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Car Forum / Mazda / Mazda Miata / June 2006Synthetic vs. Regular Brake Fluid
I am changing out the rubber brake lines with stainless steel on my '90 Miata and need to bleed the entire brake system. Trying to decide if I should go with a synthetic brake fluid like Valvoline or a regular DOT 3/4 like Castrol GT/LMA. All input is appreciated. Wileyman > I am changing out the rubber brake lines with stainless steel on my '90 > Miata and need to bleed the entire brake system. Trying to decide if I > should go with a synthetic brake fluid like Valvoline or a regular DOT > 3/4 like Castrol GT/LMA. All input is appreciated. > > Wileyman The last synthetic brake fluid that I used was Valvoline DOT 4. It is compatible with non-synthetics and DOT 3, not that I ever used 3, but you could if you were stranded with nothing else. In any case, I would go ahead and use the synthetic, though the other stuff works fine, the main factor probably being whether you bleed the brakes every year or so. One large can will competely bleed your system with some left over and it is only a few extra bucks for the synthetic, I think it was $5.99 versus $3.79, something like that. Don't forget the bleed order like I did. Right rear first, left rear second, right front third, & left front last. Also, keep a hose handy, even after draining the fluid it is going to get everywhere, and you obviously have to be quick to get any off of the paint if it makes contact. This last part may already be obvious to you, but someone else may benefit from knowing it. HTH, Pat If you can find DOT5 use that! > I am changing out the rubber brake lines with stainless steel on my '90 > Miata and need to bleed the entire brake system. Trying to decide if I > should go with a synthetic brake fluid like Valvoline or a regular DOT > 3/4 like Castrol GT/LMA. All input is appreciated. > > Wileyman > If you can find DOT5 use that! YOU CAN FIND DOT5 BRAKE FLUID, IT IS NOT RARE. IT CAN BE GREAT STUFF, ESPECIALLY WHEN USED FROM THE START LIKE ON MY FRIEND'S MOTORCYCLE. THIS ARTICLE, HOWEVER, EXPLAINS WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO STAY WITH DOT4, ESPECIALLY ON AN OLDER SYSTEM THAT HAS USED NON-SILICONE BASED BRAKE FLUID FOR 16 YEARS. (cap locks off) http://www.xs11.com/tips/maintenance/maint1.shtml Pat !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yup, that's where we used it, in Big Dirt Dual Sport Bikes, KLR650, XR650R, KTMDuke Motorcycles are "brutal" on everything, including Brake Fluid. Dot5 worked great in Mexico(Los Angeles2 Cabo 2 SanDiego2LosAngeles). > > If you can find DOT5 use that! > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > If you can find DOT5 use that! I believe DOT 5 is getting very difficult to find, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 have pretty much replaced it and will work just fine in your car. FWIW, most recommend against DOT 5 in cars with ABS. NOTE: DOT 5 is a silicon brake fluid, I've been told that European DOT 5 fluid is NOT a silicon brake fluid but a glycol fluid that is the same as DOT 5.1 sold here. Can someone verify that please? |
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