Brake Fluid Talk.

***BLACKonBLACK98*** · 02-10-2008, 11:14 AM

I am gathering parts for a brake project I will begin soon. I've taken care of everything except for fluid. I did a little research and discovered why higher temperature fluid is a good idea (see here). I would just like to here some personal experience, tips, deals, etc.

*n3985* · 02-10-2008, 01:04 PM

Unless you will be on a road course every weekend, the best bang for the buck fluid is Valvoline Synpower DOT 3/4, $5 for the big bottle at any store.

!PrjctMax! · 02-10-2008, 02:45 PM

A tech told me that using synthetic brake fluid in a car that wasn't "designed" for it will slowly eat away at the lines...

?

***BLACKonBLACK98*** · 02-10-2008, 02:57 PM

i read that too... apparently you are supposed to stick with whatever dot rating the car was designed for. ours is dot 3 right?

FishyMan · 02-11-2008, 12:24 AM

^^For 4th gen yes. Not sure about newer models and what not. I find the typical dot 3 brands like PREST good, but I use VALVE SYN and have no problems whatsoever.

*ROCKART* · 02-14-2008, 07:51 AM

i asked this question a couple of months back and got pretty much one answer:

valvoline synpower

so i go to autozone and ask for it, and the guy points to it. i pick up the bottle and look at it, and it says "exceeds Dot 3 and Dot 4" recommendations.

i ask the guy if this would be OK for a dot 3 system. he says yes.

so i go to the counter and ask a different guy and he says "no way, that will mess everything up" ......................

i come home and post on here and find out that Exceeds DOT3 and DOT4 just means that its boiling point is a little higher than non-syn DOT3/DOT4, and that it is fine to run in our 4th gens.

DOT 5 (silicone based) is what you want to stay away from.

!PrjctMax! · 02-14-2008, 08:38 AM

^ Good to know! (that's about 3 people confirming now) I will probably be getting those once BBK comes around.

**Greeny** · 02-14-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !PrjctMax!

A tech told me that using synthetic brake fluid in a car that wasn't "designed" for it will slowly eat away at the lines...

?

Just stay away from any brake fluids that are silicone based,(Dot 5)

Valvoline synthetic is completely compatible with our brake systems.

***BLACKonBLACK98*** · 02-14-2008, 09:41 AM

ok, that makes a lot more sense. i wasn't putting the info. together correctly. so who uses hp fluid like motul, wilwood, etc.?

**Matt93SE** · 02-14-2008, 10:36 AM

I've used them all.
I currently have in my box:
Castrol SRF
Motul RBF 600
ATE Blue
ATE Typ 200 (yellow)
some other castrol..
Valvoline Synpower.

I use the Valvoline in all my cars, including track cars.
occasionally I'll use the ATE blue/yellow combination when I'm doing lots of track events and want to be able to see when I have fresh fluid at the calipers.

but performance-wise, I see no difference between the valvolline and the ATE stuff. and the ATE is 2.5x the price... (the rest is WAY more expensive)... which is why it sits there waiting for some hapless sucker at the track to come by needing fluid and insists on 'the best'... and he'll pay for it too.

**Greeny** · 02-14-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACKonBLACK98

ok, that makes a lot more sense. i wasn't putting the info. together correctly. so who uses hp fluid like motul, wilwood, etc.?

That stuff is uber overkill for a street driven car, you would be wasting your money.

Valvoline synpower is the way to go.

**Matt93SE** · 02-14-2008, 11:02 AM

that stuff is uber overkill on anyhting below a full-out GT type race car with huge power and monster slicks and downforce.
anything else simply can't generate enough braking to make enough heat to need them.

***BLACKonBLACK98*** · 02-14-2008, 11:11 AM

ok... glad i found out BEFORE i sepnt my money this time. thanks fellas.

FishyMan · 06-08-2008, 01:18 PM

anybody know if brake fluid has shelf life for UNOPENED bottels?

*04MAX_ILLIN* · 06-23-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishyMan

anybody know if brake fluid has shelf life for UNOPENED bottels?

It shouldn't have a shelf life. The fluid is broken down by constant increases/decreases in temperature when you use the brakes. I dont think the fluid will breakdown while sitting on the shelf at room temp constantly.

*VigilanteMax* · 06-26-2008, 07:06 PM

Used valvoline before reading this. Ive trusted their brand for many years. Quick question; which brake fluid isnt synthetic in its technical sense?

*redls1* · 06-27-2008, 12:52 PM

I was a fool and used motul then read it was overkill.

MDeezy · 06-28-2008, 12:56 PM

VALVE SYN has always worked good. bled my clutch system with this also

FishyMan · 06-29-2008, 12:47 AM

I like valv. Works well for me. In fact I've never had brake problems.

*JonBlz* · 06-29-2008, 02:04 AM

hands down

ATE SUPER BLUE RACING BRAKE FLUID

*The Wizard* · 07-01-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VigilanteMax

Used valvoline before reading this. Ive trusted their brand for many years. Quick question; which brake fluid isnt synthetic in its technical sense?

None.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonBlz

hands down

ATE SUPER BLUE RACING BRAKE FLUID

I'm gonna have to go ahead and agree with Greeny and Matt on this one......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greeny

That stuff is uber overkill for a street driven car, you would be wasting your money.

Valvoline synpower is the way to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt93SE

I've used them all.
I currently have in my box:
Castrol SRF
Motul RBF 600
ATE Blue
ATE Typ 200 (yellow)
some other castrol..
Valvoline Synpower.

but performance-wise, I see no difference between the valvolline and the ATE stuff. and the ATE is 2.5x the price... (the rest is WAY more expensive)... which is why it sits there waiting for some hapless sucker at the track to come by needing fluid and insists on 'the best'... and he'll pay for it too.