#Will dot 3 brake fluid damage paint drivers
#Will dot 3 brake fluid damage paint driver

#Will dot 3 brake fluid damage paint driver

The driver puts his foot on the brake pedal linked to the master cylinder full of brake fluid.

Brake fluids are necessary to transform force into pressure and augment the vehicle’s braking force to stop the car. Brake fluid is used in hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch applications. Without brake fluid, your car won’t stop when needed. Importance of Brake Fluid When you press the brake pedal, the brake fluid transfers the pushing force causing your vehicle to come to a stop when neededīrake fluid is necessary for your vehicle’s brakes to work properly. Let us take you through a detailed overview of brake fluid, its importance, different types, and its role in a car’s performance and safety.

#Will dot 3 brake fluid damage paint drivers

This is why they have to be replaced every two years.Brake fluid is one of the essential fluids in the car, and drivers are often aware of this fact. Lastly, DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluids absorb moisture from the air, which affects their hydraulic properties. Neither of them, though, should be mixed with the DOT5 brake fluid, as this one is silicon-based.ĭue to a different chemical structure, these won’t mix well. The only difference is their boiling point, which is higher for DOT4.Īs such, the DOT4 brake fluid is more suitable for demanding applications with a lot of heavy braking, such as when towing a trailer.

In essence, these are similar fluids, as they both are glycol-based. Most modern cars use either a DOT3 or DOT4 brake fluid. Doing the other way around, however, is not recommended. In any event, you can’t go wrong by switching from DOT3 to DOT4 fluid, as this will increase its boiling point and make the brake system more durable under high loads. Or in some cases, this may also be displayed on the brake fluid reservoir cap, which you’ll find somewhere near the brake booster. You can always find information about which brake fluid is recommended for your specific vehicle in the owner’s manual. Dot4: Which one is the better brake fluid?ĭot3 is the more popular of the two brake fluids, but Dot4 is quickly gaining popularity because it is compatible with the standard traction control and anti-lock braking system.ĭot 4 has higher boiling points, making it better for all types of applications even though it is often a little bit more expensive, it is worth getting it instead. The wet boiling point is measured when the brake fluid contains water, and the dry boiling point is measured without water. Therefore, it is important that the boiling point be as high as possible. If it is heating up too much and starts to boil, you will lose the ability to brake your car, and that is the last thing you want to happen at a hill with a trailer. When you drive your car hard at hills or with a trailer and brake a lot, the brake fluid will heat up fast. This is the reason why you should replace it every year or 2nd year. What does the boiling point mean?Īs we told before, Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluids are hygroscopic, which means that they absorb water over time. You must also follow your manufacturer’s recommendations to know whether your braking system is compatible with Dot5 brake fluid. However, it is not compatible with Dot3 or Dot4 liquids and should never be mixed with them. It also has a higher boiling point than the brake fluids Dot3 and Dot4, making it more compatible with excessively aggressive driving. It maintains its integrity and works well. It does not absorb water from the air and is not compatible with ABS systems. Can you mix Dot 5 with Dot 3 and Dot 4?ĭot5 is a silicone-based brake fluid. If you have Dot 3 in your car from the factory and you know that you are often driving with a trailer or in steep hills, we strongly recommend refilling it with Dot 4 instead. However, if your car has Dot 4 from the factory, it’s not recommended to fill it with Dot 3 the other way around is fine. That’s because both of them are glycol-based brake fluids, which means that they are compatible with each other. Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid can be mixed. They are hygroscopic and absorb water from the atmosphere, which means that care must be taken when storing and regularly replacing potentially contaminated fluids. The Dot 4 brake fluid does have both a higher wet and dry boiling point and is better suited for higher performance.īoth Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluids are glycol-based products used in your braking system. The main difference between the Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid is the boiling point.