Local source for brake fluid?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Amazon has a good selection of brake fluids including Motul fluids, the Castrol SRF, and ATE fluids. The Amazon price for the SRF is $63.50 for a 1 liter bottle. Figure on 5 days shipping.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Prestone doesn't make a DOT4 or 5 fluid with the high boiling points that would be required for high-speed events like HPDE or track days. Even their DOT4 fluid only has a wet boiling point of 311 degrees. That's the same as Castrol LMA or the Ford HD Motorsports fluid. Castrol SRF has a wet boiling point of 518 degrees. Motul 600 is another good fluid that will beat Prestone.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
Likes: 8
From: Seattle, WA
Prestone doesn't make a DOT4 or 5 fluid with the high boiling points that would be required for high-speed events like HPDE or track days. Even their DOT4 fluid only has a wet boiling point of 311 degrees. That's the same as Castrol LMA or the Ford HD Motorsports fluid. Castrol SRF has a wet boiling point of 518 degrees. Motul 600 is another good fluid that will beat Prestone.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 3
DOT4 Break fluid
I have been using the off the shelf DOT4 Break fluid from O'Reilly for HPDE days and thought I was covered. Are you saying that I am not using what I should be? I thought simple by the fact it was DOT4 Break fluid was good for high temp and I was covered.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
Likes: 8
From: Seattle, WA
My sentiment as well. Chevy engineered and spec'ed the car with the fluids in the owners manual. Did they not expect owners to drive their Z06s on the track?
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Not all DOT4 fluids will have the same boiling temps. Most off the shelf parts store fluids that are labeled as DOT4 will be on the low end of the temperature range.
Sure, the Corvette engineers spec'd a good fluid, but you have to figure that the great majority of Corvettes don't see track use and constant hard braking. Most people that do HPDE's/track days will not only upgrade to fluid with higher boiling points, but they will do a complete flush at least once per year. Those people will also bleed the calipers before each track day.
It's the same with pad selection; the Z06 pads are good, but there are a number of high performance pads that work better. These pads will generate more heat and do it quicker so a high temp fluid is a requirement.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 3
Thanks
I did check the off the shelf DOT4 fluid I have been using after reading this yesterday and sure enough its only good to 320. I do bleed the calipers before each track day and flush at least once per year or so.
Up to now I have not had an issue however I guess I will be now be looking for different fluid with a higher boil over rating. Thanks for pointing this out to me.
Up to now I have not had an issue however I guess I will be now be looking for different fluid with a higher boil over rating. Thanks for pointing this out to me.
If you experience boiling of the brake fluid under hard braking on a track, then going to a fluid with a higher boiling temp will help. Getting cooling air to the brakes will also help.
Not all DOT4 fluids will have the same boiling temps. Most off the shelf parts store fluids that are labeled as DOT4 will be on the low end of the temperature range.
Sure, the Corvette engineers spec'd a good fluid, but you have to figure that the great majority of Corvettes don't see track use and constant hard braking. Most people that do HPDE's/track days will not only upgrade to fluid with higher boiling points, but they will do a complete flush at least once per year. Those people will also bleed the calipers before each track day.
It's the same with pad selection; the Z06 pads are good, but there are a number of high performance pads that work better. These pads will generate more heat and do it quicker so a high temp fluid is a requirement.
Not all DOT4 fluids will have the same boiling temps. Most off the shelf parts store fluids that are labeled as DOT4 will be on the low end of the temperature range.
Sure, the Corvette engineers spec'd a good fluid, but you have to figure that the great majority of Corvettes don't see track use and constant hard braking. Most people that do HPDE's/track days will not only upgrade to fluid with higher boiling points, but they will do a complete flush at least once per year. Those people will also bleed the calipers before each track day.
It's the same with pad selection; the Z06 pads are good, but there are a number of high performance pads that work better. These pads will generate more heat and do it quicker so a high temp fluid is a requirement.