In order to address a braking issue that arises after the vehicle has been serviced using genuine brake fluid and non-factory fill, Toyota Motor Sales has announced it will undertake a voluntary safety recall.
740,000 vehicles sold in the United States are affected by the recall, including the following models: 2005-2006 Avalon, 2004-2006 Highlander (non-hybrid), Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350.
The brake warning signal may illuminate as a result of a little amount of brake fluid leaking from the brake master cylinder. The driver will start to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel, and braking performance may gradually deteriorate, if the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle is driven without replacing the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir.
Non-factory Toyota brake fluid supplied during system maintenance was identified as the leak’s cause. According to Toyota, some replacement brake fluids are deficient in a specific polymer that prevents the internal rubber seal (also known as the brake master cylinder cup) at the piston’s tip from drying up and curling when the brake pedal is depressed.
According to the news release, “Polymers are present in the Toyota Genuine Brake Fluid utilized in car assembly for automobiles marketed in the United States. For some brake system parts, the polymers serve as lubricants.
A material that can function in an environment with lower quantities of this polymer was used to create the revised seal. No matter what type of brake fluid is used to maintain the system, this ought to stop any additional leaks.
Toyota recommends using DOT3 brake fluid that complies with SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 in its owner’s manuals and service instructions. These recommendations are still valid, and any brand of brake fluid is appropriate so long as it complies with DOT or SAE standards.
These standards emphasize compressibility and boiling point, but they also emphasize lubricating characteristics, seal compatibility, and corrosion resistance. However, each manufacturer of brake fluid has their unique set of additives. Usually, the unidentified polymer is a part.
First class mail will be used to contact the owners of the relevant vehicles starting in early November 2010. Dealerships for Toyota and Lexus will swap out the brake master cylinder cup for a brand-new model at no cost to the owners of the vehicles.
In This Article...
Can Toyotas be used with DOT4 brake fluid?
The majority of people working in the automobile industry are likely aware of Toyota’s request that Dot 3 fluids rather than Dot 4 fluids be used in its cars or the brake systems will lose their guarantee. Although it is worth noting that practically all Toyota cars have a reservoir where it clearly indicates that Dot 3 is to be used, it looks that the 100 Series Landcruiser is the main model affected by these potential issues.
Apart from Dot 4’s higher boiling point and the fact that it adheres to a higher industry specification standard, there has long been a widespread belief in the sector that there is no difference between the two.
The majority of Australian producers claim that the two have different compositions. If this is the case, how is it possible that Dot 4 fluids have been flushed through Toyota automobiles’ systems for years without causing any obvious issues?
That is a legitimate query. NBS has extensively compared several fluid brands from around the world. Today, the majority of producers produce both. Does that suggest that you are forced to keep both fluids on hand?
Is it too wonderful to be true? Customers have been successfully using our brake fluid for a very long time on many types of vehicles, including Toyotas! For any vehicle where the manufacturer recommends Dot 3 or 4, the fluid is guaranteed to work.
That’s what you need, right? Don’t wait any longer; call our sales team right away at freecall Australia Wide.
Is DOT 3 brake fluid from Toyota synthetic?
Registered. The braking fluid used in DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1 is all synthetic. Glycol-ether-based DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1 fluids are compatible with the original equipment Toyota fluid.
Is Toyota brake fluid required?
Toyota advises changing the brake fluid every 20,000 miles or two years, while there are a number of variables that can impact the recommendation. No two drivers are same, and some brake more forcefully than others. The age of your vehicle, how frequently you drive, and where you drive the most can all affect this.
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.
Better still, DOT 3 or DOT 4?
brake fluid 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.
Can DOT 4 and DOT 5 brake fluid be combined?
Our distributor network is offering KLONDIKE DOT 5.1 Universal Synthetic Brake Fluid in Canada. KLONDIKE DOT 5.1 Universal Synthetic Brake Fluid reduces inventory and preparation time for end users while meeting all brake fluid requirements on the market in one fluid.
- meets all OE specifications for all hybrid and electric vehicles.
- extremely high boil point for optimum effectiveness
- Brake fluid that is truly suitable for use worldwide
- Low conductivity and viscosity
- replaces all specifications for glycol-based braking fluid, including Dot 3, 4, 4LV, 5.1, 5.1LV, and EHV
- 500ml and 1L containers are available.
Can I use DOT 5.1?
DOT 5.1 has a very broad range of applications and can be utilized in any brake system where the use of glycol ether fluid is mandated with confidence. This includes high performance European vehicles as well as the most recent full electric and electric hybrid vehicles, where low conductivity is crucial. It is completely compatible with DOT 4 and DOT 3 systems and can be used to replace or top off those systems.
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. Most antique cars that are kept in storage for extended periods of time and require brake fluid that does not absorb water use DOT 5.
Comparing and Mixing Brake Fluid
DOT 5.1 fluids are an improvement over DOT 4 and have much enhanced viscosity (thickness) at low temperatures in addition to having higher boiling points and maintaining them even better than DOT 4 in service. 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.
Several well-known international standards bodies have established the specifications for braking fluids.
- Three other grades are categorized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) as SAE J1703, J1704, and J1705.
- Other brake fluid grades are categorized by the International Standards Organization (ISO) in their ISO 4925 document: the classes 3, 4, 5.1, 6, and 7.
- Under FMVSS 116, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) in the US categorize brake fluids into three basic grades: DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1.
Can synthetic brake fluid be combined with DOT 3 fluid?
No matter what the rating, you cannot combine synthetic brake fluid with conventional brake fluid. Not at all. No matter what the rating, you cannot combine synthetic brake fluid with conventional brake fluid.
Is DOT 3 brake fluid mixable?
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.
How important is the brake fluid’s brand?
Is it truly important? YES! It’s crucial to utilize the fluid that the original vehicle makers prescribed. Mineral-based fluid makes up DOT 3 & 4 brake fluid.
How frequently should Toyota update its brake fluid?
While no two drivers are alike and some may need their fluid to be replaced more or less frequently, Toyota advises changing your brake fluid every two years or 20,000 miles.