BRAKE FLUIDS

WHAT IS BRAKE FLUID?

• Brake fluid is

• a type of hydraulic fluid

• used in hydraulic braking systems

• to transfer force into pressure.

Brake Fluid Prevents Rust & Corrosion

• The majority of brake fluids

• are hygroscopic

• meaning that

• its great at absorbing moisture

Brake Fluid Prevents Rust & Corrosion

How does water get there in the first place?

• Typically,

• water can enter your system

• via leaks in your brake lines

• or broken seals

• in the master cylinder or caliper

Brake fluid comes in a few different forms: DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1.

• DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 are

• glycol-based fluids that

• absorb water and DOT 5 is

• a silicone-based fluid

• that does not absorb water

(a)   has a boiling point of 401 degrees Fahrenheit; fully degraded, it drops to 284 degrees Fahrenheit.

• DOT 3
• DOT 4
• DOT 5

​ (a)   is a glycol-based brake fluid with a boiling point similar to ​ (b)   racing brake fluids. Usually clear to amber in color. While it is technically intermixable with DOT 3 or 4, it is not recommended. ​ (c)   is around 14x more expensive than ​ (d)  

• DOT 5.1
• DOT 4
• DOT 3

These boiling points start at 446 degrees Fahrenheit.

• DOT 4

• DOT 5

• DOT 3

​ (a)   is not able to be mixed with any other fluid and is 4x more expensive than ​ (b)  

• DOT 5
• DOT 3

​ (a)   is a silicone-based brake fluid and has a very high boiling point of 500 degrees Fahrenheit

• DOT 5
• DOT 3
• DOT 4

CAN I DRIVE WITHOUT BRAKE FLUID?

• No. Brake fluid is

• essential to safe driving.

• The pressure applied to a brake pedal

• is transferred through the brake lines

• via fluid that pushes against the brake pads.