.garage16.ca/

If you are in Scarborough 416-901-7379 1180 KENNEDY RD or https://getyourpartsca.business.site/ (also on Kennedy)

[Frank the Tank]

I usually look for a deal here ---> https://germanparts.ca/ they are local (toronto) and carry Liqui Moly, Motul and other euro brands.
Also have a look at Garage 16 website ---> http://www.garage16.ca/

If you are in Scarborough 416-901-7379 1180 KENNEDY RD or https://getyourpartsca.business.site/ (also on Kennedy)

thanks for the help!

[Frank the Tank]

thanks for the help