Highest Grade, Synthetic, 32 fl. oz. Prestone-MAX DOT 3 Brake Fluid; 100,000 Miles (Part No. AS410)
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Is Honda’s brake fluid unique?
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.
What distinguishes DOT 3 from DOT 4?
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.
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.
Honda brake fluid’s color?
As you drive and collect dirt and debris in the system, the color of fresh brake fluid gradually changes to a darker, oil-like shade, reducing the effectiveness of your brakes.
What is brake fluid from Honda?
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.
What happens if DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid are combined?
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.
What occurs if I choose the incorrect brake fluid?
Inadequate lubrication, overheating, and possibly transmission failure can result from using the incorrect fluid. Even after flushing the transmission, a mechanic might not be able to undo the damage. Your transmission might also be ruined if you accidentally add motor oil or brake fluid.
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.