Dot 3 or Dot 4 ?

[Eliseo Monteverde]

I?d like to know what?s the diference btw DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid.
Do you have any experience using Dot 4 ?

Thanks.

[redliner1973]

DOT 4 has higher boiling temp than DOT 3. Dot 5 is silicon-based. and not to be used in a GS. Use DOT 4. :twisted:

[first timer]

are you sure about dot 5, i am using valvoline full syntetic brake fluid. it sez it is higher then both dot 3 and 4 but does not say it is dot 5 and i have been useing it for a year now with no problems. but i also fully flushed my brake system before using it. if you can give me more info i would apreciate it.

ryan

[redliner1973]

If silicone is introduced into an older brake system, the silicone will latch unto the sludge generated by gradual component deterioration and create a gelatin like goop which will attract more crud and eventually plug up metering orifices or cause pistons to stick. If you have already changed to DOT 5, don't compound your initial mistake and change back. Silicone is very tenacious stuff and you will never get it all out of your system. Just change the fluid regularly. Just make sure you have flushed your system very well. :twisted:

[first timer]

this is the stuff i used and the web site sez it's ok to use with conventional fluid

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=51

so i guess i will have no problems and it seems better then conventional.
i would recomend it to anyone that wants to flush there fluid and go with some new stuff.


ryan

[KEITH KRAUSE]

When my bike was brand new in '79, the lead mechanic suggested I run DOT 5 silicone. I've never had any problems with it. It does'nt attract moisture like glycol fluids and won't damage the paint. It seems to stay cleaner, longer, than glycol. Just my experience.

[saaz]

Each fluid has their advantage. I used silicone fluid for years, but changed back because of availability. I am using the same lines etc as before. I think that in racing use normal 5.1 fluids have improved a lot. Silicone based used to have an advantage but that is less so these days.

Remember that 5.1 fluid is still normal barke fluid just better. 5 is silicone. I don't know why they allowed such confusing numbering!

[Anonymous]

I've used both DoT 3 and 4 on my Suzukis, and I can't tell the difference. So, for the last 5 years or so it's been cheap Walmart DoT 3 fluid, at less than $1 per small bottle. Keeping it clean by changing every year or 2, and simply by riding a lot.

Nick

[Eliseo Monteverde]

Thanks guys for yours advices, and share whith me your experiences.