DOT 4 or 5?

[fuzion]

Going to bleed my brakes shortly, called my dad and asked him whats the best to use.. he said DOT 5.. nothing else.. I've heard that because it's silicone based it's a PITA and isn't good for street/spirited driving. (used for track only?)

Sooo.... which one should I use?

[SPL Parts]

I suggest ATE Superblue brake fluid, it's a DOT 4 fluid but has far superior performance to your normal off the shelf stuff.

DOT 5 is not suggested as it is silicon based and will eat the seals in your braking system.

We have the ATE fluid in stock and can have it out to you on monday, price is $16 shipped for a 1 liter can. It's blue so it's very easy to notice when you've bled out all the old fluid.

[Fenvy]

you will neve rbe able to bleed the air bubble out on the dot 5 hahahaa

[BuudWeizErr]

There is a difference between DOT5 and DOT5.1. DOT5 is silicone based. Get DOT5.1 or something well known as a good brake fluid. Like ATE Super Blue from SPL Parts. The cool thing about ATE is that the fluid comes in blue and gold so that when you bleed the old fluid from the system, you can see when the new fluid is coming through.

http://www.splparts.com/Parts/...c.htm

PDM Racing also sells DOT5.1 Motul fluid, and it's what I use. Well, at least until it comes time to bleed it, then I'm switching to ATE. I have talked to some Willow Springs Road Racers (Sentras/240's) and they love ATE, so I'm going to give it a try.

[SPL Parts]

There is a difference between DOT5 and DOT5.1. DOT5 is silicone based. Get DOT5.1 or something well known as a good brake fluid. Like ATE Super Blue from SPL Parts. The cool thing about ATE is that the fluid comes in blue and gold so that when you bleed the old fluid from the system, you can see when the new fluid is coming through.

http://www.splparts.com/Parts/...c.htm

PDM Racing also sells DOT5.1 Motul fluid, and it's what I use. Well, at least until it comes time to bleed it, then I'm switching to ATE. I have talked to some Willow Springs Road Racers (Sentras/240's) and they love ATE, so I'm going to give it a try.

DOT 5.1 is ment for ABS systems and is a good all around fluid, however I still prefere the ATE Superblue personally.

[BuudWeizErr]

Do you guys sell both the blue and gold colored fluid? I change my fluid usually once a month or after a track event. I just bought a lot of the Motul, so I need to finish it up. I still have a couple more bottles, but I will buy some when they are empty.

[SPL Parts]

Do you guys sell both the blue and gold colored fluid? I change my fluid usually once a month or after a track event. I just bought a lot of the Motul, so I need to finish it up. I still have a couple more bottles, but I will buy some when they are empty.

We have in stock the blue stuff, usually we get customers that have old fluid and need the upgrade. We can order in the gold stuff if you need us to.

[fuzion]

I'm going to buy one of the pressure bleeder setups so 5 should be easy to get through the system...

[kim]

I agree with SPL parts, I also own an M3 and I used ATE Super Blue this for autocross and it's good I've also heard alot of other people give good comments about it too. I also put this in to my S13, don't use Dot 5! A large majority of Real sports car shop have this always in stock. Price is usually about $10 per quart.

[180fan]

ATE is the good stuff. Been using it in my car for the time I've had it. I've tried the motul stuff, but it soaks up water like a sponge so switched back to the super blue.

[SPL Parts]

I agree with SPL parts, I also own an M3 and I used ATE Super Blue this for autocross and it's good I've also heard alot of other people give good comments about it too. I also put this in to my S13, don't use Dot 5! A large majority of Real sports car shop have this always in stock. Price is usually about $10 per quart.

Man, I'm really likin that car in your sig!

[IvoryJ30t]

DO NOT USE DOT5!!!

use dot 4 or 5.1.

if you listen to your father, you will be replacing you calipers and master cylinder in about a year.

[SPL Parts]

DO NOT USE DOT5!!!

use dot 4 or 5.1.

if you listen to your father, you will be replacing you calipers and master cylinder in about a year.

Correct, because as I mentioned before the silicon based fluids require new seals that are not rubber.

[IvoryJ30t]

dissolves the o rings and whatnot.

tearing you brake system apart to install neoprene seals is not fun. just stick to 4 or 5.1.

5 is mainly used in postal vehicles and other specially manufactured vehicles. its silicone base makes it non-hygroscopic, so it does not absorb water, greatly extending the service life.

its just incompatible with normal brake system seals.

[fuzion]

So 5 is bad, but 5.1 is good?

Superblue is 4 right?

[IvoryJ30t]

dot 3 is junk, dot 4 is good, dot 5 is BAD, and dot 5.1 is good

[IvoryJ30t]

my fav fluid for the price is Castrol GT-LMA.

there are better fluids, but i can find GT-LMA locally, and its cheap.

[SPL Parts]

So 5 is bad, but 5.1 is good?

Superblue is 4 right?

Taken off our website:

ATE super blue brake fluid has a dry boiling point of 536F and wet boiling point of 414F, exceeds DOT3 specifications and is compatible with other brake fluids. ATE brake fluids come in metal cans to eliminate moisture absorption on the store shelf, ensuring you get the maximum life out of your brake fluid. Also unlike other brake fluids, ATE brake fluid does not absorb moisture quickly and will not require as frequent replacement.

Note: we recommend that the brake fluid be replaced yearly and before every racing event for best performance

Superblue is just good... and it's a DOT 4 by classification.

The price is $16 for a 1 liter can... figure $10 + $6 for shipping and you get $16 shipped, so our price is about average.

[BuudWeizErr]

can you tell me what the difference in dry vs wet boiling is? I read it somewhere, and I forgot it and can't find the linke, and I need a refresher.

[SPL Parts]

can you tell me what the difference in dry vs wet boiling is? I read it somewhere, and I forgot it and can't find the linke, and I need a refresher.

Simply put, new fluid has a dry boiling point and older fluid has a wet boiling point.

More technically, glycol based brake fluids such as DOT 3 & 4 are hygroscopic, meaning they draw moisture out of the atmosphere. A "dry" fluid would be how you would describe an "uncontaminated" fluid, and a "wet" fluid would describe a "contaminated", meaning water has been absorbed, fluid. Water obviously has a lower boiling point than a glycol based hydraulic fluid, thus creating a lower "Wet" boiling temperature.

[Labatt Bear]

I found product specification data in PDF format for MOTUL RBF 600 & DOT 5.1. http://www.turbofrogperformance.com/Tech.htm Motul RBF is DOT 4 and seems to have high dry & wet boiling point (593F & 420F) Motul DOT 5.1 has 518F dry and 365F wet boiling. It is non-silicone based and a lot cheaper than RBF 600. I think it would be good for high performance street machines. I'd consider trying Motul 5.1 based on performance per $ value.

[Dano]

theres a lot of good info here, i have the motul 5.1 from pdm but havent gotten to use it at a track event yet.

-Dan