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.
In This Article...
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 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.
How frequently should a Honda Civic change its brake fluid?
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 is DOT 4 brake fluid utilized?
For use in automobile disc, drum, and anti-skid brake systems as well as clutch systems, Mobil Braking Fluid DOT 4 is an exceptionally high performance hydraulic brake fluid.
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.
Is any DOT 3 brake fluid acceptable?
The systems and all DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 braking fluids are compatible with one another.
No polyethylene glycol-based solution will affect rubber components that are in good health. Additionally, no rubber components will be harmed or deformed by the additive packets. New DOT approved brake fluids won’t harm even an older rubber component that contains a lot of natural rubber.
The breakdown of the additive package is what destroys rubber components. The fluid’s pH and viscosity are within the control of the additive package. Rubber and metal components will corrode over time if the braking fluid is unable to manage the pH or other corrosive substances. Use DOT 4 or 5.1 brake fluid if you have an older car and are concerned about the fluid boiling.
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 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.
Can DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid be mixed?
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.
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.