Which Brake Fluid To Use

To clarify:

I found this description of synthetic based brake fluids. According to the page, all brake fluids are technically "synthetic" in that they are man made and do not contain a petroleum base.

"Synthetic" brake fluid, as we think of it, has a silicon base. Non-synthetic brake fluid (normal brake fluid) is glycol based. There are trade offs to each type. Silicon brake fluid does not absorb water, like glycol based fluid. It does however, absorb air, which makes it somewhat compressible. This gives the brakes a spongy feel to them.

Synthetic brake fluid should not be mixed with glycol based fluids.

 

I have yet to see a bottle of brake fluid that does not have synthetic printed on it, DOT 3 and 4 included.

 

You basically just repeated my 2nd post

 

If you have to go out a buy some, put the right one in. What’s it say in the manual or on the brake cylinder reservoir cap.

 

DOT 3.

So DOT 3 or 4 is what's needed

 

I've yet to see a Reservoir Cap or an Owners Manual declaration that states "Do Not Use Synthetic Dot 3".

"Dot 3" is all I see on the cap or in the manual; no further qualification has been stated.

I've been using Synthetic Dot 3 for quiet sometime as it's about all one sees anymore. My brakes feel as solid as they ever have.

 

Feel free to point out where this ATE brake fluid says "synthetic."





They do sell brake fluid at stores other than Walmart.

 

It doesn’t seem to, but it’s also German and a brand of brake fluid I haven’t seen before (should I point out this is a Toyota forum?).

All of the commonly available brake fluids in America that I’ve seen are advertised as synthetic, including Prestone, Valvoline, Amsoil, Lucas, house brands from Autozone and O’Reilly, etc.

I haven’t been to Walmart in about 10 years, but I did go there quite a bit when I was broke and putting myself through college in mechanical engineering. There’s nothing wrong with buying name brand stuff from Wally World if you’re on a budget and don’t mind the long lines.