Which Brake Fluid To Use

I have an '07 DC V6 with almost 60K on it, and want to flush my old brake fluid. Which break fluid have you used and found satisfactory?

Before I get the usual "use the search feature" I did do that, and did not find any recommendations.

 

Use the brake fluid type recommended in the manual or on the lid of the master cylinder reservoir...use only that, none other. I'm not sure what it is (DOT3, DOT4) but use nothing else or you'll die.

Seriously.

Not joking.

Well, maybe a little. But still use only the same type.

 

X2

 

This is blue so you know when the old fluid is gone and the new is in. Then the next time you use amber and you know when the blue is gone and on and on. http://www.raceshopper.com/ate_brake_fluid.shtml

 

The lid says DOT3 IIRC. I put in DOT4. I'm still alive.

 

If I recall correctly dot 4 is the same as dot3 but has a higher boiling point. Dot 5 is completely different and you will destroy your brake system using it in a system that takes dot3 or 4.

 

^^
I've been using this stuff for the last 20k miles, so far so good. DOT 4 can be used in DOT 3 systems. Like someone else said DOT 5 should not be used unless you really want problems.

 

Correct! DOT5 is silicon based and is not compatible with anything but DOT5 specific brake systems. The advantage is DOT5 is not hygroscopic. The most common use I've come across is in older HD motorcycles.

DOT 5.1 is compatible with DOT3/4 and has a higher boiling point than either. It usually marketed as a race spec/quality fluid.

 

ATE blue?? funny.

i use it in my track car. hated it. first it dyes everything blue. the reservoir plastic will be blue. second ATE is a great track fluid..from what i understand, it isnt a long term brake fluid. it resist heat better than regular stuff, but what it gives up to do it..is it's resistance to absorbing water..i use MOTUL 600 now in the track car, it is clear. but like the blue stuff (or gold ATE) i change it out every other track day.

for my tacoma, i'll use some quality stuff from toyota..it is designed to stay for a long time.

 

That's interesting. Some old posts said it was great stuff and a good way to tell when you have your old fluid out. I'll try and locate the old post if I have time.

 

What do you guys think about this fluid

 

I think it's probably expensive when you can get this at Walmart.

 

I've seen that for years, but refuse to put any Dot3 or Dot 4 brake fluid into my trucks that has "synthetic" on the label.

 

I use Prestone DOT 3, never had any problems even when towing at 200k miles. It’s synthetic, just like all decent brake fluids are.

Old brake fluid usually has a darker color to it, you’ll know when it’s all flushed out.

 

I use Toyota DOT 3
Here's some 5.1:

$12 Motul Brake fluid, DOT 5.1 (N-S) - 500ml

https://www.amazon.com/Motul-Brake-fluid-DOT-5-1/dp/B00CMZQMKS

 

Do you have ABS?

If so, then changing brake fluid is more complex to bleed. Probably best to have a certified shop do the bleed.

Definitely, read the manual. Do not mix.


BTW, break and brake are not the same.

 

Aren’t they all synthetic? Even house brands usually say synthetic, and Prestone says synthetic which is one of the biggest and most trusted brands for brake fluid.

 

You do realize that all brake fluid is synthetic, right?

 

If he’s just flushing and not draining (doesn’t let it get low enough to get air in the lines) then this is a non-issue. FWIW, the FSM doesn’t specify a complex bleed procedure for all ABS systems, it’s really VSC (but also some ABS systems) that requires a computer to cycle the solenoids to get the air out. The FSM doesn’t specify any special procedures for my 2005 with ABS but no VSC.

 

Just to clarify a few things:

All brake fluid is synthetic.

The difference between DOT 3 and DOT 4 is 4 has a higher boiling point.

It's perfectly fine to put DOT 4 in a system calling for DOT 3. Valvoline DOT 3/4 is actually DOT 4. That's why it's marketed that way.

Generally speaking, it's not recommended that you put DOT 3 in a system calling DOT 4. It won't hurt anything if you do. But you will be lowering the boiling point of the fluid, which could lead to brake fade if the fluid gets hot enough.

Do not use anything other than DOT 5 in a system calling for it. And never use DOT 5 in a system calling for DOT 3/4. DOT 5 is a different type of fluid and can cause damage to the internals of non 5 rated systems.