Changing brake fluid

[Octopus]

Hi all.

 

Im thinking of flushing my old brake fluid.

 

Presently using Dot 3. Is it ok to change to Dot 4 or 5?

 

Wil it cause any problems?

 

Thanks.

 

Glycol base brake fluid are Dot 3, Dot 4 and Dot 5.1

Glycol base brake fluid are hydroscopic, so need to flush after certain period.

 

Silicone base brake fluid are Dot 5

 

Why don't you do brake fluid flush at Stamford Tyre? They have the vacuum machine to do it, I think costs $30 or $40 for labour + Caltex brake fluid.

 

 

[Pisces69]

Glycol base brake fluid are Dot 3, Dot 4 and Dot 5.1

Glycol base brake fluid are hydroscopic, so need to flush after certain period.

 

Silicone base brake fluid are Dot 5

 

Why don't you do brake fluid flush at Stamford Tyre? They have the vacuum machine to do it, I think costs $30 or $40 for labour + Caltex brake fluid.

 

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Last time my old Corona I did a flush using Lockheed Dot 5.

 

It worked very well for the >1 year I used it.

 

Anybody tried b4 & got lobang where to buy & the price? Or an alternative good quality brake fluid?

 

Otherwise I wil just use back the original fluid I can get from the Chevy stockist. Most prob its Dot 3.

 

I dont quite like going to Stamford. Some of their workers really CMI & their oils etc I dont really trust.

 

I did a ATF flush there long ago & they used some unknown brand of ATF & a short while later my autobox started to give me trouble.

[Pisces69]

I got it done recently. Dot 4 is good enough. One bottle cost around $10 or less depending on brand.

 

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Can tell what brand u used (Dot 4) & where u buy?

 

Thanks.

[Pisces69]

you are right beehive

use dot4 is fine, not 5

 

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Dot 5 is not necessary or it wil cause problems?

 

[Fitzy]

You got lobang for ATE Super Blue?

 

Me looking high and low.

 

i got it at alexandra v, auto united.

Dont know if stll available cuz bought it last year.

Edited June 29, 2010 by Fitzy

[Yuan]

i got it at alexandra v, auto united.

Dont know if stll available cuz bought it last year.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

I will go and check it out.

[Yuan]

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Dot 5 is not necessary or it wil cause problems?

 

Not necessary for daily street driving.

[Pisces69]

Not necessary for daily street driving.

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So still can use if I can get it.

 

I dont mind paying a little extra for it cos just in case I go Genting or Cameron again, at least my brake fluid wont let me down.

 

Too much boiling wil cause moisture to accumulate in the fluid & that wil cause corrosion in the long term.

 

[Torquemonster]

but my car's brakes fluid container cover says "use only dot 3 brake fluid". can i use dot 4 fluid also?

Edited June 29, 2010 by Torquemonster

[Limiter]

Brake fluid is not for better braking. Dun expect it to stop your car faster. Upgrade to bbk if u want strong braking.

[Pisces69]

but my car's brakes fluid container over says "use only dot 3 brake fluid". can i use dot 4 fluid also?

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Based on what I read here, it sud b OK cos the bigger number means better with higher boiling point.

 

Just like engine oil u can use API SJ but SM is even better.

[Beehive3783]

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Dot 5 is not necessary or it wil cause problems?

DOT5 will cause problems if your car's braking system is not designed to take DOT5. Don't risk it! Either DOT3 or DOT4 will do.

[Beehive3783]

but my car's brakes fluid container cover says "use only dot 3 brake fluid". can i use dot 4 fluid also?

DOT4 is compatible with DOT3. But DOT5 is NOT compatible with DOT3 and DOT4.

 

DO NOT use DOT5 for braking systems that are designed to take DOT3 or DOT4.

 

You can use DOT5.1, but NOT DOT5.

[Yeobh]

No point trying to change to another grade as the OEM brake seals may not be suitable for the upgraded fluid.

[Yuan]

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Based on what I read here, it sud b OK cos the bigger number means better with higher boiling point.

 

Just like engine oil u can use API SJ but SM is even better.

 

Acherly, bro Limiter is correct. Brake fluid will not improve your braking distance or performance. Change of brake fluid annually is to remove the moisture from the fluid due to our common start stop traffic conditions in Singapore.

 

It is your tires and brake pads that stop your car. Invest in those.

Edited June 30, 2010 by Yuan

[Yuan]

DOT5 will cause problems if your car's braking system is not designed to take DOT5. Don't risk it! Either DOT3 or DOT4 will do.

 

I am aware that not many cars are using DOT 5 brake fluid.

 

The acceptable range are DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1.

 

Correct me if I am wrong.

[Yeobh]

Need to change the fuild is because this glycol base fluid is Water absorption and corrosion by composition.

[Beehive3783]

I am aware that not many cars are using DOT 5 brake fluid.

 

The acceptable range are DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1.

 

Correct me if I am wrong.

No, you are not wrong.

 

Bro Octopus already posted on the difference between DOT5 and the rest.

 

Glycol base brake fluid are Dot 3, Dot 4 and Dot 5.1

Glycol base brake fluid are hydroscopic, so need to flush after certain period.

 

Silicone base brake fluid are Dot 5