As promised in our recent 'Ask Me Anything Podcast' with Penrite Oil and Ryco Filters (have a listen if you havent already), heres some interesting Brake Fluid related FAQ's and Technical Bulletins from Penrite's New and Improved Website.
Similar to API, ACEA and JASO classifications for lubricants, DOT (Department of Transport) is a classification for accepted standards of quality of brake fluid.
NO! A DOT 5 brake fluid is silicone based whereas a DOT 5.1 brake fluid is glycol ether based. They will not mix.
Like, oils and lubricants, different vehicles call for different types of fluids. Like engine oils, ATF's, gear oils & coolants - Right Product, Right Application.
DOT 4 ESP is optimised for faster reaction times than other fluids. This is essential for on board electronic systems such as ESP (Electronic Stability Programs), ABS (Anti-Skid Braking) and Vehicle Collision avoidance systems to work at peak performance. It can replace SUPER DOT 4/DOT 4 and DOT 3 Fluids.
DOT 5.1 is a low viscosity fluid designed to work with Micro Valved ABS systems and also to circulate at extremely cold temperatures.
Super DOT 4, DOT 4 and DOT 3 are non petroleum, synthetic brake fluids designed for use in a wide range of brake and clutch applications.
No - DOT 4 ESP and DOT 5.1 are specified by vehicle manufacturers for specific types of vehicles that have systems suited to their properties. Although they can be used to replace DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids in other vehicles, DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluid continue to be the mainstream fluids used by manufacturers.
The main difference is the viscosity as well as the dry and wet boiling points of the fluids. Dry boiling points as follows -
DOT 3=240°C
SUPER DOT 4=275°C
RACING (SUPER DOT 4 PLUS) = 316°C
There is no reason why this cannot be done in most vehicles. Before using Silicone Brake Fluid - The old fluid needs to flushed completely out of the system, including calipers, lines, master cylinders, ABS modules and all parts of the system before the new fluid can be used.
This is essential as DOT 5 Silicone Brake fluid is not compatible with any other type of brake fluid.
NO - definitely not. DOT 5 Silicone Brake Fluid incompatible with other brake fluids and mixing could cause a serious brake failure.
DOT 3, SUPER DOT4, DOT 4 ESP, DOT 5.1, RACING BRAKE FLUID and DOT 5.0 SILICONE brake fluids are all non petroleum, synthetic fluids. The only mineral brake fluid available is LHM Plus, which is used in some vehicles including selected Rolls Royce and Jaguar systems. See Penrite Power Steering & Suspension Fluid flyer for more information on LHM Plus.
All Brake fluids apart from Silicone Brake fluid are Hygroscopic and will absorb water over time. Therefore, they all have a limited life span. Generally, the higher the DOT number the less prone they are to absorbing water and hence the longer the fluid will last without needing changing.
Water is compressible where as brake fluid is not. The more water in the fluid, the "spongier" the brake pedal. Water will boil off and vapourise at 100°C whereas, even DOT 3 brake fluids have a dry boiling point of > 205°C. This vapourising can cause a dramatic loss of braking performance.
DOT 4 and DOT 3 fluids are compatible with each other as well as DOT 4 ESP, and DOT 5.1
RACING BRAKE FLUID is compatible with Super DOT 4, DOT 4, DOT 4 ESP and DOT 5.1. It is NOT compatible with DOT 3 fluids
DOT 5 SILICONE FLUID is NOT compatible with any other brake fluid
Yes, Racing Brake Fluid is a Super Dot 4 Plus fluid and is perfectly suitable for most vehicles.
Have any further questions or concerns? Feel free to call Penrite Oil on 1300 736 748
