What is the longest lasting brake fluid?

[Carmudgeon]

Originally Posted By: james49
Thanks for the advice about ATE blue. I think I'll either get Castrol LMA or Valvoline. I can get them in an autoparts store, and they come in small sizes. ATE just comes in liters or larger, and I can't find it except on the Internet.


Ate Gold (Typ200) is an excellent fluid, but as you note, local availability can be a problem, and the price has crept up to about $18/l.

Between the Castrol and Valvoline, I'd pick the former. Valvoline had a good fluid with Synpower, but the white bottle stuff is just a dumbed-down typical fluid.

Castrol LMA has always been a good fluid, and the new formula is made in Germany and has a higher boiling point. I wouldn't be surprised if it was outsourced from a company like ContiTeves or Pentosin. The specs of LMA and Pentosin's fluid are very close.

 

[wander2039]

So next spring both our vehicles, sisters Focus and parents Vibe need the brakes bleed. Last time on the Escape I used Valvoline dot 4 (gold bottle?) and love the feel of the pedal. Although there was alot of junk in the rear calipers so I don't know how much of that is the fluid. Given all the vehicles that need to be done would I better off getting a gallon jug of Dot 3 from Wally or Valvoline in quarts? I know the latter is more expensive. May just do all the them but the Escape in Dot 3, tow with it.

 

[james49]

I bought a Qt. of Valvoline for $5.29 + tax. I'll put some in my clutch first to see how my $6 one man bleeder works.
I bought it before reading the last 3 posts. Castrol cost a couple dollars more, and the specs I had seen were about the same as Valvoline. Thanks for the advice.

 

[jaj]

LMA = "Low Moisture Aviditiy"

In English, it "doesn't love water"

 

[james49]

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9012213&contentId=7024043

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=138

 

[ARB1977]

Thanks for the reminder, Im just about time for a fluid flush.

 

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Dot 5 is compatible with other brake fliuds,it will not cause any reaction.


If this is true then the warning labels that come on DOT 5 fluid is incorrect.

DOT 5 IS NOT compatable with DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1.

 

[towncar]

I'm using ATE DOT 4 Type 200, its clear. I chose it because it has the longest changing intervals, so i figure it doesn't absorb much water.

 

[97prizm]

James,

I use ATE super blue in my race car and it seems to work well. You could in theory alternate between the blue and orange. They are identical except for color of the fluid. Although if your brake seals are old it could further deteriorate them, as that happened to me. The brake seals on my 84 RX-7 were really worn out and neglected when I purchased it, so I don't think you'll have a problem. DOT 5 Is in no way compatible with other brake fluids, as it is silicone based, and was created for military applications. Interestingly since it won't dissolve paint like glycol based fluids it's also popular with the showcars that see minimal street use. You can still get ATE for a reasonable price online. I order mine through Pegasus Racing supply, and I paid $11-liter. a while back, if you google it you can find it for $10/liter. As a note moisture absorption is a good thing as it removes it from the system when you flush the brake fluid. I've also used the Valvoline brake fluid that you can get from autozone and other places with good results.

 

[Tones]

+1 on the ATE Type 200. At around $10/liter, it is excellent price for performance.

 

[james49]

97prizm:

How does ATE work in a hydraulic clutch. I haven't changed the brake or clutch fluid yet. I'm tying to find some speed bleeders for the rear brakes. I bought some for the front.
Is ATE really that much better than Valvoline or Castrol LMA? I don't care that much if it leaves a little dye on the inside of a master cylinder.

 

[wiswind]

As mentioned, regardless of what fluid you choose, you would be best served by bleeding the fluid at each wheel at LEAST every 2 years.
In city driving, you are using your brakes a lot.
The fluid "wears" at the wheel....not the master cylinder.
So, nice clear fluid in the master cylinder and coffee looking fluid at each wheel is possible.