Dot 3 brake fluid
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 120
Likes: 15
From: Union wa.
Dot 3 brake fluid
Anyone hear about the delco dot 3 recall ? For particles in fluid? Does this mean since I just flushed my brake system I have to do it again? If so what to use? Ugh thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 367
From: Iowa
You'd need to have the old container and see what the lot number is to know whether it was the affected batch or not.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...l/89982556007/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...l/89982556007/
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Our 2017 Z51 came with DOT3 and marked on the reservoir cap. By 2019 they had switched to DOT4 and that's what the cap on those ones says.
DOT3 and 4 are compatible and can be mixed, so you can just switch to DOT4 and you should be fine. Stay away from any of the other DOT specs.
DOT4 has a higher boiling point than DOT3 but absorbs moisture from the air more quickly which reduces the boiling point after a while.
The DOT specs are minimums and there is a huge variation in actual boiling points of different brands, but I've heard it said that a typical DOT4 and DOT3 will be about equal after 2-3 years in the car.
Since I do autocross and occasional track time in our car, I just get a DOT4 flush every Spring. Also spent a few bucks and got the DOT4 cap for our car, in case someone needs to add fluid when on a road trip.
DOT3 and 4 are compatible and can be mixed, so you can just switch to DOT4 and you should be fine. Stay away from any of the other DOT specs.
DOT4 has a higher boiling point than DOT3 but absorbs moisture from the air more quickly which reduces the boiling point after a while.
The DOT specs are minimums and there is a huge variation in actual boiling points of different brands, but I've heard it said that a typical DOT4 and DOT3 will be about equal after 2-3 years in the car.
Since I do autocross and occasional track time in our car, I just get a DOT4 flush every Spring. Also spent a few bucks and got the DOT4 cap for our car, in case someone needs to add fluid when on a road trip.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; May 9, 2026 at 11:31 AM. Reason: Added last sentence about getting DOT4 reservoir cap.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 367
From: Iowa
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 367
From: Iowa
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,256
Likes: 4,745
From: SE WI
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/05...o-brake-fluid/
If you flushed it recently, it's very doubtful your brake fluid was from 2022.
"GM is recalling 40,440 containers of ACDelco GMW DOT 3 brake and clutch fluid after federal regulators found visible sediment that could reduce braking performance.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected product is ACDelco GMW DOT 3 Brake Fluid, part number 19353126, produced between October 19th, 2022 and December 28th, 2022. The recall applies specifically to bottles from lot number 01977 091222. General Motors assigned the action recall number N262552830."
If you flushed it recently, it's very doubtful your brake fluid was from 2022.
"GM is recalling 40,440 containers of ACDelco GMW DOT 3 brake and clutch fluid after federal regulators found visible sediment that could reduce braking performance.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected product is ACDelco GMW DOT 3 Brake Fluid, part number 19353126, produced between October 19th, 2022 and December 28th, 2022. The recall applies specifically to bottles from lot number 01977 091222. General Motors assigned the action recall number N262552830."
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St. Jude Donor '25
Go with DOT4
