I have some Honda brake fluid in sealed plastic bottles, about 3 years old. Sides of bottle are collapsed. Safe to use?
Brake Fluid Shelf Life
- Thread starter artbuc
- Start date
Brake cylinder reservoirs are all plastic these days so maybe it should be at least as good in a plastic bottle as it would be in the car. To play safe I still prefer to buy brake fluid in tins.
Use it. I have had opened containers of brake fluid for 2-3 years, and have tested it with the brake fluid tester. 0% moisture.
<---- Collapsed like this?
Another vote for "use it".
I'm pretty sure this is the original fluid in the Lexus. Tester says it only has 1% water and is "OK".
I need to test the tester.
Another vote for "use it".
I'm pretty sure this is the original fluid in the Lexus. Tester says it only has 1% water and is "OK".
I need to test the tester.
You’d be surprised. Brake systems are better sealed than the internet would like you to believe, and DOT3 fluid does not absorb as much moisture as DOT4 and 4LV.<---- Collapsed like this?
Another vote for "use it".
I'm pretty sure this is the original fluid in the Lexus. Tester says it only has 1% water and is "OK".
View attachment 202132
I need to test the tester.
However, the additive system does deteriorate over time so there is some benefit to replacing the fluid.
“<---- Collapsed like this?”
Not quite that bad, but you have the general idea.
Not quite that bad, but you have the general idea.
The moisture enters through various points in the braking system: reservoir, cylinder, calipers, and microscopic pores in hoses.
We have been through this numerous times:
Brake Fluid & Brake Maintenence - G-LOC Brakes
Brake Fluid Information and Maintenance procedures. G-LOC Brakes, LLC does not recommend using a silicone based brake fluid with any of its products.
www.g-locbrakes.com
I think that's a 1990's reason to replace fluid. I'm not telling people to not replace fluid, but I don't think moisture is the main reason anymore - it is the general degradation of the fluid's additive package. Especially if one is using DOT3 and not DOT4/4LV.
There is no doubt that the chemistry of it advanced. However, the fact is that brake fluid is still hygroscopic (unless we talk about hydrophobic fluids, but that is a different conversation). Climate is also a big factor in it. It will attract less moisture in a dry climate, and vice versa.
Also, there is a copper issue, etc. While DOT3 does attract less moisture, there are still copper levels, etc.
So, I would say still, replacing fluid after several years is prudent for regular drivers, DOT3 or not.
I just bought a tester like that, pretty slick if accurate. Shows no water in my vehicle's brakes but recognizes pure water from tap.<---- Collapsed like this?
Another vote for "use it".
I'm pretty sure this is the original fluid in the Lexus. Tester says it only has 1% water and is "OK".
View attachment 202132
I need to test the tester.
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- Sep 2, 2016
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ATE says 5 year shelf life for factory sealed metal containers: https://www.ate-brakes.com/media/2318/ate_td004_dot3-web.pdf
AC Delco also says 5 years for their factory sealed plastic containers: https://acdelco.com.au/gm-b2cau/cms/pdf/Specification/acdelco_specs_brake_fluid_global_dot4.pdf
What if the tester reads there is no moisture?
I would say there is some, but tester can’t register that amount.
I keep 1-2 qt in here. The cap is sealed. Only DOT3 is allowed in here, nothing else. Does that make me the villain?
