DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
Has anyone ever used DOT 5.1?
If so where can you buy it and would you recommend it to others?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5.1
If so where can you buy it and would you recommend it to others?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5.1
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
I was mainly thinking for the clutch, as it has no fluid right now.
Also What about the higher boiling point then DOT 3?
I also doubt the brake fluid has ever been replaced.
Also What about the higher boiling point then DOT 3?
I also doubt the brake fluid has ever been replaced.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 2
From: Cheltenham, England
The clutch fluid wont heat up anywhere near as much as the brake system fluid will, (at the calipers) as has been pointed out DOT 3 is prescribed for both so there really wouldn't be any advantage to go with 5.1
Save your money and put it towards a tank of gas
Save your money and put it towards a tank of gas
Last edited by ricasso; Aug 1, 2014 at 04:28 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 648
Likes: 6
From: weems va
Has anyone ever used DOT 5.1?
If so where can you buy it and would you recommend it to others?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5.1
If so where can you buy it and would you recommend it to others?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5.1
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
For the clutch fluid, any quality DOT3 brake fluid will work fine.
For brake fluid, DOT3 will work for street use an even for autocross. Castrol LMA or the Ford Motorsports HD fluid will work fine. These fluids are not expensive, and come in small cans so there is no large amounts of waste from buying quart-size containers.
A good DOT4 fluid is ATE Typ200. ATE used to make "Super Blue" fluid but for whatever reason the federal government decided that brake fluid with a blue color was not what they wanted to see. TYP200 is the same fluid as the old Super Blue but with out the blue coloring. This fluid has a wet boiling point of nearly 400 degrees.
If you think the brake fluid has never been changed, I would suggest that you replace the brake hoses at the same time.
For brake fluid, DOT3 will work for street use an even for autocross. Castrol LMA or the Ford Motorsports HD fluid will work fine. These fluids are not expensive, and come in small cans so there is no large amounts of waste from buying quart-size containers.
A good DOT4 fluid is ATE Typ200. ATE used to make "Super Blue" fluid but for whatever reason the federal government decided that brake fluid with a blue color was not what they wanted to see. TYP200 is the same fluid as the old Super Blue but with out the blue coloring. This fluid has a wet boiling point of nearly 400 degrees.
If you think the brake fluid has never been changed, I would suggest that you replace the brake hoses at the same time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,388
Likes: 6,530
From: Melbourne, FL
I've just gone down the path of replacing brakes in my car (mainly a track car). THere's 2 schools of thought here, the "money is no object" crowd, and the more realistic "I've never boiled this fluid crowd.
I boiled the fluid in my car, and nearly had a very bad day on the track. SO I replaced just about everything for the fronts, I'm leaving the rear brakes alone minus new hoses and fluids. A lot of guys run the Motul stuff, it's great fluid. A lot of other guys run the Valvoline synthetic you can buy at most parts stores for 8 bucks a bottle and also, never boil their fluids. It's a DOT3/4 and works great - I run it on my DD as well as my race car.
IMO, the key thing is fresh brake fluid. The boiling point on it drops dramatically after a year, so IMO unless you are really just killing it in a full out race car, a good quality DO 3/4 changed regularly is going to be better than spending $70 a can on super crazy stuff.
My father buys some uber expensive German made stuff for his 911. It's no longer a performance benefit there, it's simply a "look how expensive and thus good this stuff must be".
I boiled the fluid in my car, and nearly had a very bad day on the track. SO I replaced just about everything for the fronts, I'm leaving the rear brakes alone minus new hoses and fluids. A lot of guys run the Motul stuff, it's great fluid. A lot of other guys run the Valvoline synthetic you can buy at most parts stores for 8 bucks a bottle and also, never boil their fluids. It's a DOT3/4 and works great - I run it on my DD as well as my race car.
IMO, the key thing is fresh brake fluid. The boiling point on it drops dramatically after a year, so IMO unless you are really just killing it in a full out race car, a good quality DO 3/4 changed regularly is going to be better than spending $70 a can on super crazy stuff.
My father buys some uber expensive German made stuff for his 911. It's no longer a performance benefit there, it's simply a "look how expensive and thus good this stuff must be".
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 2
Super blue was very nice fluid! but about that clutch fluid not heating thing. If you only drive on street then it doesn't matter what you use as long as it's fresh. But if you race you might want to upgrade. I boiled normal dot 5.1 clutch fluids when I was road racing. Long tubes and my cats heat up the clutch fluid line and the slave cylinder. Heat wrapped it and changed to better fluids
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Dot 3 or dot 4 will work well with your brakes and clutch. Dot 4 as mentioned will have a higher boiling point. Dot 5 is used mainly in performance (race) applications. It is very hard to bleed correctly because it tends to trap air. It is not compatable with dot 3 or 4 fluids. All remaing dot 3 or 4 fluid needs to be thoroughly bled out before dot 5 can be used..
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 554
From: Glenbeulah Wi
Dot 3 or dot 4 will work well with your brakes and clutch. Dot 4 as mentioned will have a higher boiling point. Dot 5 is used mainly in performance (race) applications. It is very hard to bleed correctly because it tends to trap air. It is not compatable with dot 3 or 4 fluids. All remaing dot 3 or 4 fluid needs to be thoroughly bled out before dot 5 can be used..
Dot 5 is not compatable with Dot 3 or 4 so the system must be cleaned very well before you add in Dot 5 fluid. I would just use a good Dot 4 fluid if you want extra protection.I just learned something, sorry for the above comment, I see that DOT 5.1 is compatable with DOT 3 and DOT 4. I guess you could use it for the extra protection.
Last edited by bjankuski; Aug 1, 2014 at 10:51 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
I like the Castrol Dot 4 LMA fluid. Temp. rated at 446 deg. F.
Be sure you don't use Dot 5 in your brakes if you have ABS!
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Aug 1, 2014 at 03:05 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 554
From: Glenbeulah Wi
Research dot 5.1 fluid
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
one, DOT 5 is not compatible with ABS; it's too viscous
two, for any NON ABS system, brake or clutch DOT 5 silicon based fluid is vastly superior; silicon preserves your brake / hydraulic seals; ever wonder why glycol DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid turns black? That black used to part of your seal.
I use DOT 5 for everything, I bleed out the old stuff as best I can; never had compatability issues; in non abs brakes, it has a higher boiling point, preserves the seals...and for what it's worth, silicon based brake fluid does not harm paint.
And I use it in the clutch of my 96...works great.
two, for any NON ABS system, brake or clutch DOT 5 silicon based fluid is vastly superior; silicon preserves your brake / hydraulic seals; ever wonder why glycol DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid turns black? That black used to part of your seal.
I use DOT 5 for everything, I bleed out the old stuff as best I can; never had compatability issues; in non abs brakes, it has a higher boiling point, preserves the seals...and for what it's worth, silicon based brake fluid does not harm paint.
And I use it in the clutch of my 96...works great.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 2
From: Cheltenham, England
I suppose it depends on what you use your Vette for, if its serious track work only then maybe the higher spec is needed but for street use, (even fast street use) 3 or 4 will be more than adequate, I've never understood why Harley recommend 5, my FXST aint that quick!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
But alas, the oil thread opinions are in full swing once again.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
I decided to use dot 4 due to the price difference as (here at least) DOT5.1 is $30 a quart, and dot 4 is about $8 a quart.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
So let me understand your intentions more clearly.
Are we to assume you had clutch problems and had replaced the MC? Then asking for fluid advice?
Or had you experienced problems with old aged fluid and just drained the old fluid?
The last of which i wouldn't advise.
Are we to assume you had clutch problems and had replaced the MC? Then asking for fluid advice?
Or had you experienced problems with old aged fluid and just drained the old fluid?
The last of which i wouldn't advise.