[type954]

performed a brake fluid flush in one of the teeners today. at the FLAPS, all i saw was synthetic brake fluid. is all common brake fluid now synthetic? (note the word common). i used Prestone DOT 3. maybe i'm confusing it with silicone. someone edumacate me and don't flame me because i didn't use ATE blue/gold.

[matt de maria]

Silicone (dot 5) is nice for museum cars but doesn't act nicely under heat. Dot 3 has a high boiling point compared to ordinary dot 4 but degrades very quickly with moisture. Quicker than degradation of dot 4. For street cars I prefer dot 4, usually castrol LMA. For track use ATE BLUE or Gold, or fluid like Pentosin (called either dot 4 SUPER or DOT 5.1). This has a higher boiling point than ATE BLUE or Gold.

[jsilverm]

Most of the stores here in VA sell valvoline synpower synthetic fluid. Its got a slightly higher boiling point than standard DOT 3/4 fluids, and is fairly inexpensive. Its a nice cheap upgrade over the standard stuff.

[Andy Clements]

Synthetic is not the same as silicone. There are several brands out there marketing as "synthetic", but meeting DOT3 or 4 specs. That should not be confused with Silicone which is a whole different subject, and should not be mixed with other types.

WHY DIDN'T YOU USE ATE BLUE/GOLD!!!!

[type954]

Originally Posted by Andy Clements

WHY DIDN'T YOU USE ATE BLUE/GOLD!!!!

because i have (now had) blue in the system and needed to get this done before 7/4 and be good for a DE aug 21-22 so this should be good for 60 days. i'll probably pay the price for not using gold but will buy some fluid for the next time. i didn't see valvoline fluid at the FLAPS... or castrol LMA either...

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Being in Vienna, isn't OG like a 10 minute drive for you?

[type954]

Originally Posted by Lupin..the..3rd

Being in Vienna, isn't OG like a 10 minute drive for you?

much farther than 10 min, more like 40 but the posts above make me think i'm in for a trip to OG tomorrow. heck, need to make a test run (or insert excuse here).

[Redroc]

Originally Posted by type954

much farther than 10 min, more like 40 but the posts above make me think i'm in for a trip to OG tomorrow. heck, need to make a test run (or insert excuse here).

Jim, Olympus Auto Parts usually has ATE brake fluid. It will probably be around $14 a can but if you're in a bind...

[BlackTalon]

Originally Posted by type954

because i have (now had) blue in the system and needed to get this done before 7/4 and be good for a DE aug 21-22 so this should be good for 60 days. i'll probably pay the price for not using gold but will buy some fluid for the next time. i didn't see valvoline fluid at the FLAPS... or castrol LMA either...

For future braking flushes, it's not a problem using Blue when you have 'old Blue' in the system -- just be sure to flush a bit out through each caliper. I draw down the reservoir using a turkey baster, then flush about 1/3 of a can through the caliper that's furthest from the reservoir. Then I'll run about 1/4 a can through the next one, and split the remaining amount through the two closest calipers.

[magnetic1]

OG has Prospeed GS610 on sale in the store for $7.50 a bottle. This is a STEAL and I recommend buying before they run out.

Hell.. that is below our cost on them and they normally retail for $15/bottle