Lets talk Brake Fluid
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Here, I found this at StopTech's site.
Carroll Smith wrote the first part, that's good enough
for me.
Bogus, thanks for the correction on the name,
'Valvoline SynPower.' It is synthetic, but I always
get the actual name wrong.
.
Carroll Smith wrote the first part, that's good enough
for me.
Bogus, thanks for the correction on the name,
'Valvoline SynPower.' It is synthetic, but I always
get the actual name wrong.
.
FYI: Carroll passed away a few months ago...
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
I use Valvoline synpower in my clutch, does that count?
Seriously, though, any reputable brand (and probably most non-reputable ones) are fine for street driving as long as your WBP is high enough (DOT 3). If your fluid is fairly fresh and recently bled then most likely any sponginess or fade is a function of something else - pads, low fluid, etc. I've never heard of one brake fluid degrading or absorbing water significantly faster than another. I have heard, however, that fluid stored in a metal can will stay fresher longer on the shelf than a plastic bottle once opened.
Once you get into road racing or lapping you have a new set of requirements. Although I still think the WBP is more important that DBP for most of us - I bleed but certainly do not flush my entire system after each event.
I use Super blue even though there are others out there now with higher WBP (everyone here loves the Castrol). However, I've never had an issue boiling this stuff, and the color is great. I switch between blue and yellow and know when the old fluid is completely out.
Seriously, though, any reputable brand (and probably most non-reputable ones) are fine for street driving as long as your WBP is high enough (DOT 3). If your fluid is fairly fresh and recently bled then most likely any sponginess or fade is a function of something else - pads, low fluid, etc. I've never heard of one brake fluid degrading or absorbing water significantly faster than another. I have heard, however, that fluid stored in a metal can will stay fresher longer on the shelf than a plastic bottle once opened.
Once you get into road racing or lapping you have a new set of requirements. Although I still think the WBP is more important that DBP for most of us - I bleed but certainly do not flush my entire system after each event.
I use Super blue even though there are others out there now with higher WBP (everyone here loves the Castrol). However, I've never had an issue boiling this stuff, and the color is great. I switch between blue and yellow and know when the old fluid is completely out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 830
Likes: 2
From: VA
I also use ATE fluid. I've used it in street, autocross, track, and race applications and never had any trouble. I'm not even as religious about bleeding my brakes as most people, and really never have any fade issues even when racing (and I do use the brakes hard).
Like ScaryFast, I keep both the blue and yellow on hand. That way, its easier to do a complete flush if I want to.
One thing I will say, is that I don't like to open a can and let it sit around forever. I don't really have a hard and fast rule, but I know that if I find a can that's partially full from last year, I'll throw it out (or use it for street only). Even though its in a metal can, I still think it gets some moisture in it while sitting there once the seal is broken.
Like ScaryFast, I keep both the blue and yellow on hand. That way, its easier to do a complete flush if I want to.
One thing I will say, is that I don't like to open a can and let it sit around forever. I don't really have a hard and fast rule, but I know that if I find a can that's partially full from last year, I'll throw it out (or use it for street only). Even though its in a metal can, I still think it gets some moisture in it while sitting there once the seal is broken.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
You've gotten lots of info already...
Remember to tempered it by the other equipment in the brake system which also has specific requirements/restrictions.
I believe the ABS/ASR unit in later model C4's (for sure in our 1994) specifically states "DO NOT USE DOT 5 SILICONE BREAK FLUID" as damage can result.
For what it's worth, I have always used and been happy with Castrol DOT 4 LMA brake fluid (But did instead use GM's clutch fluid).
Remember to tempered it by the other equipment in the brake system which also has specific requirements/restrictions.
I believe the ABS/ASR unit in later model C4's (for sure in our 1994) specifically states "DO NOT USE DOT 5 SILICONE BREAK FLUID" as damage can result.
For what it's worth, I have always used and been happy with Castrol DOT 4 LMA brake fluid (But did instead use GM's clutch fluid).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
that link didn't mention another dot 5.1 advantage: most (not all) are thinner viscosity than dot 3/4 fluids, so ABS systems cycle slightly faster. not sure if it's enough difference to matter, though.
-michael
-michael
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by ScaryFast
I use Valvoline synpower in my clutch, does that count?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
Lpe Recommends this:
[IMG]
[/IMG]
and Lpe writes this on thier website:
"Under heavy use your brake fluid can become hot enough to actually boil. To help prevent this problem LPE suggests upgrading to a higher temperature brake fluid. On ABS equipped cars or any vehicle that sees hard use, the brake fluid should be regularly replaced. Once the fluid has absorbed moisture, the boiling temperature will be reduced and the possibility for corrosion of the brake lines and master cylinder will exist. Racing fluids are not recommended for street use because of their tendency to absorb moisture more rapidly. For street and light track use, LPE recommends the Ford HD brake fluid. For road racing where the fluid will be changed frequently, the Castrol SRF should be used. ".
[IMG]
[/IMG] and Lpe writes this on thier website:
"Under heavy use your brake fluid can become hot enough to actually boil. To help prevent this problem LPE suggests upgrading to a higher temperature brake fluid. On ABS equipped cars or any vehicle that sees hard use, the brake fluid should be regularly replaced. Once the fluid has absorbed moisture, the boiling temperature will be reduced and the possibility for corrosion of the brake lines and master cylinder will exist. Racing fluids are not recommended for street use because of their tendency to absorb moisture more rapidly. For street and light track use, LPE recommends the Ford HD brake fluid. For road racing where the fluid will be changed frequently, the Castrol SRF should be used. ".
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
Originally Posted by bogus
So do I! Infact, thats why I bought SynPower in the first place, for the clutch, but I use it in the brakes now, too.
But synpower is for the clutch only. I use a man's brake fluid for stopping purposes
Now if you could just come by and figure out why my car is spark knocking we'd be all set.
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