best brake fluid?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 699
Likes: 46
From: Charlotte NC
best brake fluid?
Redoing the whole system w/ new lines, calipers, master cylinder so here's my chance to get it right. What is the best brake fluid for all around performance & longevity? I have no racing or autocross plans.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
DOT 3 off the shelf at the parts store. For longevity, flush it every 2 years and you'll be better than most car owners. Valvoline stuff that comes in a yellow bottle is what I use for my non-racing applications.
Some will recommend DOT 5 - I have a very good friend that I respect a lot who uses it with great success. I don't have personal experience with it.
Some will recommend DOT 5 - I have a very good friend that I respect a lot who uses it with great success. I don't have personal experience with it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 276
From: Akron OH
DOT 3 and DOT 4 are hygroscopic (they absorb water). Therefore, they will cause your brake lines to rust from the inside over time if not changed at the recommended intervals. So if longevity is what you are after, DOT 5 is the way to go.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,351
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From: los altos hills california
I've been using ProSpeed RS683, which has minimal air content. Many years ago my original calipers rusted out so I switched to SS calipers. And I tried Dot 5 which was advertised to be hydrophobic (but holds considerably more air) OK around town but on a trip over the LA grapevine I completely lost any brake pedal due to the higher altitude expanding the residual air in the fluid. At the time I didn't understand what was happening until I did some research. Maybe Dot 5 is better now but that was a frightening experience.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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I've run DOT 5 in mine for nearly 20 years...no issues. Also lived in Denver and Salt Lake and ran in the mountains with no issues.
DOT 5 doesn't absorb water....but the other side is that whatever moisture that might get into the system through various leaks still sits there...just doesn't get absorbed into fluid.
The key to good brake system life is to have no leaks/seeps etc. If fluid can get out...air can get in....and will. So any misting anywhere is going to cause issues.
If it's sealed tight...you won't have moisture issues.
JIM
DOT 5 doesn't absorb water....but the other side is that whatever moisture that might get into the system through various leaks still sits there...just doesn't get absorbed into fluid.
The key to good brake system life is to have no leaks/seeps etc. If fluid can get out...air can get in....and will. So any misting anywhere is going to cause issues.
If it's sealed tight...you won't have moisture issues.
JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,375
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
With every thing...every thing new, in my 68 restore, I installed silicon brake fluid. Silicon is not absorbic for water. My brakes lines, fittings were all stainless steel, and the master cylinder was lined with a stainless steel bore.
A complaint with silicon brake fluid is that it gives a soft pedal...its because it's not properly installed. I bought my silicon brake fluid from Stainless Steel Brake Corporation and they provided instructions for installing it. Actually, my brakes were flushed and bled with the silicone fluid applied at Guildstrand Motorsports in Burbank, Ca.
Bottom line.. I have absolutely stone hard brakes with silicon brake fluid, this is with a 68 Corvette that does not have power brakes. Stone hard braking does require ...by today's standards.....extra foot brake pressure if you don't have power brakes. I'd like to have power brakes, but with the manual brakes, I can still lock up the wheels for a wheel screeching, white smoke billowing, stop.
A complaint with silicon brake fluid is that it gives a soft pedal...its because it's not properly installed. I bought my silicon brake fluid from Stainless Steel Brake Corporation and they provided instructions for installing it. Actually, my brakes were flushed and bled with the silicone fluid applied at Guildstrand Motorsports in Burbank, Ca.
Bottom line.. I have absolutely stone hard brakes with silicon brake fluid, this is with a 68 Corvette that does not have power brakes. Stone hard braking does require ...by today's standards.....extra foot brake pressure if you don't have power brakes. I'd like to have power brakes, but with the manual brakes, I can still lock up the wheels for a wheel screeching, white smoke billowing, stop.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; May 3, 2015 at 10:58 PM.
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