Which brake fluid for drum brakes?
XXX-1.8T - March 29th, 2013 at 10:39 AM
I have some dot 4 and dot 5 brake fluid in the garage can I use this in my beetle?
donn - March 29th, 2013 at 11:26 AM
when all else fails...............read the directions.
Sorry, had to do it, to my knowledge it will be ok but it will (should) tell you on the container what it will suit, ie, type of brake system, I also
think that the "dot" has to do with the temp. range that the fluid will work at so it should be good for drums.
ian.mezz - March 29th, 2013 at 11:50 AM
some of the different brands of 4 and 5 swell up the seals
XXX-1.8T - March 29th, 2013 at 12:22 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by ian.mezz
some of the different brands of 4 and 5 swell up the seals
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is it ok to use to bleed the brakes?
65standard - March 29th, 2013 at 12:35 PM
I use Castrol Brake Fluid Response, Dot 4 on my Beetle. No problems whatsoever with braking or seals swelling.
If you haven't bled the brakes in the last couple of years, now's the time to bleed them. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, or absorbs moisture over a
period of time, reducing your brake efficiency.
Smiley - March 29th, 2013 at 03:10 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by 65standard
I use Castrol Brake Fluid Response, Dot 4 on my Beetle. No problems whatsoever with braking or seals swelling.
If you haven't bled the brakes in the last couple of years, now's the time to bleed them. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, or absorbs moisture over a
period of time, reducing your brake efficiency.
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Dot 5 is not hydroscopic and will not absorb water from the atmosphere, so it's going to last longer.
IF you have Dot 5 available to you I would use that, but I would also be checked with the compatibility of your system first.
Smiley 
vlad01 - March 29th, 2013 at 08:27 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by Smiley
| Quote: | Originally
posted by 65standard
I use Castrol Brake Fluid Response, Dot 4 on my Beetle. No problems whatsoever with braking or seals swelling.
If you haven't bled the brakes in the last couple of years, now's the time to bleed them. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, or absorbs moisture over a
period of time, reducing your brake efficiency.
|
Dot 5 is not hydroscopic and will not absorb water from the atmosphere, so it's going to last longer.
IF you have Dot 5 available to you I would use that, but I would also be checked with the compatibility of your system first.
Smiley
|
just a note, DO NOT mix dot 5 with dot. 5.1, 4 and 3 they are not compatible. DOT 5 is silicone based oil the rest are ethyl glycol based.
If you want to use DOT 5 you need to basically replace all the of the brake system including all the lines and hoses to ensure no traces of old fluid
remains. (unless you are super good at flushing)
once thats done you can use it and it will become maintenance virtually as it does not need to be changed regularly like the ethyl glycol based fluids
as it is not hygroscopic. its highly recommended for new brake systems in vintage cars that don't get driven much or owners want them to last
forever. oh and the performance is better too.
matberry - March 29th, 2013 at 10:52 PM
Yep, dot 5 is not compaatible with other fluid, technically for new instal only.
68AutoBug - March 30th, 2013 at 12:42 PM
well that is interesting..
I'm going up to My shed to check what brake fluid I used last time when I changed My brake pads... lol
Hopefully DOT 4...
so, New cars do NOT need the brake fluid renewed every few years???
I'll have to check My wife's suzuki Swift..
I;ve been wondering how to change the brake fluid with ABS
LEE
AA003 - March 30th, 2013 at 03:10 PM
Dot 5 is not compatible with ABS systems.
Toyota use Dot 3.
Citroen use Dot 5.
Most others use Dot 4.
Dot 3 change every 12 months
Dot 4 change every 2 years.
1303Steve - March 30th, 2013 at 06:22 PM
Once you open the bottle use what you need and through it away
vlad01 - March 30th, 2013 at 06:26 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by 68AutoBug
well that is interesting..
I'm going up to My shed to check what brake fluid I used last time when I changed My brake pads... lol
Hopefully DOT 4...
so, New cars do NOT need the brake fluid renewed every few years???
I'll have to check My wife's suzuki Swift..
I;ve been wondering how to change the brake fluid with ABS
LEE
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yes they do, DOT 5 is not to be used in ABS systems, it will f**k it. So all new cars must change as any other car would.
DOT 5 is really for simple non ABS brakes in older cars such as classic, race cars with no ABS, vintage, military etc...
vlad01 - March 30th, 2013 at 06:29 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by 1303Steve
Once you open the bottle use what you need and through it away
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its not that bad. as long as its not like 90% humidity and the seal on the bottle is good it should be right for quite some time, but I would still
toss it after few months.
XXX-1.8T - April 2nd, 2013 at 09:28 PM
I ended up using castrol super dot 4 I take it it's the same as normal dot 4?
vlad01 - April 2nd, 2013 at 10:25 PM
yes probably. DOT 4 should be DOT 4
REDKG - April 3rd, 2013 at 07:57 PM
They all taste the same to me. I know one thing , dot5 (synthetic) wasn't around in Ferdinand porsches's day.