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Brake Fluid Comparison

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by The Critic, Jun 6, 2012.

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  1. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    I've been using Castrol GTLMA (synthetic brake fluid) in my cars and motorcycle for many years and have not had any problems. Castrol claims that it absorbs far less moisture over time than other brake fluids. Cost is a little higher than generic brake fluid. I use to buy it just about anywhere. However recently I could not find it at Pep Boys, NAPA, or O'Reilly auto parts. Orchard Supply had it....

    Keith
     
    #21 Tech_Guy, Jun 13, 2012
  2. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

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    Don't waste your money. I recently tested the brake fluid on my 08 and it was just fine. Use a test strip and you'll see it's like new, I'm sure.
     
    #22 13Plug, Jun 13, 2012
  3. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Recalls Focus on Brake-fluid Polymer

    Here is something else to think about it. The lack of polymer lubricants has caused serious issues with certain Toyota and Honda master cylinders, prompting a recall. This was likely caused by people getting their brake fluid flushed (thinking they did a good thing) with generic DOT3. Perhaps this is why Honda has been adamant over the years about using the Genuine Honda DOT3 brake fluid - so they can ensure that the fluid has adequate polymer lubricants?

    Now I need to research this more....does anyone want my 4L of ATE TYP200 DOT4 fluid? :p
     
    #23 The Critic, Jun 15, 2012
  4. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    Some cars require a particular fluid -- and will specify that fluid. In my Porsche vehicles I use Pentosin (square can) as that is the OE and everybody knows it -- so that is the factory fluid at about 1/4 the cost from the dealers. Some companies recommend generaric fluids and do not package all these fluids required ..... MB sells all the fluids needed in MB containers ... The MB brake fluid is DOT4e and is only a couple of dollars more than going to one of the big box stores - about $11 per L .........So any car that does not specify a particular fluid and needs DOT4 gets the MB stuff. Toyota/ Lexus sells the proper brake fluid for the Prius -- not overly priced. This stuff is not all that complicated - I find a online dealer selling factory parts and buy them - the cost difference is not worth it to me. I use Irontoad.com for Lexus parts .. and will order maintenance parts for the Toyota from them. Lexus just lists DOT3 for all the ones we have.
     
    #24 yeldogt, Jun 15, 2012
  5. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    This thread has caused a lot of confusion about brake fluid. Too much of the commentary is unsupported personal opinion without any authoritative reference to back it up. There is no need to make this more complicated than it is.

    I hope that everyone would agree that the Toyota Service Manual is the authoritative source for the brake fluid specification. The brake fluid specification in the Toyota Service Manual is "SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT3". This a minimum, not exact, requirement, meaning you can use a brake fluid that meets or exceeds this specification, for example, the following Valvoline DOT3 & 4 brake fluid:

    Valvoline.com > Products > Valvoline > DOT 3 4 Brake Fluid Valvoline > Valvoline® DOT 3 & 4 Brake Fluid

    Also, given the complexities of flushing the Prius regenerative braking system, the $500.00 cost of the Tech Stream Lite stuff and a good chance of screwing it up, the $130.00 cost to have the dealer do it looks like a good deal and the smart way to go.
     
    #25 Den49, Jun 16, 2012
  6. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    The vehicle calls for DOT3 - that is what the factory installed. All cars will list a min specification unless they require a proprietary fluid. Like many other fluids you can have great overlap in the specifications -- that is why you see the DOT3 /4 fluids. Some fluids have other additives. You can have two fluids that meet a minimum specification but have different additives for different applications -- so the fluids are different but they meet the same specification. The point of all of this is the fluid needed is DOT3 ...... Your not gaining anything with DOT4.
     
    #26 yeldogt, Jun 16, 2012
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