Video on Brake Fluids

[Patrick S]

As a suggestion for an informative video – maybe you should do a video on understanding the different types of brake fluids, what’s interchangeable, and advantages/disadvantages of each type.

This came to me today after changing the brake fluid on my 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. It had never been done before – and the truck calls for DOT 3 via the cap and “Delco Supreme 11 DOT 3” in the owner’s manual.

Since I work in the OEM braking industry, we are having cars that call for “DOT 3” on the cap, but are using DOT 4 pretty much exclusively, and in some cases cars just being sold in different regions will have caps saying DOT 3 or DOT 4 when the system is exactly the same (Check the parts books for some Ford models).

Despite what the recommendations are from the OEM in the manual, DOT 3/DOT 4/DOT 5.1 are all compatible with each other so there will be no issue mixing these fluids. Most of the good fluids meet both DOT 3 and DOT 4 specs – in general DOT 4 is really an upgrade to DOT3, having a higher boiling point.

So, for my truck (and soon my 2012 Cruze), I bought some ATE SL.6 fluid. The main advantage of this is that it’s lower viscosity to help the performance of the ABS and ESC in the vehicle.

Info:
http://www.ate-na.com/www/ate_us_en/themes/20_ate_brake_products/brake_fluid/bf_sl6_us.html

So, after changing the fluid on my truck today – and I’ve owned this truck since it was 2 years old, all I can say is WOW. I’m sure just the new fluid helped with the pedal feel (it was significantly better), but since i still have the narrow 205 series snow tires on this 2wd truck, I can get ABS at will now on dry pavement…and it’s incredibly smooth in operation after the change, which before it always felt kind of slow to respond.

So maybe you could do a video comparing different brake fluids, their best applications, and potentially a test of some low viscosity fluid vs a normal DOT 3 on one of your cars? Maybe just try it out?

I’ve seen that you typically use the Honda/Acura fluid in whatever car comes in.

Topic

[EricTheCarGuy]

That’s an awesome idea. Perhaps I can cover it when I do the brakes on the Fairmont. Either way, I think it’s a great topic.

You’ve provided some great information here. Perhaps considering posting it to the ‘How To’ thread. I think it would be a great fit there.

Thanks again.

[Author]

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