DOT 4 brake fluid is typically utilized in race cars and high-performance vehicles. However, if the car’s manufacturer permits it, you can also use DOT 4 for conventional vehicles.
In This Article...
Does Honda need a specific type of brake fluid?
Now that my 2017 CTR is three years old, Maintenance Minder “7”: Replace brake fluid, is activated. Naturally, this raises the issue of what kind of replacement fluid to employ.
I’ve put this car through its maximum amount of track time with 100% stock equipment, and it worked out perfectly for me. My biggest concern is that I want to use this automobile as a daily driver for at least 15 years.
I brought it to a local high-performance shop that specializes in tires and suspensions for stock vehicles used in amateur racing and was pleasantly surprised when they advised me to stick using Honda brake fluid (I think for an ordinary Civic they would have used Castrol DOT 3). I also observe what Honda states in the CTR Owner’s Manual:
You should only use DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid from a sealed bottle as a temporary substitution if the required brake fluid is not readily accessible.
Any non-Honda braking fluid might lead to corrosion and shorten the system’s lifespan. As soon as feasible, have Honda Heavy Duty Braking Fluid DOT 3 replaced and the brake system cleansed.
Can DOT 3 be replaced by DOT 4?
Yes. DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid are interchangeable. DOT 4 has a greater boiling point, though.
Due to its high boiling point, DOT 5.1 is utilized in high-performance and heavy-duty applications. The fluids DOT 3 and DOT 4 are compatible with it.
Because DOT 5 brake fluid is silicone, it does not absorb moisture. It is mostly utilized in vintage cars that are kept in storage for extended periods of time and require a brake fluid that doesn’t absorb water because it is incompatible with the other brake fluids.
What makes DOT 3 and DOT 4 different from one another?
The following are the main distinctions between the two: Over time, DOT 3 brake fluid will collect less water from the air than DOT 4, resulting in fewer frequent fluid changes. Due to its higher dry and wet boiling points, DOT 4 brake fluid is more heat-resistant.
The finest manufacturer of DOT 4 brake fluid?
The Motul Dot-4 100% Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid is our choice for the best brake fluid. It costs a little more than other manufacturers, but it gives the pedals a better feel, prevents water from getting inside, and boosts performance for both racers and daily drivers.
How frequently should a Honda Civic have its brake fluid changed?
For your brakes to be durable and dependable, changing your brake fluid is essential. The brake fluid in your Honda should be replaced, on average, every two to three years.
You should consult your owners manual for further information regarding brake fluid changes since every car has certain requirements. For instance, if you drive more than the average person, you might need to change the brake fluid more frequently.
But if you’re still unclear about how long you should go between changes, keep in mind that when it comes to car maintenance, it’s better to be safe than sorry. It is far preferable to change it a little too frequently than to wait too long.
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How important is the brand of brake fluid I choose?
DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids are both glycol-based, but because their chemical make-ups differ, they will affect the system in different ways. It is essential to continue using the precise brake fluid that the manufacturer advises in order to guarantee that the system functions as it should.
What occurs if brake fluid is not changed?
The brake reservoir, where the brake fluid is housed, will become contaminated with moisture if you don’t change your brake fluid as advised by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
Your braking fluid will inevitably become polluted with “debris buildup” as it ages. Your brake system’s many seals and hoses might gradually lose little amounts of rubber as they wear down. Additionally, rust particles may get up in your brake fluid as a result of metal components corroding and rusting due to moisture-rich brake fluid.
Your car’s ability to stop suffers substantially from not changing the brake fluid, which results in subpar braking performance. Most of the time, you can tell by pressing the brake pedal: if it feels excessively spongy, your brake fluid is probably about to fail. You may find that stopping your car requires more work and time, and in some situations, you may even need to pump the brakes in order to build up enough pressure for a secure stop.
If you’re moving at any speed, the uncomfortable idea that your brakes could completely fail is also a deadly one. This may occur if the boiling point of the braking fluid is reached while the vehicle is in motion, particularly if the boiling point was intentionally decreased due to moisture contamination.
What happens if I combine brake fluids DOT 3 and DOT 4?
Yes, you can combine Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid. Because both of these brake fluids are glycol-based, they are compatible with one another. It is not advised to fill your automobile with Dot 3 if it came with Dot 4 from the manufacturer, however the other way around is acceptable.
If your vehicle came equipped with Dot 3 and you frequently tow a trailer or drive up steep slopes, we strongly advise replacing it with Dot 4.
Can you mix Dot 5 with dot 3 and dot 4?
A silicone-based braking fluid is called Dot5. It is incompatible with ABS systems and does not absorb water from the atmosphere. It functions effectively and keeps its integrity. Additionally, compared to Dot3 and Dot4, it has a greater boiling point, making it more suitable for driving that is too aggressively.
It should never be combined with Dot3 or Dot4 liquids since they are incompatible. If you want to discover if your braking system is compatible with Dot5 brake fluid, you need also pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Does blending brake fluids work?
Both DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 braking fluids, which both contain glycol, are widely utilized in the automobile and cycling industries. The Department of Transportation (DOT) established the standards that are used to regulate them, hence the name.
The boiling points of these two brake fluids are the primary distinction. The minimum dry and wet boiling points are one of the requirements that DOT fluid producers must meet. These are the lowest temperatures that the brake fluid can operate at without beginning to boil, which can result in a complete failure of the brakes.
Let’s look at the Department of Transportation’s recommended minimum boiling temperatures for DOT brake fluid.
Remember that these are merely the basic requirements. It is feasible to find DOT 4 brake fluid with a higher boiling point than other DOT 5.1 fluids on the market, and brake fluid producers frequently do so.
Since DOT 4 and 5.1 are both glycol-based brake fluids, they can be mixed without damaging your brake system because they are compatible with one another. Never confuse DOT 5.1 (a glycol-based fluid) with DOT 5, a silicone-based fluid that must never be used with any other DOT fluid.
Which braking fluids can you actually combine without damaging your brake system, then? Let’s examine the graph below.
The silicone-based DOT 5 is the odd one out in this group and is incompatible with all other DOT brake fluids, as can be shown. The worst that can happen when mixing DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 braking fluids, providing it is new fluid, is a decrease in the boiling point of the entire fluid.
Some brake producers, including Hayes and Formula, ship their brakes with DOT 4 brake fluid already added. Some manufacturers, like Hope and Avid, decide to employ DOT 5.1 in their brakes. In order to take advantage of the higher boiling point and enhanced heat resistance of DOT 5.1, many riders with DOT 4 in their brakes will choose to bleed with it.
Is it possible to combine Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid?
Can DOT 3 and DOT 4 be combined? Since DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids are both glycol-based, mixing them is not a problem, but you should be aware that the boiling points will alter.
When ought I to use DOT 4 brake fluid?
In comparison to DOT 3 brake fluid, DOT 4 brake fluid has a higher boiling point. If you frequently apply strong brakes to your car, DOT 3 brake fluid may easily boil, leading to the problems mentioned above.
Dot 4 brake fluid doesn’t boil as easily, making it more dependable when you frequently apply a lot of forceful braking. Owners of cars who participate in autocross or lap the track events will unquestionably need brake fluid with a high boiling point.
#2Chemical Components
Ether and polyalkyelen glycol are combined to create DOT 3 braking fluid. This concoction yields brake fluid that can withstand both wet and moderately hot circumstances.
Borate and glycol make up DOT 4 braking fluid. The blend increases the stability and heat tolerance of the braking fluid.
#3Car Types
Because economy automobiles often need less stopping power and drivers don’t frequently utilize hard braking, DOT 3 brake fluid is used in most of them.
However, since they all stop more abruptly and frequently, you might expect to see DOT 4 braking fluid in police cars, motorcycles, and racing cars. Always abide by the brake fluid type recommendations made by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
#4Boiling Capacity
Both a great wet boiling capacity and a great dry boiling capacity are present in DOT 3 brake fluid. This indicates that the fluid will function well when exposed to water and fresh air.
The best braking fluid in terms of dry boiling capability is DOT 4. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a very high wet boiling capacity.
What is the purpose of Dot 4 brake fluid?
A cutting-edge, high-performance, premium brake fluid of exceptional quality, BRAKE FLUID DOT 4 has a high wet boiling point and, as a result, an extremely high safety reserve against vapour lock. For hydraulic disc brakes and drum brakes on motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles, BRAKE FLUID DOT 4 is the best choice.
What happens if too much brake fluid is poured in?
The brake experts at Raybestos explain why you should be careful not to overfill your master cylinder in today’s video because it can result in issues like: unnecessary braking drag. Overheating of the brake system. premature wear of brake pads.