Fluids and Lubricants Motor oil, transmission oil, radiator fluid, power steering fluid, blinker fluid... wait, there is no blinker fluid. Technical discussion and analysis of the different lubricants we use in our cars.

What's a good brake fluid?

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Old 09-12-2004, 04:47 PM
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What's a good brake fluid?

Just for "enthusiastic" drivers, not necessarily for use on the track or anything.

Thanks
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Old 09-12-2004, 04:56 PM
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valvoline dot3/dot4 is pretty good for normal use
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Old 09-14-2004, 03:51 PM
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ATE blue ...
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Old 09-14-2004, 07:11 PM
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Just splurge for the ATE Super Blue and don't look back.
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Old 09-15-2004, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by SR20DEN
Just splurge for the ATE Super Blue and don't look back.
That's what I run.... Good stuff
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Old 09-15-2004, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Cutlr7
That's what I run.... Good stuff

I have a full unopened can of ATE Superblue for sale. If any Mass guys are interested, PM me.
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Old 10-08-2004, 10:26 AM
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who sells ate super blue. can i just got to advanced or pepboys to get it.
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Old 10-08-2004, 02:01 PM
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We have it here at work but other than that the stuff is pretty hard to find OTC.
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Old 10-08-2004, 08:34 PM
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http://www.raceshopper.com/ate_brake_fluid.shtml

im going to switch to it too.
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Old 10-10-2004, 04:44 PM
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www.cdoc.com
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Old 10-10-2004, 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by aussie983

I also got mine from them.

JP
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Old 10-11-2004, 10:31 AM
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Valvoline DOT3/4 Synthetic Brake Fluid is really a good stuff. I have bled my brakes and replaced it with Valvoline Syn Brake Fluid and I see excellent performance.

Earlier, with stock fluid if I went on long vacations and I would see it boiling (literally see bubbles ... ) but now with Valvoline (upto 525F) the stuff stands up and good...
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Old 10-23-2004, 09:05 AM
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Anybody run Motul?

I am probably going to purchase Motul RBF600. Our cars only need one bottle correct?
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Old 10-23-2004, 10:34 AM
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motul is a race fluid, and is not really good for daily use. it absorbs water too quick, so it great for the racer who flushes/bleeds brakes often.
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Old 10-23-2004, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by JSutter
motul is a race fluid, and is not really good for daily use. it absorbs water too quick, so it great for the racer who flushes/bleeds brakes often.

ATE Super Blue/Gold behaves exactly the same way. There is nothing wrong with using these fluids in your street car so long as you keep up with the maintenance.

Once my supply of Motul runs out I will switch to the ATE Blue.
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Old 10-23-2004, 12:36 PM
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well all fluids absorb water, but im pretty sure the Motul absorbs water much quicker than others. I could be wrong. The only bad part i know of Motul is the price.

I had a chart of some popular fluids and looking at the data, ATE was the best choice for a daily drivin car that needs a higher boiling point. It has a high BP (wet and dry) at a relatively low cost.

good comparisons.

http://brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/Br...Comparison.htm
http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/brakefluid1a.htm
http://www.bira.org/fluids.html
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars/brakefluid.htm
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Old 10-23-2004, 12:40 PM
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Well I went ahead and bought Motul anyway. It has to be better than the Value crap I bought from Autozone that I needed quickly since I was low.

Just ordered new rotors and pads from Auto_Max GD, so I figured need to get some good BF as well.
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Old 10-24-2004, 04:27 PM
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so heres a question.....is there a way to drain just the fluid in the accumulator, master cylinder, and pump without having to take off the wheels or anything? i only ask cause this is how i do it on my allante.
Thanks
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Old 10-24-2004, 06:42 PM
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I have some Valvoline synthetic that is going into the brakes and clutch next week.
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Old 10-24-2004, 07:34 PM
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Valvoline Synthetic is a great value. I use it (street / road course) because it has almost as good of a dry boiling point as ATE Superblue (ATE does have a better wet boiling point) and because I can buy it cheaply at any auto parts store. Also, ATE Superblue seems to have stained my buddy's 911 brake fluid reservoir.

If you can boil Valvoline Synthetic on the street we'll look for you on COPS.
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Old 10-24-2004, 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve97TT
Valvoline Synthetic is a great value. I use it (street / road course) because it has almost as good of a dry boiling point as ATE Superblue (ATE does have a better wet boiling point) and because I can buy it cheaply at any auto parts store. Also, ATE Superblue seems to have stained my buddy's 911 brake fluid reservoir.

If you can boil Valvoline Synthetic on the street we'll look for you on COPS.

Very true, but having blue brake fluid just looks so damn cool
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Old 10-25-2004, 05:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Mizeree_X
Very true, but having blue brake fluid just looks so damn cool
Yes it does. And it looks almost as cool as BMW blue coolant.
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Old 10-25-2004, 08:43 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by sagamax
who sells ate super blue. can i just got to advanced or pepboys to get it.

http://www.machv.com/atesublrabrf.html

stuff is the best!
 
Old 10-28-2004, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by soundmike
Just for "enthusiastic" drivers, not necessarily for use on the track or anything.

Thanks
I am using Ford Heavy-duty brake fluids. It has a high boiling point as well. IIRC, it is about the same as Volvoline synthetic. Funny no one mentioned this here. I got this informatin from the SE-R forum when I owned a NX2000.
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Old 10-28-2004, 12:38 PM
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VOLVOline eh? I would say the Ford stuff is about the same considering Ford owns Volvo

I assume you meant VALVOline
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Old 10-28-2004, 12:43 PM
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I agree 100% Some of that more exotic stuff might be better but what if you need it right away? Plus I bet by the end of one year, most of these fluids would rate the same boiling point anyway. It seems the more exotic the fluid, the faster is absorbs water(thus lowering it's boiling point greatly).

Changing the brake fluid at normal intervals would be the most effective way of maintaing the hydraulic system


Originally Posted by Steve97TT
Valvoline Synthetic is a great value. I use it (street / road course) because it has almost as good of a dry boiling point as ATE Superblue (ATE does have a better wet boiling point) and because I can buy it cheaply at any auto parts store. Also, ATE Superblue seems to have stained my buddy's 911 brake fluid reservoir.

If you can boil Valvoline Synthetic on the street we'll look for you on COPS.
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Old 10-28-2004, 01:32 PM
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i use valvoline syn in the allante its good stuff and pretty cheap
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Old 11-01-2004, 03:05 AM
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What about Castrol GT LMA, anyone has good or bad experience with it?
Also, how does it compare w/ Valvoline, ATE, Motul, etc.?
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Old 11-01-2004, 04:51 AM
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There is also the absolute best brake fluid that money can buy, Castol SRF. But at $70 per liter it isn't cost effective for any street car.
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Old 11-12-2004, 08:50 AM
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Is it more expensive than the SRF?
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Old 11-12-2004, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by SunMax
I am using Ford Heavy-duty brake fluids. It has a high boiling point as well. IIRC, it is about the same as Volvoline synthetic. Funny no one mentioned this here. I got this informatin from the SE-R forum when I owned a NX2000.
I have heard the same thing.

the ford has high dry boiling temp, is cheap, available locally, BUT down fall is its wet boiling point is low, just like many other DOT 3 at 284*.

according to this link you cant beat it for the money
http://www.bira.org/fluids.html

so its it a good over all choice
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Old 11-12-2004, 01:47 PM
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I'll stick with my ATE Blue and a 6 month flush interval. I can get that stuff cheaper than the listed prices. The Ford HD truck fluid is about the best bang for the buck though.
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Old 11-14-2004, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by kcryan
so heres a question.....is there a way to drain just the fluid in the accumulator, master cylinder, and pump without having to take off the wheels or anything? i only ask cause this is how i do it on my allante.
Thanks
KC Ryan
It is possible if you have a larger rim. I have a 17 and it is tight but do-able. Hook up a 1/8" ID hose to the bleeder. Open up the bleeder and pump the pedal. Eventually you will drain the system. It would definitely be very difficult if not impossible w/ SE rims and wholey impossible w/ GLE or GXE rims.
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Old 11-14-2004, 05:08 PM
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i have the stock infiniti rims so i think it would be about impossible without taking off the wheel as there is no room in them.hhahahahaha

but what i really meant was in the allante i can bleed the fluid out of the resovior, master cylinder and pump by opeining valves under the hood..this means i can change the fluid that gets into all of the system except the lines(which really isnt important) pretty damn fast.

but i guess this isnt possible on the max/i30's ohh well someday ill pop off a wheel
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