[Z06] GM "Clutch Fluid" vs GM brake fluid in clutch?
04-04-2007, 02:30 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
GM "Clutch Fluid" vs GM brake fluid in clutch?
I just bought a bottle of GM Clutch ( It says "Clutch fluid" and nothing about brakes)fluid for $16. They sold GM brake fluid for about $7. I am guessing that there are additives in the GM clutch fluid that are needed in the clutch fluid that the brake fluid does not have? I did not want to take a chance and figured that if it came in the Z when new it was good enough for me as I do not race.
Why would they make a fluid JUST for the clutch and doesn't that mean you should not use brake fluid?
Why would they make a fluid JUST for the clutch and doesn't that mean you should not use brake fluid?
04-04-2007, 04:41 AM
#2
Pro
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Probably so they could charge you extra for brake fluid. 
I dunno, I'm always skeptical about stuff like this. The owner's manual and the cap on my actual clutch cylinder says DOT 3 on it, so I don't see why you couldn't go to Autozone (or the like) and purchase some quality brake fluid for your clutch cylinder. I've been doing it for years.
Mark
I dunno, I'm always skeptical about stuff like this. The owner's manual and the cap on my actual clutch cylinder says DOT 3 on it, so I don't see why you couldn't go to Autozone (or the like) and purchase some quality brake fluid for your clutch cylinder. I've been doing it for years.
Mark
04-04-2007, 06:01 AM
#3
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You can't go wrong using the GM part number specificied in the owner's manual for the clutch. The claim is that it contains a special additive that eliminates squeaking by the seals.
On my 01 and 02 Z06s I used Prestone DOT3 brake fluid and never had any squeaking noise.
The C5 spec was for DOT3; the C6 spec is for DOT4, for its higher heat tolerance. Because the price difference is minimal, good idea to run DOT4 in the C5s too. And DOT4 and DOT3 are compatible, so mixing them poses no problem.
Ranger
On my 01 and 02 Z06s I used Prestone DOT3 brake fluid and never had any squeaking noise.
The C5 spec was for DOT3; the C6 spec is for DOT4, for its higher heat tolerance. Because the price difference is minimal, good idea to run DOT4 in the C5s too. And DOT4 and DOT3 are compatible, so mixing them poses no problem.
Ranger
04-04-2007, 08:55 AM
#5
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
You can't go wrong using the GM part number specificied in the owner's manual for the clutch. The claim is that it contains a special additive that eliminates squeaking by the seals.
On my 01 and 02 Z06s I used Prestone DOT3 brake fluid and never had any squeaking noise.
The C5 spec was for DOT3; the C6 spec is for DOT4, for its higher heat tolerance. Because the price difference is minimal, good idea to run DOT4 in the C5s too. And DOT4 and DOT3 are compatible, so mixing them poses no problem.
Ranger
On my 01 and 02 Z06s I used Prestone DOT3 brake fluid and never had any squeaking noise.
The C5 spec was for DOT3; the C6 spec is for DOT4, for its higher heat tolerance. Because the price difference is minimal, good idea to run DOT4 in the C5s too. And DOT4 and DOT3 are compatible, so mixing them poses no problem.
Ranger
04-04-2007, 10:47 AM
#6
I heard you need to change the Dot 4 more often than the Dot 3 because it collects more moisture and condensation during colder weather...is this true? Thanks for the input!
Z06_Bob
Z06_Bob
04-04-2007, 10:57 AM
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My suggestion is to follow the clutch fluid protocol; doing this will entail frequent enough changes that the fluid will always be fresh.
If you drive at all aggressively, any fluid will degrade, and that is the origin of most pedal issues in Corvettes at near-stock power-levels, and clutch pedal issues spawn tranny issues.
Ranger
If you drive at all aggressively, any fluid will degrade, and that is the origin of most pedal issues in Corvettes at near-stock power-levels, and clutch pedal issues spawn tranny issues.
Ranger
Last edited by Ranger; 04-05-2007 at 09:57 PM.
04-05-2007, 09:54 PM
#8
Safety Car
After reading Ranger's helpful posts about changing the clutch fluid, I picked up some Prestone DOT4 at Wally World for like 3 bucks (small bottle). Takes a whole 5 minutes to do the swap...
If you didn't open up the bottle, return it and buy some Prestone DOT3 or 4. Use the extra cash for gas money...
If you didn't open up the bottle, return it and buy some Prestone DOT3 or 4. Use the extra cash for gas money...
04-06-2007, 10:28 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
If you read the GM clutch fluid bottle it says it is "DOT3 fluid with friction modifiers".
The reservoir only holds about 2 ounces, so you can refresh the reservoir 8 times with one bottle.
I have still been buying DOT 3 fluid for the brake reservoir, but the last time I was at Wal-Mart the inventory of DOT 3 was low, so I suspect that they will eventually only carry DOT 4.
The reservoir only holds about 2 ounces, so you can refresh the reservoir 8 times with one bottle.
I have still been buying DOT 3 fluid for the brake reservoir, but the last time I was at Wal-Mart the inventory of DOT 3 was low, so I suspect that they will eventually only carry DOT 4.
