Synthetic Brake Fluid?

[Hum]

Does anybody know if there is a big advantage to switching to synthetic or does it not make that much of a difference?

if so, which is the best brand to go with?

[3GFX]

I'm bringing this up again....I just bought Preston Synthetic Racing Synthetic Brake fluid. Wondering if I made the right choice.

[Fobio]

There was an "readers' question" in Road and Track about the different types of brake fluid. My recollection is hazy at best, but I think they said that silicone base brake fluid have a longer lasting life but lower boiling point, which makes it great for road use, but terrible for track use (ie. racing)...but I don't think a lap day can be considered "racing" by any means...

[doughboyr6]

i got ate super blue. have yet to put it in though.

i'm trying to get some pricing on installing my rotors/pads/lines/brake fluid flush...

I called rowetech and was quoted over $200. Is that normal?

I'm trying to call some other dealerships right now to see if I can get it done for cheaper....

[3GFX]

Jimmy is quoteing less than that. I've scheduled pads, rotors and springs for tomorrow :D

[igzy]

One of the main differences between the synthetic and conventional is in the boiling point and resistance to heat. Synthetic has 10-20% higher boiling point. Good in conditions where brakes are used frequently (stop-&-go traffic or on the track). Other one is slightly better resistance to absorbing moisture...

[Fuman]

There was an "readers' question" in Road and Track about the different types of brake fluid. My recollection is hazy at best, but I think they said that silicone base brake fluid have a longer lasting life but lower boiling point, which makes it great for road use, but terrible for track use (ie. racing)...but I don't think a lap day can be considered "racing" by any means...
Silicon fluid do NOT last, they don't absorb water but water will be in the brake lines. Since silicon does not absorb water, if there are water in the lines it may freeze. Dot 5.1 is non-silicon and is good for road and track. Not to mention, silicon fluids is not likely to work with ABS systems.

This link is in the Brake fluid FAQ sticky. Other sources have also told me the same thing.
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/chassis/brakes/0509sc_fluid/index.html
"It's pretty much incompatible with anti-lock brakes because the silicone fluids tend to be more viscous, which can cause problems with the timing of the pulses that are intended to work with the thinner glycol-base fluid. This sometimes leads to damage of the ABS valving. The rapid pulsing necessary to anti-lock functions tend to cavitate the fluid, as the tiny bubbles collapse and coalesce into larger ones, and then collapse and reform into smaller ones. This tends to counteract the ABS effect and can diminish the actual effective braking. This condition also heats the fluid and can lead to even more sponginess and possible damage to the ABS controller. Thirdly, silicone brake fluid tends to foam when expressed from a small orifice under pressure, reducing its hydraulic effectiveness greatly."

Honestly, it is a lot easy to judge brake fluid based on their DOT specifications. As long as they meet the specifications of your requirement, shouldn't matter if they are synthetic.

[Flagrum_3]

Silicon fluid do NOT last, they don't absorb water but water will be in the brake lines. Since silicon does not absorb water, if there are water in the lines it may freeze. Dot 5.1 is non-silicon and is good for road and track. Not to mention, silicon fluids is not likely to work with ABS systems.


I don't know about it freezing, but it sure will allow for premature corrosion of the brake system....Maybe its just me but I see no reason (except serious racing) to venture away from conventional Dot 3 fluid.


_3


.

[igzy]

I don't know about it freezing, but it sure will allow for premature corrosion of the brake system....Maybe its just me but I see no reason (except serious racing) to venture away from conventional Dot 3 fluid.


_3


.

:agree Unless your fluid is very old, you open the cap often or you track it, there is no need for synthetic. A few of my friends track their cars and I've seen their fluid boil so for that application it is highly recommended and higher dot as well. I use it on our cars as the cost is just slightly above conventional so not a big deal over 3-4 year change intervals...

[Fuman]

I don't know about it freezing, but it sure will allow for premature corrosion of the brake system....Maybe its just me but I see no reason (except serious racing) to venture away from conventional Dot 3 fluid.


_3


.
my thinking was since water is not absorbed, it is on its own in the brake lines. In winter temperatures, shouldn't it freeze?

[3GFX]

Ok so silicon is bad, period.


What I read up on this forum as well as many other sites and sources is that YES it has a higher boiling point and YES is able to withstand freezing better.

BUT!

Its worse for ABS systems as stated above. Also, it can damage other parts such as lines and the rest of the system due to incompatitble materials.

ALSO

Since it doesn't absorb water the water settles to the lowest point in the system causing premature corrosion.