Which brake fluid should I use?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Houston Texas
Which brake fluid should I use?
I have a '99 coupe with 20K on it. My brake fluid is black and needs to be changed. What brake fluid do you recommend I use. I don't race my car, but do drive it aggressive some on the street.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: BLMVOR R160 [] HOCVOR R305 Switzerland BL
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (rschiltz)
Richard,
Having looking for all available comparisons, that meant price ..//.. performance, it was obvious to me that ==>MOTUL RBF600<<== might be the very best (compromise). More precisely, on a technical base, this product is second-best. The KING of BrakeFluid IS the allmighty CASTROL SRF, but the price is also "best". I bought some stock of MOTUL RBF600 by DRM http://www.dougrippie.com/ (call Peter, they ask USD16 1 pint) to totally flushout my GM stock fluid.
DRM-quote => "This is a 100% synthetic (not silicone) fluid. It has a very high dry boiling point of 585°F and more importantly its wet is at 421°F. Can be used for street or competition brakes systems made from steel or carbon materials". Satisfied? Convincing?
Whilst you could imagine the ever present winding roads in my home-country, where real spirited driving of this C5 comes to an outrageous pleasure and learning experience, your brakes, not only the Driver, are highly demanded. So it goes for the Brake Fluid. For peace of mind, MOTUL could be your final choice.
Joe. Save the Wave.
Having looking for all available comparisons, that meant price ..//.. performance, it was obvious to me that ==>MOTUL RBF600<<== might be the very best (compromise). More precisely, on a technical base, this product is second-best. The KING of BrakeFluid IS the allmighty CASTROL SRF, but the price is also "best". I bought some stock of MOTUL RBF600 by DRM http://www.dougrippie.com/ (call Peter, they ask USD16 1 pint) to totally flushout my GM stock fluid.
DRM-quote => "This is a 100% synthetic (not silicone) fluid. It has a very high dry boiling point of 585°F and more importantly its wet is at 421°F. Can be used for street or competition brakes systems made from steel or carbon materials". Satisfied? Convincing?
Whilst you could imagine the ever present winding roads in my home-country, where real spirited driving of this C5 comes to an outrageous pleasure and learning experience, your brakes, not only the Driver, are highly demanded. So it goes for the Brake Fluid. For peace of mind, MOTUL could be your final choice.
Joe. Save the Wave.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,504
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From: Sausalito CA
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (rschiltz)
Hi...
This also came from DRM's site:
Brand Wet Boiling Point Dry Boiling point (in Farenheight (sp))
Castrol SRF: 518 590
Motul 600: 421 585
AP-600: 410 572
ATE Super Blue: 392 536
Valvoline: 333 513
Castrol LMA: 311 446
Ford HD: 290 550
Wilwood 570: 284 570
PFC-Z Rated: 584 550
AP-550: 284 550
I have been using Ford High Performance SD. About $5 a pint. I think it is the bang for the buck. Otherwise Motul 600 is usally ready available but more expensive.
Kenny
This also came from DRM's site:
Brand Wet Boiling Point Dry Boiling point (in Farenheight (sp))
Castrol SRF: 518 590
Motul 600: 421 585
AP-600: 410 572
ATE Super Blue: 392 536
Valvoline: 333 513
Castrol LMA: 311 446
Ford HD: 290 550
Wilwood 570: 284 570
PFC-Z Rated: 584 550
AP-550: 284 550
I have been using Ford High Performance SD. About $5 a pint. I think it is the bang for the buck. Otherwise Motul 600 is usally ready available but more expensive.
Kenny
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (Kenny94945)
It's the wet number that matters. The dry number is gone in weeks, months at most. I like the Ford for best bang for the buck with often full flushes. If leaving it in for a while, I like ATE or Motul. I have heard the SRF wet point will hold for a long time, but at over $60.00 a pint I can't bring myself to find out.
Decent brake fluid testing strips available at http://www.acustrip.com
Decent brake fluid testing strips available at http://www.acustrip.com
Safety Car
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From: Tampa, FL
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Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (rschiltz)
I would highly recommed the Motul 600. Check out Rage Performance.com
Cecil :cheers:
Cecil :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Longwood Fl
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (rschiltz)
Read This! Understanding Brake Fluid http://www.rpmnet.com/techart/fluid.shtml
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,333
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From: USA
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (rschiltz)
I have used the following fluids for street and track and all are very good.
1. Ford
2. Valvoline syntec (synthetic dot 4 can be purchased at many parts stores
for about $7 per quart)
3. Castrol dot 4 LMA (sold at most parts stores for $6 per quart).
For your type of driving, these are more than adequate. Do not waste your money on the expensive fluids.
Dave
1. Ford
2. Valvoline syntec (synthetic dot 4 can be purchased at many parts stores
for about $7 per quart)
3. Castrol dot 4 LMA (sold at most parts stores for $6 per quart).
For your type of driving, these are more than adequate. Do not waste your money on the expensive fluids.
Dave
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Le Mans Master
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From: Sausalito CA
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (Viprklr)
Hi again,
I have found Motul at (japanese brand) motorcycle shops.
As for bleed..easiest way. Buy a bleeding tool @$50. Yes easiest is to remove the wheels. Else as I recall the rears are easy to bleed with the wheels on car. Fronts can be done with wheels on.
Also...one last .02. GM states to use Dot 3.
Kenny
I have found Motul at (japanese brand) motorcycle shops.
As for bleed..easiest way. Buy a bleeding tool @$50. Yes easiest is to remove the wheels. Else as I recall the rears are easy to bleed with the wheels on car. Fronts can be done with wheels on.
Also...one last .02. GM states to use Dot 3.
Kenny
Burning Brakes
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From: DFW tx
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (Viprklr)
What is the easiest way to change fluid. Guess I'll have to remove all four wheels and bleed them individually. :confused:
Use a bird baster to remove as much of the old brake fluid as possible, add the new fluid to the master cylinder. Start at the passenger rear, then driver rear, passenger front, driver front. Pump the brake at each corner until the fluid is clean and flushed. Do not let the fluid in the master run low or you will have to bleed the master cylinder.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Wilmington NC
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (rschiltz)
How many bottles of brake fluid does a C5 take?
Thanks,
Thanks,
I use Super Blue from: http://www.thelapd.com (A Forum sponsor)
A 1 liter bottle is more than enough for a cmplete change over. I first heard about Super Blue from the BMW guys. It seems to have a good balance between high performance and longevity. It's a German product.
Le Mans Master
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Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (Richin Chicago)
I guess the German stuff comes in litre bottles.. I flushed mine 2 weeks ago with Valvoline DOT4. A 1 QUART bottle ($5 at Kragen) was just about enough to flush the entire system.
The C5 service manual has a short section on flushing the brake system. They also say about 1 quart will be required.
The C5 service manual has a short section on flushing the brake system. They also say about 1 quart will be required.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 211
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From: Midland MI
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (Richin Chicago)
Since the C5 comes with GM's standard DOT3 brake fluid in it, can it be easily switched over to DOT4 or even DOT5 (silicone ) brake fluid?
Is this stuff like motor oils in that you don't want to mix brands? How often should the system be flushed under normal driving conditions? :confused:
Is this stuff like motor oils in that you don't want to mix brands? How often should the system be flushed under normal driving conditions? :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,521
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From: Gilbert, AZ, USA
Re: Which brake fluid should I use? (Nekbyter)
Dot3 and Dot4 can be freely intermixed, Dot5 Silicone is completely different and will not work in systems designed for Dot3/4. You can mix different brand fluids without problems, (there's nothing wrong with mixing engine oils either). I'd say flush once a year if you drive it hard at all, otherwise once every 2 years is about the longest safe interval. My Honda dealer goes by mileage, every 30k. With my driving habits, that's ok, but it needs to be based on time, not mileage.
I use the Ford fluid, and flush at least once a year. it costs under $4 a can locally, and the dry number is what I'm concerned with, as I don't drive hard on the street at all, and I bleed before the track.
I use the stainless steel Speedbleeders, they work well, make it an easy one person job. Follow the directions, don't loosen more than 1/4 turn, or air can backflow. otherwise, a $35 dollar Mityvac suction bleeder from any auto parts store works well too.
Sam
I use the Ford fluid, and flush at least once a year. it costs under $4 a can locally, and the dry number is what I'm concerned with, as I don't drive hard on the street at all, and I bleed before the track.
I use the stainless steel Speedbleeders, they work well, make it an easy one person job. Follow the directions, don't loosen more than 1/4 turn, or air can backflow. otherwise, a $35 dollar Mityvac suction bleeder from any auto parts store works well too.
Sam
