View Full Version : Brake Fluid DOT rating explained
I just posted this elsewhere and thought some of you might like to read it:
http://www.shotimes.com/SHO3brakefluid.html
Not bad, but it does not mention about DOT5.1 which is compatable with DOT4 and the like. I have DOT5.1 in my car and my pedal is rock hard, on my car it is far better than DOT4.
Steve
Autotechnics tell me that there is a DOT5.2 coming out sometime soon. I don't kno any of the details though.
BTW, anyone know why DOT 5.1 is called 5.1? Why not call it DOT 6 or something? I don't think it has anything to do with DOT 5.
Cheers
Ben
5.1 as i understand was designed for cars with abs , but the chart does not explain why castrol srf which is what i use in 2 of my cars has the highest boiling points yet is actually a dot 4 fluid .
The dot ratings do not just refer to temps at all.
The bps are only a minimum for that particular DOT rating tho. For most the wet bp is the one to look for unless you change your fluid extremely regularly
This should answer all of the questions above http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/brakefluid1a.htm
Some interesting comment on sticking to the same spec fuild as the car comes from the factory with and about pressure bleeding
i understan that SRf is very hydrscopic therefore has a anual fluid change , well i do it every winter.
Can i change from DOT4 in my car to DOT5.1 without worry about warranty etc?