Brake Fluid Recommendation?

[rbattelle]

I'm looking to flush my brake fluid soon and was wondering if anyone has any particular recommendations for a good heavy-duty brake fluid.



-Ryan

 

[DBrickel]

I just bought some to do the same thing. I went to a brake suppy warehouse and asked for the best they had to offer. I have (Wagner DOT5. 1). Its compatible with all the rest so any residual you have left in the system shouldn't be a problem

 

[Tim]

I can't believe people are actually talking about flushing brake fluid.

 

[Kry226]

I can't believe people are actually talking about flushing brake fluid.

Why not? Are you just posting to see your words on the screen? Maybe try bringing something helpful to the conversation.



Spec calls for DOT3. I would just used any name brand you trust and flush every couple of years.

 

[TimBrunett]

Flushing brake fluid

If you’re going to flush the fluid, DOT 3 or 4 will be fine. The higher numbers are about the same but have higher boiling points. They are usually retro compatible. Just don’t use a container that has been open for a while because brake fluid is very attractive to moisture. Tests that I've seen on opened and re-closed conatiners showed as much as 2-3% water. So I only add or flush with new sealed containers. But thats me and I tend to be anal about maintanence (and some other things too).

Buy several quarts and flush till its nearly as clear out as it went in. Brake fluid should be flushed about every two years but most people don’t do it. LOL

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TB

 

[DBrickel]

If you’re going to flush the fluid, DOT 3 or 4 will be fine. The higher numbers are about the same but have higher boiling points. They are usually retro compatible. Just don’t use a container that has been open for a while because brake fluid is very attractive to moisture. Tests that I've seen on opened and re-closed conatiners showed as much as 2-3% water. So I only add or flush with new sealed containers. But thats me and I tend to be anal about maintanence (and some other things too).



Buy several quarts and flush till its nearly as clear out as it went in. Brake fluid should be flushed about every two years but most people don’t do it. LOL



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TB

I agree. I liked the idea of the higher boiling point because I tow a fairly good sized boat. Just an extra precaution. Most people don't change their transmission fluid or flush the radiator either and if you only plan on owning a car/truck for a couple of yrs its probably not necesary to do maintenance. --- just future owners.

 

[rbattelle]

I'd like to go with a 5. 1 fluid, but there is none conveniently available around here. I think I'm going to go with Valvoline Synpower. I've used it on 2 other vehicles with good results.



-Ryan

 

[DPKetchum]

I'ver changed brake fliud in my vehicles around once a year. Comes from my OLD Datsun/Nissan days. It was always part of a yearly maintance

 

[gsbrockman]

I can't believe people are actually talking about flushing brake fluid.

Maybe someone can bookmark this thread and remind Tim in a few years after his expensive ABS system fails due to a simple fluid failure or contamination.

Greg

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I have flushed my brake system about 3 times in the last 10 years. I can not believe how dirty the fluid is when I flush it out of the wheel cylinders.

 

[BHolm]

Flushing every other year is very good practice. To be able to run my Porsche at the track I must verify that it has had the fluid flushed in the last 12 months. It is a safety thing, if you run your truck hard or in dirty conditions, it needs to be changed bi-annually.



I agree that most folks pass on stuff like that, brake fluid, radiator flushes, even experienced pro's like Tim :-laf