dot 4 or 5?

[rob172cup]

im changing my disks and pads and hoses should i upgrade my brake fluid or will the standard stuff do? i plan on doing a few track days this year

 

[BRUN]

be aware dot 5 is a totally different fluid from dot 3, 4, and 5.1

if your doing track days it might be worth using some 'race' fluid but castrol super response dot 4 is supposed to be very very good especially for the money

 

[BenR]

dot 4, as brun said, dot 5 is silicone fluid.

 

[klio]

dot 4 should be good enough

 

[rob172cup]

cheers so is the standard stuff good enough or not

 

[jamesy]

just use some 5.1 that should be sufficient

 

[Mr Melon]

So why is DOT 5 different and what would the effects be from using it?

 

[izibizi]

dot 5 is silicone fluid, hence it does not mix with any other fluid!
It has higher boiling point, but it needs to be changed more often because it soakes easily.

Use some super dot 4 or dot 5.1, for example Castrol Super response dot4 or motul 5.1

 

[BenR]

Dot 5 is silicone, and because it is silicone it absorbs NO water, unlike hydroscopic fluids which are 4 and 5.1.

The problem with silcone is that it isnt that great and water does get into the system, but instead of being homegenised through allt he fluid, it groups together in droplets, and when the fluid boils, it turns to gas and puts gas into your braking system......which = zero brakes.

 

[Turkish]

Castrol Response dot4 is good enough for BMW's M power cars and Porsches so it'll be more than adequate for a clio.