Another Brake/Clutch Fluid Question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 1,657
From: Arizona
Another Brake/Clutch Fluid Question
2013 C6 Z06. I am about to Ranger out the old fluids from the resevoirs and replace with new fluids (only in the reservoirs). I understand Brake Fluid calls for DOT 3 while the Hydraulic Clutch called for DOT 4. From the manual:
Hydraulic Brakes
Dot 3 88862806
Hydraulic Clutch
Dot 4 88958860
Super Dot 4 Brake Fluid
Nowhere did I read ANYTHING in the manual about "synthetic" fluid, if it is safe to use or not. And I think this needs to be very clear.
CAN I USED A DOT 3/4 SYNTHETIC FOR BOTH?
I have Valvoline Synthetic 3 & 4 Brake Fluid.
"Recommended for all ABS, Disc and Drum Brake Systems Requiring Dot 3 or Dot 4 Fluids."
And I have Prestone Synthetic Dot 4 "Fot all Dot 3 & 4 ABS Disc & Drum Brake Systems."
Can I Ranger out the old and replace with new
YES or NO.
My Clutch Master Cylinder is a line width above the MINIMUM line. Is this where it needs to be or is it LOW? The manual is retarded wording when it comes to filling it.
Thanks in advance.
Hydraulic Brakes
Dot 3 88862806
Hydraulic Clutch
Dot 4 88958860
Super Dot 4 Brake Fluid
Nowhere did I read ANYTHING in the manual about "synthetic" fluid, if it is safe to use or not. And I think this needs to be very clear.
CAN I USED A DOT 3/4 SYNTHETIC FOR BOTH?
I have Valvoline Synthetic 3 & 4 Brake Fluid.
"Recommended for all ABS, Disc and Drum Brake Systems Requiring Dot 3 or Dot 4 Fluids."
And I have Prestone Synthetic Dot 4 "Fot all Dot 3 & 4 ABS Disc & Drum Brake Systems."
Can I Ranger out the old and replace with new
YES or NO.
My Clutch Master Cylinder is a line width above the MINIMUM line. Is this where it needs to be or is it LOW? The manual is retarded wording when it comes to filling it.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by WICKEDFRC; May 20, 2018 at 04:49 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,277
Likes: 550
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
All brake fluids are synthetic. It would be best to use DOT 3 in the brakes and DOT 4 in the clutch, as you have noted. Although the level may be anywhere between Min and Max, most recommendations I've seen suggest halfway when filling.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 1,657
From: Arizona
So, avoid using a Dot 3 / Dot 4 blend? Use two separate fluids:
Dot 3 for Brakes
Dot 4 for Clutch
My apologies as I did not know all brake/clutch fluids were synthetic (outside Dot 5).
Dot 3 for Brakes
Dot 4 for Clutch
My apologies as I did not know all brake/clutch fluids were synthetic (outside Dot 5).
Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 566
Likes: 277
From: Amarillo TX
The primary difference between DOT 3 and 4 is boiling point, with 4 bring higher. Meaning it can absorb more heat before it boils. Which is a good thing. Running DOT 4 in your brake system won’t be a negative
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 1,657
From: Arizona
Thanks for clarifying.
I did look at rhe Dot 3 Boiling Point vs the Dot 4. Good difference. The weird thing is the Valvoline Dot 3/4 is higher than Dot 3 but lower then Dot 4.
If the Dot 4 is safe for both, then Dot 4 will be an all-around best bet to use while keeping the fluid to one selection; Dot 4.
I did look at rhe Dot 3 Boiling Point vs the Dot 4. Good difference. The weird thing is the Valvoline Dot 3/4 is higher than Dot 3 but lower then Dot 4.
If the Dot 4 is safe for both, then Dot 4 will be an all-around best bet to use while keeping the fluid to one selection; Dot 4.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
I use DOT 4 on both!
