Brake Fluid mixup
#1
Brake Fluid mixup
2000 DS650. Calls for Dot 4 brake fluid. after completely flushing and bleeding both front and read brake systems (complete fluid exchange until fluid ran clear) I was putting the bottle away and noticed it was Dot 3 synthetic.
Here is what I know. Dot 3 has a boiling point of around 400F. Dot 4 BP around 440F. Dot 3 synthetic is around 470 BP, so I came out good in that respect.
Since I did not mix old and new fluids, is there any concern that it's synthetic, or is it just that BRP screams "NO SYNTHETIC" for warranty reasons?
Thanks
Here is what I know. Dot 3 has a boiling point of around 400F. Dot 4 BP around 440F. Dot 3 synthetic is around 470 BP, so I came out good in that respect.
Since I did not mix old and new fluids, is there any concern that it's synthetic, or is it just that BRP screams "NO SYNTHETIC" for warranty reasons?
Thanks
#2
OK. This is what I believe so far...
DOT 3 dry BP is ~400F, DOT 4 dry BP is ~440F, DOT 3 synthetic dry BP is ~470, and DOT 4 synthetic dry BP is ~500F. These are all glycol based fluids, and the difference (just like motor oil) is the additive packages. I believe the reason that once synthetics came around (after DOT 4 came out. I'm not going to talk about DOT 5 at all here) the manufactures made DOT 3 synthetic is for people that feel the need to keep a DOT 3 product when the brake fluid reservoir cover says "USE DOT 3". Same idea applies for DOT 4. The difference in BP for DOT 3 syn and DOT 4 syn falls along the same lines.
I think I am fine. It would be nice if an expert chimed in though.
DOT 3 dry BP is ~400F, DOT 4 dry BP is ~440F, DOT 3 synthetic dry BP is ~470, and DOT 4 synthetic dry BP is ~500F. These are all glycol based fluids, and the difference (just like motor oil) is the additive packages. I believe the reason that once synthetics came around (after DOT 4 came out. I'm not going to talk about DOT 5 at all here) the manufactures made DOT 3 synthetic is for people that feel the need to keep a DOT 3 product when the brake fluid reservoir cover says "USE DOT 3". Same idea applies for DOT 4. The difference in BP for DOT 3 syn and DOT 4 syn falls along the same lines.
I think I am fine. It would be nice if an expert chimed in though.
#3
I can't get a good consensus anywhere. More digging about DOT 4 shows it contains boric acid (DOT 3 does not). Under pressure, boric acid decreases friction in sliding components, so that is my best guess why I should stick with DOT 4 if Nissian is counting on the added lubrication to keep the calipers working well.
Luckly, it's pretty easy to flush and bleed the brake system on the DS650, and a small bottle of brake fluid cost less than $3. Ill be flushing the DOT3 before I go ride this weekend.
Hope this helps someone else down the road.
Luckly, it's pretty easy to flush and bleed the brake system on the DS650, and a small bottle of brake fluid cost less than $3. Ill be flushing the DOT3 before I go ride this weekend.
Hope this helps someone else down the road.
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09-07-2015 03:39 AM
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