Dot 3 or 4 brake fluid...

[luvtoride]

It's that time for new fluid for the bike. Will be by the auto parts store to get me some before I get home to my service manual. So, you wise ones.... or wise *****... which one is it?

 

[puppychow]

https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/718/what-is-the-difference-between-dot3-and-dot4-brake-fluids

I use DOT4 as the manual calls for DOT4, and since I am not a genius to know better..

This guy below probably definitely knows more..

https://www.fjrtech.net/getdbitem.cfm?item=32

 

[FJRay]

The dot 4 has a higher boiling point.

 

[puppychow]

The dot 4 has a higher boiling point.

What he said and what they talk about in the first link I posted. Brakes = Kinetic energy converted to heat because of friction. Don't want your brake fluid boiling. Yama mama thinks DOT4 is required. So DOT4 it is.

 

[Bustanut joker]

dot4 is all we've ever used here, and to date nobody has cooked the brakes and crashed.

However, remember this is michigan.. it's pretty much don't use the brakes until you finish the quarter mile.

4 should be fine.

 

[luvtoride]

FYI: I looked in the Bin o facts for this info & didn't see it. No search... just bin o facts scan.

Thank you guys.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Dot 4. Should be embossed on the top of the reservoir covers.

 

[Intech]

So, you wise ones.... or wise *****... which one is it?

I vote for wise *****! ( Guess that makes me one)

And Dot 4, just to stay on topic.

 

[Fontanaman]

And when at the auto parts store only get as much DOT 4 as you need for the stuff does not keep well.

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Whatever you do, DON'T use Maker's Mark. The new formula has a higher water content, and thus will boil sooner..........

 

[Intech]

Whatever you do, DON'T use Maker's Mark. The new formula has a higher water content, and thus will boil sooner..........

Stop spreading misinformation! They are not changing the bourtbon. It is stil DOT 45 (%ABV)

 

[lnewlf]

Whatever you do, DON'T use Maker's Mark. The new formula has a higher water content, and thus will boil sooner..........

not tru -they came to their senzziz....but it will lower your freezing point..

 

[luvtoride]

I vote for wise *****! ( Guess that makes me one)

Dude! without doubt, I already knew this.

 

[luvtoride]

And when at the auto parts store only get as much DOT 4 as you need for the stuff does not keep well.

So, how much is flushing & filling brakes... front & rear & doing clutch, also? I don't really know. I'd probably err on the side of a larger bottle. I really don't know what's available as far as bottle size... but would assume 16 oz is likely good?

 

[Intech]

And when at the auto parts store only get as much DOT 4 as you need for the stuff does not keep well.

So, how much is flushing & filling brakes... front & rear & doing clutch, also? I don't really know. I'd probably err on the side of a larger bottle. I really don't know what's available as far as bottle size... but would assume 16 oz is likely good?

Heidi do you have speed bleeders? They really minimize how much you use and are so easy. I doubt I used 16 oz. but I had the big bottle and really can't tell without measuring what is left. I drained into an old coffee can and can't remeber how much exactly was in there but I don't think it was 16 oz.

 

[Fontanaman]

And when at the auto parts store only get as much DOT 4 as you need for the stuff does not keep well.

So, how much is flushing & filling brakes... front & rear & doing clutch, also? I don't really know. I'd probably err on the side of a larger bottle. I really don't know what's available as far as bottle size... but would assume 16 oz is likely good?

I got by with a smaller bottle. If you live a long way from the auto parts store buy two small bottles. Un-opened the bottles will keep for a long time.

 

[C&C]

A pint is plenty (with some left over); keep it tightly capped and it will store just fine.

 

[Chuck35]

I got 2 small bottles, only used 1. Several auto parts stores here didn't have old school dot4. They tried to sell me a dot3 / dot4 which is a synthetic. I found what I was after at O' Reileys.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Not to be an ***, but what does the top of the reservoir say?? "Use ONLY DOT4 fluid" or something like that. Lol.

It's DOT 4, and I wouldn't put DOT 3 in it.

Like others, I would get two small bottles. Last time I bought a big bottle and threw away at least half, maybe more. Remember, if you break the bottle's seal, the fluid should be tossed.