Dot 5 brake fluid
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Junior Member
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 34
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From: Quincy, IL
Car: 91 Formula
Engine: 350
Transmission: TKO450
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Dot 5 brake fluid
Has anybody here used DOT 5 brake fluid? I had heard it was more for show cars, because it wouldn't eat the paint, but was no good for racing because the silicone is compresable and gives the brakes a spongy feel. But yesterday, a guy I work with said that is the only thing he runs in his jeep and that it will stop on a dime. Then again he also said driving off road, he uses more brakes than a road race car. Maybe he drives different than I do off road, but I never used the brakes in my pickup that much. So what do you guys think, is he full of it, or would DOT 5 be a good thing to switch the formula to this winter when I put bigger brakes on it? Thanks for you help. Ryan
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 790
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From: Pigeon Forge ,TN
Car: Firebird
Engine: 2.8 v/6
Transmission: t/5
Axle/Gears: open/3.42
Re: Dot 5 brake fluid
My '85 Harley uses the 5 from the factory and stops great they also make a 4 . I would look into both but be shure you flush all the 3 out before running the 4 or 5 because they are not compatable with the 3 .
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,800
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From: Bremerton, WA
Car: 1992 RS / 1989 RS
Engine: 3.1L MFI / Vortec 383 TBI
Transmission: T5 / LS-T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open / 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: Dot 5 brake fluid
http://www.tccoa.com/brake-fluid/
From that link:
From that link:
DOT5 brake fluid is also known as "silicone" brake fluid.
Advantages:
*DOT5 doesn't eat paint.
*DOT5 does not absorb water and may be useful where water absorption is a problem.
*DOT5 is compatible with all rubber formulations. (See more on this under disadvantages, below.)
Disadvantages:
*DOT5 does NOT mix with DOT3, DOT4 or DOT5.1. Most reported problems with DOT5 are probably due to some
degree of mixing with other fluid types. The best way to convert to *DOT5 is to totally rebuild the hydraulic
system.
*Reports of DOT5 causing premature failure of rubber brake parts were more common with early DOT5
formulations. This is thought to be due to improper addition of swelling agents and has been fixed in recent
formulations.
*Since DOT5 does not absorb water, any moisture in the hydraulic system will "puddle" in one place. This can
cause localized corrosion in the hydraulics.
*Careful bleeding is required to get all of the air out of the system. Small bubbles can form in the fluid that will form
large bubbles over time. It may be necessary to do a series of bleeds.
*DOT5 is slightly compressible (giving a very slightly soft pedal), and has a lower boiling point than DOT4.
*DOT5 is about twice as expensive as DOT4 fluid. It is also difficult to find, generally only available at selected
auto parts stores.
Advantages:
*DOT5 doesn't eat paint.
*DOT5 does not absorb water and may be useful where water absorption is a problem.
*DOT5 is compatible with all rubber formulations. (See more on this under disadvantages, below.)
Disadvantages:
*DOT5 does NOT mix with DOT3, DOT4 or DOT5.1. Most reported problems with DOT5 are probably due to some
degree of mixing with other fluid types. The best way to convert to *DOT5 is to totally rebuild the hydraulic
system.
*Reports of DOT5 causing premature failure of rubber brake parts were more common with early DOT5
formulations. This is thought to be due to improper addition of swelling agents and has been fixed in recent
formulations.
*Since DOT5 does not absorb water, any moisture in the hydraulic system will "puddle" in one place. This can
cause localized corrosion in the hydraulics.
*Careful bleeding is required to get all of the air out of the system. Small bubbles can form in the fluid that will form
large bubbles over time. It may be necessary to do a series of bleeds.
*DOT5 is slightly compressible (giving a very slightly soft pedal), and has a lower boiling point than DOT4.
*DOT5 is about twice as expensive as DOT4 fluid. It is also difficult to find, generally only available at selected
auto parts stores.
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