grandnexus

Honda civic 2001 LX, manual says I should use Honda genuine brake fluid. Can I use any dot3 brake fluid or does it have to be honda brake fluid?

anibis

Just get Prestone or Valvoline dot3, don't have to go genuine with brake fluid.

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

Dot3 or dot4 is just a rating the higher the number the better it is.

So if u can, get dot4. It has a higher wet/dry booing point. Dot4 is also backward compatible

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

But make sure u don't get dot5. Dot5 is a silcone base and it will F up ur brake system.

rjones7755

^so what's the advantage of using Dot4 in terms of stopping distance?

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

DOT4 standard has a higher wet/dry boiling points...means it can take more heat before the fluid boils (and when it boils, it becomes no good and ur braking system goes to ****)

most fluid now a days are are DOT4 unless u buy some no name cheapy chit.

you will normally see DOT3 on a DOT4 bottle (it'll say "DOT3/DOT4") because its the same great fluid, but better.


so as far as stopping distance, if ur brake fluid gives out, then u wont be able to brake...hows that? it will normally give out in higher stress situations like if u are on the track, canyons, hauling a heavy load (and using brakes)...etc

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

if you drive normally, and don't have any long downhill, just go dot3 if price is different.
also, many guys "think" they drive hard. speeding is not driving hard.

Zeferint

iTrader: (2)

ATE super blue... problem solved



It's in German.. so you KNOW it's good!

...no seriously, it's fantastic brake fluid. Best DOT4 fluid you can buy. I went through 2 seasons of autocross and the brakes were consistently firm. Fluid is only slightly discolored after all that use.

MindBomber

Just a friendly reminder to everyone, once you open a bottle of brake fluid use it all, once open it's not shelf stable and it could damage your braking systems if used at a later date.

Also, brake fluid eats paint, so don't get any on your body panels.

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

correct. one of the properties of brake fluid is that it absorbs moisture. so if u leave it out long enough and it absorbs enough moisture.... u dont want to be putting that in ur brake system.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

i wasnt impressed with oem. after 3 yrs there were large chunks of fluff and other junk in the bottom of the master cylinder. i sucked them out with a small turkey baster before having the fluid flushed. and i dont think there should be any considering honda recommends 3 yrs for a fluid change. valvoline makes an excellent fluid from what i hear. i am very easy on brakes, almost never use em above 35mph, and they usually do not even get hot enough to reach normal operating temp.

94civicd16z6

"It's in German.. so you KNOW it's good!" ya ok, go buy a german car and try saying that again..

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

german parts = awesome. german cars = not so much.

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

motul RBF600 or RBF660 > super blue.

Running Riot

the only thing better than that ATE supa blue is the supa gold. I used it in my Porsche and it is the bees knees. Thats the truth.

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

geez... I just realized my front brake pads lasted 55k... still stock rotors and stock rear drums/shoes...

maxtierney

iTrader: (5)

Agree . Just a little harder getting a quart of Motul for under $15 like ATE.

Running Riot

^Using Motul in my hatchback now. ATE is good stuff tho

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

motul RBF660 is like $30 a qt.

sheeeeeesh

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

okay normally i would say my car is worth it but not THAT worth it haha

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

most of us dont need any more performance than what a dot3 offers....

especially if it is a DD...even if heavy braking/traffic.

but like like oil, brake fluid has come so far...so that dot4 is just as cheap as dot3..so there is no real point in getting "dot3" cuz 90% of the fluid out there is dot4 anyways (which has a higher wet/dry boiling poit than dot3)

you can get a 1L of valvoline dot4 at autozone for like $6...which is enough to flush ur whole car completely.

pjb3

It's has the same specs. They make it in blue and amber so that when you flush you can switch between the two and tell if the fluid is new or old. Obviously this is for people that take their car to a track and want to make sure the fluid is fresh and change it before any difference is noticeable.