what brake fluid do you guys use? need help for deciding..
03-27-2005, 02:21 PM
#1
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what brake fluid do you guys use? need help for deciding..
hello i did a search and thought that perhaps making a thread like this will help those.
I have a 97 maxima no abs (no light when startup) anyhow I was curious about what fluid I should use. I read and looked at the manual and it says dot 3 / dot 4 even on the brake fluid cap. I know everyone is using the 'motols' or whatever but I dont' intend to race. I also dont' think it would be economical for me to purchase that as I can't seem to find those fluid. anyhow..
I went and notice 4 brands.
prestone SYNTHETIC dot 3
stp dot 3
pyroil (by valvoline) dot 3
synpower by valvoline for dot 3 and dot 4.
Here's what i found and need some adivce.
WET BOILING POINT
The minimum temperatures that brake fluids will begin to boil when the brake system contains 3% water by volume of the system.
DRY BOILING POINT
The temperatures that brake fluid will boil with no water present in the system.
So i just want to know exactly what I should look at, the wet or the dry? So is a higher wet more important or a dry? Im leaning on the valv synpower. It's like $7 for 32oz.
I have a 97 maxima no abs (no light when startup) anyhow I was curious about what fluid I should use. I read and looked at the manual and it says dot 3 / dot 4 even on the brake fluid cap. I know everyone is using the 'motols' or whatever but I dont' intend to race. I also dont' think it would be economical for me to purchase that as I can't seem to find those fluid. anyhow..
I went and notice 4 brands.
prestone SYNTHETIC dot 3
stp dot 3
pyroil (by valvoline) dot 3
synpower by valvoline for dot 3 and dot 4.
Here's what i found and need some adivce.
WET BOILING POINT
The minimum temperatures that brake fluids will begin to boil when the brake system contains 3% water by volume of the system.
DRY BOILING POINT
The temperatures that brake fluid will boil with no water present in the system.
So i just want to know exactly what I should look at, the wet or the dry? So is a higher wet more important or a dry? Im leaning on the valv synpower. It's like $7 for 32oz.
03-27-2005, 03:03 PM
#2
DOT 4 has better properties than DOT 3. DOT 5 should NOT be used in our cars. There is a DOT 5a (or something like that) which is compatible, but not necessary.
Dry boiling point helps determine how well it will handle repeated braking without fading, when the fluid is fresh from the can.
Wet boiling point is how the fluid performs after it has been in the car for a while and absorbed some water. In a street vehicle, it degrades to the wet boiling point within several months. Only road racers typically bother doing it that often.
ATE Superblue is probably best, but the Valvoline Synthetic DOT4 is very good (and not too expensive). Unless you do road racing, it's unlikely you'll ever approach boiling your brake fluid.
In any case, I suggest changing the fluid about once a year and not worrying about it further. It's more important to change it correctly so there is no air in the lines.
Dave
Dry boiling point helps determine how well it will handle repeated braking without fading, when the fluid is fresh from the can.
Wet boiling point is how the fluid performs after it has been in the car for a while and absorbed some water. In a street vehicle, it degrades to the wet boiling point within several months. Only road racers typically bother doing it that often.
ATE Superblue is probably best, but the Valvoline Synthetic DOT4 is very good (and not too expensive). Unless you do road racing, it's unlikely you'll ever approach boiling your brake fluid.
In any case, I suggest changing the fluid about once a year and not worrying about it further. It's more important to change it correctly so there is no air in the lines.
Dave
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