> Date: Mon, 23 Mar 92 09:55:43 -0800
> From: Philippe Habib <phabib@apple.com>
> Message-Id: <9203231755.AA22050@apple.com>
> To: british-cars@autox.team.net
> Subject: Brake fluids
>
> Can someone provide a quick description of the 3 kinds of brake fluid?
>
> All I know is DOT 3 rots rubber and DOT 5 is silicone and while being kind to
> rubber and not absorbing water, traps air instead?
>
> What is the DOT 4 stuff? How important is it that I drain the DOT 3 out of
> my TR7 and replace it? Should I use 4 or 5? The car is an occasional use
> street only car.
I believe DOT4 is glycol based just like DOT3 but I'll let others expand
on that. Personally I would not put in DOT5 unless you're planing on
disassembling all of the individual components and cleaning them. It's
just not a good idea to mix fluid types. If you are planning a complete
redo of you're braking system and can get every bit of the old fluid
out, Silicone is probably a good choice, especially for the type of use
you describe. But you can not get all of the old fluid out by flushing
alone. DOT4 might be a good choice if you just want to replace the old
DOT3 since it is compatible and is kinder and gentler to rubber.
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