Motorcraft Brake Fluid Alternatives

[doitmyself]

RE: Ford Escort.

Like most companies, Ford reccommends "their brand" of DOT 3 brake fluid for servicing. In this case, according to numerous articles, Motorcraft Dot 3 actually has a much higher boiling point than other typical DOT 3's. Racers consider it a cheap alternative to other products, I'm told.

The Motorcraft Dot 3 sells locally for $4 per 12 oz. (not available here in 32 oz.) Most aftermarket Dot 3's sell for $4 to $5 dollars for 32oz ie.-Prestone.

Is there any reason I cannot use Prestone DOT 3/other aftermarket for this application? Safety? Performance? Warranty? Other?

I know about Valvolene Synpower and wish to keep that out of the discussion.

 

[unDummy]

There is no reason not to use any DOT3 or DOT4 besides the Ford fluids.

As long as the brake bleed frequency is reasonable, any will work well.

Since brake fluid is cheap and rarely maintained, I would upgrade to any 'DOT4' brake fluid. This includes the Synpower, GTLMA, Prestone, Gunk, and whatever DOT4's are stocked at your local stores.

 

[doitmyself]

What do you think about these statements from a "white paper" at Stop Tech:

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_brakefluid_1a.shtml

"As a trailing note on the DOT ratings, if your car was designed for a particular type of fluid (especially prior to the development of DOT 4 fluids), you should make every attempt to stick with that fluid! For example, if your car was delivered with DOT 3 fluid, the internal components of the system (seals, brake hoses, and fittings for example) were specifically designed and tested for compatibility with DOT 3. Because DOT 4 fluids contain a different chemical composition, the system may not necessarily react in a positive fashion to the borate esters floating around in the mix.

In other cases, just the difference in viscosity of the two different fluids may cause the seals to wear at different rates. What starts as an annoying squeak might eventually become a torn seal or worse. The examples could go on and on, but the message here is this: it’s fine to upgrade from DOT 3 fluid A to DOT 3 fluid B, but you should think twice (maybe even three times) before switching from DOT 3 fluid A to DOT 4 fluid of any sort."

Thanks!!!

 

[Brons2]

I used DOT4 in my old Honda that was spec'd for DOT3, for 258,000 miles.

 

[doitmyself]

No sarcasism intended, Brons2, I appreciate anecdotal experiences as much as the next guy. But, I also know people with 10 year old cars, 150K+ miles, with no problems (yet)having NEVER changed their brake fluid!

Why do people write that stuff(in the article)? And, if Dot 4 is better, why is it not installed OEM?

 

[unDummy]

Every DOT4 brake fluid that I've used worked perfectly in all those old cars that required DOT3. I've never seen a Dot4 compatibility issue with Dot3 vehicles.

I believe that the above quote is to prevent crybaby lawsuits. Sorry, but its difficult to make any blanket recommendation without some clown, and his lawyer, from using it as a 'cause of failure'.

If your hydraulics are so old that leaks, squeaks, or issues are noticeable, they should be rebuilt or replaced.

I am glad that noone(?) has marketed a 'high-mileage' leak stopping brake fluid. Yep, I have no problems with non-critical component marketing(like high mileage PSF, ATF or oil), and the 'better be safe then sorry attitudes' that some practice(use only OEM fluids). But, brake systems require PM, and any/all issue needs immediate fixing. Upgrades, if available, should be used when possible. DOT4 is a cost effective upgrade to DOT3. Use it.

 

[bdcardinal]

the motorcraft brake fluid is different now than what it used to be. there was a lot of threads going around on www.svtperformance.com about them. the boiling points are lower, apparently ford chagned suppliers. i use Valvoline Synpower brake fluid in both my fords.

 

[Steelers]

Ditto Valvoline Dot 3 on my Ford.

 

[Ray H]

You're obsessing way too much. Brake fluid performance standards are set by the Department Of Transportation - hence the nomenclature, "DOT". Any vehicle brake system designed orginally for DOT 3 brake fluid can use DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 interchangeably with attendent better protection against boiling under severe useage. Those three fluids have progressively higher wet and dry boiling points (better qualtiy) through the numeric progression. Unsuffixed DOT 5 is the ONE brake fluid designation that must NEVER be mixed with any of the other 3 because it's a silicone fluid which is incompatible with the poly-alkene glycol alcohols comprising the others.

 

[Ken2]

Ray,
There is a chemical difference to make the performance difference between DOT3, DOT4, etc. While I've used DOT4 in several DOT3 systems without a problem, there might be some incompatibility in some systems.

DOT sets performance standards, not composition standards. DOT4+ and DOT5.1 are both conventional polyglycol ether brake fluids that perform equal to the silicone DOT5 brake fluid.

I think the Ford DOT3 fluid only had a boiling point advantage when new and dry. Racers change the fluid very often due to heat damage to the fluid, so wet boiling point isn't a concern of theirs. Other DOT3 brake fluids have a better wet boiling point than the Ford.

By the way, anyone reading this, all brake fluids are synthetic. Don't fall for any advertising hype about a brake fluid being synthetic...it's true, and equally true for all brands.

I use ATE (say ah-TAY) DOT4+ brake fluid in everything in the family fleet. I use the blue dyed fluid one change and the amber fluid the next.


Ken

 

[Ray H]

Quote:

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Ray,
While I've used DOT4 in several DOT3 systems without a problem, there might be some incompatibility in some systems.

---

That's bogus. DOT standards require chemical compatibility among DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1 fluids.

Quote:

---

DOT sets performance standards, not composition standards.

---

See above

Quote:

---

DOT4+ and DOT5.1 are both conventional polyglycol ether brake fluids that perform equal to the silicone DOT5 brake fluid.

---

That's bogus, too, unless someone's invented a magical poly-alkene glycol that's not miscible with moisture and carries a boiling point in excess of 500 deg. F.
DOT 3 - 401F dry
DOT 4 - 446F dry
DOT 5 - 500F

Quote:

---

By the way, anyone reading this, all brake fluids are synthetic. Don't fall for any advertising hype about a brake fluid being synthetic...it's true, and equally true for all brands.

---

Congratulations - you got that one dead on!

 

[benjamming]

Ray,

Some brake fluids are over 500°F. The chart was stolen from Kestas
here.
ARRANGED BY DRY BOILING POINT:

DRY:401F -- WET:284F --- DOT3 MINIMUM
DRY:446F -- WET:311F --- DOT4 MINIMUM
DRY:500F -- WET:356F --- DOT5.1 MINIMUM
DRY:502F -- WET:343F --- VALVOLINE SYNPOWER
DRY:509F -- WET:365F --- MOTUL 5.1
DRY:527F -- WET:302F --- AP RACING 551
DRY:536F -- WET:392F --- ATE SUPERBLUE/TYP200
DRY:590F -- WET:410F --- AP RACING 600
DRY:590F -- WET:518F --- CASTROL SRF
DRY:593F -- WET:420F --- MOTUL RBF600
DRY:610F -- WET:421F --- NEO-SYNTHETIC SUPER DOT 610
DRY:620F -- WET:425F --- COBALT SUPER XRF

ARRANGED BY WET BOILING POINT:

DRY:401F -- WET:284F --- DOT3 MINIMUM
DRY:527F -- WET:302F --- AP RACING 551
DRY:446F -- WET:311F --- DOT4 MINIMUM
DRY:502F -- WET:343F --- VALVOLINE SYNPOWER
DRY:500F -- WET:356F --- DOT5.1 MINIMUM
DRY:509F -- WET:365F --- MOTUL 5.1
DRY:536F -- WET:392F --- ATE SUPERBLUE/TYP200
DRY:590F -- WET:410F --- AP RACING 600
DRY:593F -- WET:420F --- MOTUL RBF600
DRY:610F -- WET:421F --- NEO-SYNTHETIC SUPER DOT 610
DRY:620F -- WET:425F --- COBALT SUPER XRF
DRY:590F -- WET:518F --- CASTROL SRF