Brake & Clutch Fluid - DOT 4 or DOT 4 ESP?

Oct 16, 2023
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1
I have a 2015 Seat Leon FR which needs clutch fluid topped up. I know I need DOT 4 fluid, but I saw 2 variations when looking online - regular DOT 4 and DOT 4 ESP.
Is there any major difference between the 2? Can they be mixed? Since I'm not sure which DO4 is currently being used in my car. Thanks
 

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
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South Scotland
I'd think that it will be DOT4 ESP that is already in your car, that is what has been recommended for all VW Group cars from before this age onwards.

The thing is, VW Group can only specify DOT4 on the reservoir because that is basically all that DOT4 ESP is - but as said it has a lower viscosity that the original spec for DOT4 - so until another/newer more relevant DOT spec is raised, these brake/clutch reservoirs will keep on recommending DOT4 while if you dig deeply into the spec of the brake fluid that VW Group market, you will see that it is defined as being a bit more than basic DOT4 - ie DOT4 ESP and some other sort of unofficial names.
 
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