I am considering a track day in my base coupe.

The website says to use high temp brake fluid.
My research indicates there are three grades - DOT 3,4, and 5.1 ( apparently DOT 5 is silicone based and not compatible with these others).

I'm seeking info and new to high perf cars so , please , just help with specifics.

I asked my service manager what grade comes in base 2016 vettes.
He seemed to believe it is DOT 4.

Is he right?

If not, if 4 OK to use or should I go to 5.1?.

The track day is 4x30 minute sessions.
I don't plan to push the limits - first timer.

In another thread I wrote folks seemed to think DOT 4 was OK year round. If it is standard in the vette that makes sense.
What about 5.1?

 

If you have the pads that are made for the track leave the dot 3 r 4 they are the same are can mix them. But the other will do damage in the long run IF YOU don't get all of the old stuff out of the car and the line before you put the silicone into the car.

Plus the silicone stuff will eat the paint off the car are anything else it gets onto. Robert

 

The silicon brake fluid will not damage the paint but regular fluid will. However, back to the question. Silicon fluid should only be used in cars without ABS which means in cars older than the mid 80s. It isn't a peformance fluid and has a problem with aeration. In collector cars without ABS it is fine.

There are many levels of DOT3 and DOT4 fluids. There are some DOT3 fluids that will outperform the standard DOT4 fluids that you get at the local auto parts store.

Ford DOT3 fluid is one of them. It has a 500 degree dry boiling point. You don't care about the wet boiling point because you only change the fluid a week or less before the event. There are many run of the mill DOT4s that don't have that level of dry boiling temp.

Wilwood 570 is a DOT3 fluid with a 570 dry boiling point while Wilwood EXP 600 has a 594 dry boiling point and is a DOT4. It is equivalent to Castrol SRF as far as dry boiling point and less costly. Again dry boiling point is what you need to think about.

There are several other fluids out there that will work well on the track. However, for a first timer that has relatively thick pads at the beginning and is on street tires it is highly likely you can get away with anything that is 500 deg or higher. You just will not be going that fast as a newbie. You need to learn how to drive first. That isn't an insult but it is true. People who have never done this before do not know how to drive and it takes a day or two with an instructor and some classroom time to learn how to drive on a track.

I have ridden with many a novice who drove slower on the track (with all traffic going in the same direction) than they did on the two lane 55 mph speed limited road they drove on to get to the track. 50 mph up the back stretch at the Glen with a death grip on the wheel. Not realizing they are going at 1/3 the speed that experienced drivers are running. Usually they are past this stage by the time they start their second day.

Bill

 

I use Motul 5.1 brake fluid in my Z51. I run it all year. so far so good. I drained my oem fluid and added the 5.1 fluid.

It will mix fine with the stock fluid

 

First of all, it sounds like you are a newbie to tracking; not a problem. Your first couple of times out you will be learning track line, braking, car balance, flags and passing just to mention a few items. As a HPDE instructor, I preach smoothness and accuracy first; speed will come naturally.

Keep in mind that your base car does not have the same performance track pads of the Z51 so brake fade due to overheating brake pads should also be a concern. Also the base car does not have front or rear brake cooling air ducts.

Bottom line; save your money. The best bang for your buck is WalMart Prestone Dot 4 brake fluid. It has a decent dry temp and cost less than 4 bucks for 12 Oz. I'm on the track an average of 2 to 3 weekends a month taking my students for a demo/instructional ride a couple of sessions each day and have never had an over heating issue with my brakes.

Have fun, keep the rubber side down

 

If you have never done a track day, 98% safe to say the stock brake setup (pads, rotors, fluid) will get you by...

....as you start doing more events and getting faster, the fluid WILL need upgraded.

Good fluid upgrade choices include ATE, Torque, Castrol SRF, or Endless.

 

Not to mention that to use DOT 5 fluid all of the seals, and lines have to be able to accept it which the OEM calipers and master cylinder do not.

 

I agree with that to a point......

brakes are a safety thing, so spending some money on good fluid and getting into the habit of bleeding your brakes on a regular basis will not only build good habits but also make sure the system stays operating like it should be.

I don't think he needs slicks, race pads, and a BBK right now but fluids and even stainless lines should be done if for nothing else....getting into the motions of taking care of a car that sees the track.

You will learn the limits of the car and yourself soon enough, just make sure it isn't a part failure that puts the car on the trailer.

 

all good feedback....thanks.

Nobody has said what fluid comes stock with a base vette - i.e. not Z51 or ZO6.

Is it DOT4 like the service manager said - he was waffling a little so that's why I am checking here

 

I think they have moved to a DOT 4 fluid.....to what spec that fluid is, I don't know.

Do keep this in mind, brake fluid will take on water, and by doing so lower the boiling point of the fluid. Again why it is good practice to bleed on a regular basis when tracking the car.

 

If you have ever taken the assembly tour at BG, you have noticed that there is only one brake fluid tank....all cars use the same. Dot 3 works just fine for street driving, auto-X and light track work.

Keep in mind that the higher the brake fluid temp ratings are, the shorter the life span. The higher temp fluids will pull moisture faster, turn darker sooner and need to be changed more frequently.

 

Definitely DOT3 up through 2016. If you have a 2017, check the manual, its in there.

 

Stock hydraulic fluid is:

• DOT 3 for the brake system
  
• DOT 4 for the clutch

.

 

Lots of good input here by experienced drivers (Bill Dearborne in particular), but, for what it's worth, I would not go with stock brake fluid. Why take chances? My first track day, I didn't change my brake fluid ... and I managed to boil it. Luckily, when the pedal turned to mush I had room to deal with it. Next time out I used Motul. Now I prefer Wilwood EXP 600.

 

Has anybody tried the Wilwood 570?

 

I use Motul rbf600 in all the C7's I prep.

 

Same here. Annnnnnd im due for a flush lol

 

I use Motul RBF 600

 

If I'm not mistaken,these folks make the GM Super Dot 4 fluid.


For street use.I use it for brake & clutch fluid.

\db2

 

Sheesh... silicone does NOT eat paint but all else does! But, silicone is NOT for racing.