Dot 5 ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Dot 5 ?
My new VBP Calipers arrived yesterday. New pads and rotors, too.
Should I upgrade to Dot 5 brake fluid or is it just a waste of money?
My 81 is a daily driver and not a hot rod.
Dave
Should I upgrade to Dot 5 brake fluid or is it just a waste of money?
My 81 is a daily driver and not a hot rod.
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: Dot 5 ? (Schwee)
To use Dot 5 you need to completely flush the old system as the DOT 5 silicone is not compatible with the DOT3/4 glycol based fluid. Dot 3/4 is hydroscopic and will absorb water, while DOT 5 is not. Dot 5 has a higher boiling point.
I use Ford HD DOT 3 brake fluid. If you get water in the system, the DOT3/4 will absorb it, then the water will be flushed out when you change brake fluid (we all change our brake fluid don't we :lol: ). With DOT 5 there is a possibility that the water contamination will be trapped and not be flushed out with fluid changes.
If you are going to use the car, I think Ford HD DOT 3 is the way to go.
I use Ford HD DOT 3 brake fluid. If you get water in the system, the DOT3/4 will absorb it, then the water will be flushed out when you change brake fluid (we all change our brake fluid don't we :lol: ). With DOT 5 there is a possibility that the water contamination will be trapped and not be flushed out with fluid changes.
If you are going to use the car, I think Ford HD DOT 3 is the way to go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Re: Dot 5 ? (Schwee)
Personally, I use the Valvoline Synthetic that's available at your local Auto Zone. I've used it on the street and for open track days and haven't had any problems. Even the heavy road race guys tend to not use the super-expensive stuff. Castrol LMA or the Ford HD are both highly recommended as well. The best thing to do for your brakes is to flush them every so often and bleed them inbetween flushings. With a daily driver that really doesn't get pushed too hard, you shouldn't really have to worry. Brake fluid likes to absorb water and that's what lowers the boiling point and can cause them to not work as intended. Flushing with new fluid helps to keep the BP up, but on the street, you should never really have to worry. If you want to do more reading on brake fluid theory, check out the Roadracing/Autocross forum.
Wow, that was a long winded response to an easy question. Bottom line: Dot 5 = overkill. Use the cheap (but decent) stuff and keep up with the maintenance.
Wow, that was a long winded response to an easy question. Bottom line: Dot 5 = overkill. Use the cheap (but decent) stuff and keep up with the maintenance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Re: Dot 5 ? (Schwee)
Dot 5 does not absorb water like Dot 3 and 4, but it is also alot more expensive. Down here in Louisiana I like to use Dot 5 since we have so much moisture around.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Dot 5 ? (Sigforty)
I installed DOT 5 in my C2 and didn't open it up for over 20 years. When I did, the fluid was just as clear & clean as the day I put it in. So I re-used it. Absolutely no problems with the stuff. I am converting all of my cars (all non-abs) one at a time to DOT 5. Makes life so much easier.
The rubber parts wear out and need to be changed way before the fluid gets funky.... if it even does.
Boiling point?? I think that most sports car owners will never push their cars to the point where boiling point has any bearing on the situation. Personally, I think that boiling point is moot: deprived of practical significance : made abstract or purely academic
Lot of 001's wannabe 007's.
Just my experience with the stuff.
An important point was made above.... if you do not get all the water out on your initial DOT 5 bleed, then it will sit, and rust will form in that spot. So.... bleed 'em right the first time.
The rubber parts wear out and need to be changed way before the fluid gets funky.... if it even does.
Boiling point?? I think that most sports car owners will never push their cars to the point where boiling point has any bearing on the situation. Personally, I think that boiling point is moot: deprived of practical significance : made abstract or purely academic
Lot of 001's wannabe 007's.
Just my experience with the stuff.
An important point was made above.... if you do not get all the water out on your initial DOT 5 bleed, then it will sit, and rust will form in that spot. So.... bleed 'em right the first time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 6
From: Long Island NY
Re: Dot 5 ? (Dwaynes69BB)
Does anybody use a power bleeder? http://www.motiveproducts.com/ordernow_bleeders.htm
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