I didn't even catch that. I guess I would make a terrible proof reader or editor. 
Changing brake fluid
Safety Car
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From: Dalllas/Ft Worth Area TX
Team Owner
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Premium Supporting Vendor
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From: King George VA
I end up changing mine for the track at every event as I want to keep my boiling point as high as possible. There is a pretty good graphic on this page for AMSOIL DOT 3 brake fluid that shows what happens to the boiling point over time (note that I use their DOT 4 for the track):
AMSOIL Series 500 High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid
AMSOIL Series 500 High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid
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C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
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AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs CO
I follow the maintenance interval from the Nissan and Acura owner's manuals I have. They both say change brake fluid at 3 yrs regardless of mileage. Rusting out the brake master cylinder (from water built up in the brake fluid) is rather costly. Why doesn't GM put this maintenance item in their owner's manual? Beats me. Do they have non-hygroscopic fluid? Doubt that. Maybe it's a way to sell more GM brake parts down the line. The procedure itself is straight-forward. I was intimidated the first time I did it, but with all the help out there on the internet, it was easy. Just follow directions (like the order of bleeding the lines...it's not always the furthest bleeder valve away from the master cylinder first.) Of course, if you trade your car within 5 yrs, you can "follow the owner's manual" and let it be someone else's problem later...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,189
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From: Northwest Arkansas
Yes...juts don't pump the pedal with the lid off or the tank empty.
I did this on my ranger first lol. I sucked out and re-filled the reservoir with fresh brake fluid every three days or so or until the fluid "browned" up. I used a tall bottle of fluid. After about 2/3rd bottle the fluid stayed clean. Truck had 60k on it and it made a huge difference in pedal modulation.
I did it in the Vette at 15k...tall bottle just because....
I did this on my ranger first lol. I sucked out and re-filled the reservoir with fresh brake fluid every three days or so or until the fluid "browned" up. I used a tall bottle of fluid. After about 2/3rd bottle the fluid stayed clean. Truck had 60k on it and it made a huge difference in pedal modulation.
I did it in the Vette at 15k...tall bottle just because....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Northwest Arkansas
Thanks
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Glassboro New Jersey
Last edited by Marc V.; Jan 23, 2010 at 02:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,250
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From: Glassboro New Jersey
Any name brand brake fluid is good for everyday use.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Buena Park CA
Uh oh, looks like I'll have to change my fluid this year as it's my 3rd year of ownership.....but, I'll upgrade the braking system with Z06's at the same time. Thanks for reminding me.....more money to spend that must be done...
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Dalllas/Ft Worth Area TX
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,599
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From: Whittier CA
What do others think about the "Turkey Baster" method (changing the brake fluid by pulling it from the reservoir with a turkey baster)???
I have never heard of doing this and find it interesting, especially if you want to save a little money...
Thoughts???
I have never heard of doing this and find it interesting, especially if you want to save a little money...
Thoughts???
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,642
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From: Dalllas/Ft Worth Area TX
Purpose!
It is to start out with clean fluid coming out of the master cylinder to the individual wheel cylinders, remember to refill with clean fluid before starting to bleed.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,535
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
If you decide to do it, buy a "Mixer Miser" at Walmart. It's by the gas cans. Cost is $3 and it's much better than a turkey baster. I have one for the Ranger clutch fluid change method.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: South Carolina
Even if it wasn't compatible the transfer would be minimum as I am only using the syringe to pull the fluid. I pour the new fluid with a funnel.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: King George VA
- DOT 3 and DOT 4 are compatible as they use the same base fluid - independent of vendor. I use the turkey baster method all the time. For example, a few weeks ago I sucked out the GM stock fluid in my wife's Trailblazer and added AMSOIL's DOT 3 fluid.
- There is a big difference in the fluids of various vendors. Best bet is to compare wet and dry boiling points. The minimum dry boiling point for DOT 3 brake fluid is no less than 401°F, and the minimum wet boiling point is 284°F. The wet number is probably a better comparison point for most street cars given how long the fluid sits in the car, but for the track I normally would consider the dry boiling point as most track day guys bleed their brakes very often. As a comparison to the above minimums for DOT 3, the AMSOIL DOT 3 has a dry boiling point of 525F and a wet boiling point of 313F.
- If you can't find a local vendor, I can buy via AMSOIL and have it shipped directly to you. PM me if interested and I'll give you the best price possible.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 622
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From: UNION CITY TENNESSEE
It can't hurt anything, although it won't provide as much benefit as the Ranger clutch fluid procedure since the brake fluid does not circulate - it only goes "back and forth".
If you decide to do it, buy a "Mixer Miser" at Walmart. It's by the gas cans. Cost is $3 and it's much better than a turkey baster. I have one for the Ranger clutch fluid change method.
If you decide to do it, buy a "Mixer Miser" at Walmart. It's by the gas cans. Cost is $3 and it's much better than a turkey baster. I have one for the Ranger clutch fluid change method.
