Brake Fluid

[11blackSTi]

Hey all - just curious what people are using for brake fluid. I am getting mine changed soon and I figured I might spend a few bucks and bring my own in rather than have them put in whatever they use at the dealership.
Thanks!

[zax]

Motul RBF600

[Donkey]

Any DOT 3/4 synthetic is fine.

[teflon_jones]

^^^ What he said.

Motul, ATE Superblue, and Castrol are the three most used ones, mostly because they're the easiest to get, but any DOT4 fluid will more than do the job unless you have a dedicated track car that will run extended times on the track. I've used both of the first two pretty extensively on the track in a couple of different cars (Subaru and Porsche) and they've both worked perfectly.

Make sure when you replace the fluid that it's a full flush and replace and not just a replace (which will leave some of your old fluid in the system). I'd also suggest you add stainless steel lines at the same time since those require replacing the brake fluid too. They'll significantly improve your pedal feel.

[EJ257]

Is the car strictly DD duty? Auto-X? HPDEs?

Any DOT 3/4 synthetic is fine.

As a general rule, yes. I use ATE SuperBlue, personally.

[SD_GR]

Alternating colours makes it easy to know when fresh fluid reached a caliper dso there's that advantage. For my cars I just buy Castrol locally though. YMMV.

[Rambo]

I use ATE SuperBlue, personally.

Same. Never had an issue with it, and it comes in two colors, for flushing purposes.

[teflon_jones]

One other thing to be aware of with respect to DOT4 fluids is they must be changed yearly. They have a shorter service life due to their properties than their less effective counterparts, which can be left for several years in a car between replacement.

[SD_GR]

I have read the ATE DOT4 change interval is up to 3 years; this is comparable to DOT3.

[11blackSTi]

Great thanks for the input everyone.

My car is a daily driver. I don't track it. But any chance I get to put something better in I always do. For example, I know I don't need to run good oil in the engine, but I always use AMSOIL signature series and Oil filter just because. Who knows what the dealership uses.

Anyway, I will research some of the suggestions.

Thanks again!

[Ruh Roh]

Wearever Dot 3 from local auto parts store. it does the job.

[11blackSTi]

Alternating colours makes it easy to know when fresh fluid reached a caliper dso there's that advantage. For my cars I just buy Castrol locally though. YMMV.

Probably a dumb question, but how much fluid do you need for each time you change it?

[Heide264]

Alternating colours makes it easy to know when fresh fluid reached a caliper dso there's that advantage. For my cars I just buy Castrol locally though. YMMV.

This.

Different color brake fluid makes life easy. I put in Motul last time. Will use ATE SuperBlue next year. Super Blue is cheaper for what its worth.

I have also heard that DOT4 fluid requires changing more frequently. It is supposedly more hydroscopic than DOT3. I believe a couple books I read pointed that out. Either way, if you aren't tracking your car, you should be fine with every other (or every 3) years as a maintenance interval. I'd suggest flushing them before every few track events otherwise.

[Heide264]

Probably a dumb question, but how much fluid do you need for each time you change it?

I believe it is .7 of a quart. I would buy two to be save. You can always leave unopened brake fluid sit on the shelf for next time. It's frustrating to run out. Especially if you are throwing on stainless lines, plan in case you find a leak. The DOT 4 fluids (for me) are near impossible find locally.

[11blackSTi]

I believe it is .7 of a quart. I would buy two to be save. You can always leave unopened brake fluid sit on the shelf for next time. It's frustrating to run out. Especially if you are throwing on stainless lines, plan in case you find a leak. The DOT 4 fluids (for me) are near impossible find locally.

Awesome...Thanks!