A 2

I was hoping you guys could help me out with your opinions on brake fluid. Come summer it will be time to do a brake fluid replacement on both cars and I was thinking about ATE Super Blue.

For both cars Honda recommends DOT3 or DOT4. As 99% of my driving will be normal driving (going to work, driving around town) would ATE Super Blue (DOT 4) be a good fluid or would it be overkill?

May also try to get in the odd AutoX event this season, but other than that have no other plans besides group drives.

So if you would, please let me know what you think. Also please tell me how much I would need for a typical brake fluid flush. Your opinions as always are appreciated - even more now since the site is in suck mode

NH_s2k_Guy

Aashish I changed mine last spring and put Motul in.

Had it in the S for Watkins Glen and all last year, never let me down.

Bugsy

Motul 600

A 2

Thanks Mark & Jeff. Pardon my ignorance, but is Motul 600 a DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid?

Let me rephrase the above - If they have DOT3 & DOT4 versions of the MOTUL 600, which one must I get?

Tadashi

I'm interested in these answers as well, but if I go with non OEM I need it SOON, am expecting to do the front brakes and new fluid within 2 weeks...

NH_s2k_Guy

Get the Motul that is what it says on your brake reservoir cap (DOT3 or 4). Can't you use DOT4 where DOT3 is recommended just
not the other way around?

A 2

Mark the cap says DOT3 or DOT4. The manual says use DOT3 and DOT4 if no DOT3 is available as a stop gap measure IIRC. They also highly recommend HONDA DOT3 fluid.

I actually have Mercedes DOT4 fluid in the Si from last year. When I was over at Keeler last year, they got some DOT4 from their MB dealership at my request. It must be whatever generic brake fluid they use in MB's.

NH_s2k_Guy

Personally in the S I would always go with the better quality choice if given a choice.

Neutered Sputniks

DOT4 can be used in anything requiring DOT3. The only fluid that's not compatible is DOT5 (although DOT5.1 is...DOT5 is silicone based, not glycol based, and will f@#k your seals up, whereas DOT5.1 is non-silicone based and thus doesn't have the negative effect of DOT5).

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that, as brake fluid is hydrophilic, it absorbs moisture in the air and gradually loses it's temperature ratings (i.e. boils at a lower temp). DOT4 will more rapidly moves out of spec than DOT3, becoming essentially DOT3 over time. The answer to your query, Aashish, depends on how often you plan on changing your brake fluid and how hard you plan on driving the car (along with the brake pads you use).

I personally run Castrol GTX DOT4 in my S, changing it once, maybe twice, in a year (April-ish). This year I'll probably switch to Motul 600 (which only comes in DOT4 varieties), if I don't get too lazy to order it and just pick up whatever I can find at the local auto-shops.

zzziippyyy

Aashish, I also run the DOT 4 Motul 600 as most of whom have replied do, Be warned once you go to DOT 4 do not revert back to DOT 3. Is Motul or any good brake fluid overkill well yes and no. But I would rather have brake fluid be overkill than not be able to stop when I need to.