MitsuStyle - Brake Fluid Advice

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceminion (Post 283793)

....anyone use DOT5 here?

Nope, this explains it better than I can:

"Why don't the vehicle manufacturers simply switch to DOT 5 brake fluid that is silicone-based and repels moisture? One reason is that silicone brake fluid is very expensive compared to glycol-based fluids. Another is that silicone fluid contains more dissolved air and aerates more easily when pumped rapidly through small orifices that can increase pedal travel and reduce pedal firmness (a spongy pedal). Because of this, most vehicle manufacturers warn against using DOT 5 brake fluid in any vehicle equipped with ABS.

DOT 5 also cannot disperse moisture that enters the system throughout the fluid like DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids. Any water that does get inside tends to "slug" and settle to the lowest point in the system, which is usually the calipers and wheel cylinders. Slugs of pure water are not something you want inside a brake system because they concentrate corrosion and increase the risk of pedal fade if the water gets hot enough to boil (it only takes 212° F to turn liquid water into steam).

Where DOT 5 fluid works best is in vehicles that sit for long periods of time (antique and classic vehicles that are stored during winter months or in a museum), or in vehicles that are operated in extremely wet environments (including off-road)."

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf40142.htm