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WorksheetsBRAKE FLUIDS
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 14mins
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.
(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)
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)
(a) is a silicone-based brake fluid and has a very high boiling point of 500 degrees Fahrenheit
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.
