Brake Fluids

Power Express® performs brakes fluid boiling point test for every car we service


Brake Fluid

One of the very forgotten item to be serviced is actually our brake fluids. For starters, the moment the bottle of brake fluid is opened, it starts absorbing moisture. It is the rate and amount of moisture absorbed by the brake fluid that affects the fluid's performance during braking.





Moisture also causes a number of problems like :
1. Viscosity rises in lower temperature, so more force to be applied for brake every time.
2. Spongy brake paddle due to presence of water vapour.
3. Brake failure chances increase in low temperature due to formation of ice crystal in line.
4. Moisture wears the component failure due to internal rust and deterioration.
5. Moisture initiates the oxidation of brake fluid components to reduce its life.

With proper brake fluid testers which actually boils the fluid and measures ERBP, we will be able to tell whether it is time to change the fluid. In North America, there are companies fighting to pass a law that requires all cars to be tested for ERBP.

..."It is observed that vehicle owners are not giving much attention in changing the brake fluid and during the checks, it found that 80% of the cars tested have not met the specification. The owners are also not so much worried about the changes(brake fluid) because they are not facing any trouble during the drive"


DOT 3 Brake Fluid:
Dry boiling point 205ºC
Wet boiling point 140ºC
Crimson, Pale Yellow, Blue colored, transparent & free flow liquid.
Most popular economical standard brake fluid product for Modern Street driven vehicles.

DOT 4 Brake Fluid:
Dry boiling point 230ºC
Wet boiling point 155ºC
Crimson, Pale Yellow, Blue colored, transparent & free flow liquid.
Superior performance at high temperature in worst condition.

DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid:
Dry boiling point 260ºC
Wet boiling point 180ºC
Eliminate vapor lock and brake fade during the race
Orange colored, transparent & free flow liquid.
Most suitable for racing Cars.

*Dry equilibrium reflux boiling point (ERBP)–the boiling point of new, freshly opened brake fluid.

**Wet ERBP–the boiling point of brake fluid having absorbed 3 percent water. Only 3 percent water contamination is often sufficient to reduce a DOT 3 fluid’s boiling point below the DOT minimum.

Notes on Dot 5
DOT 5: This brake fluid is based upon silicone. Its dry boiling point (ERBP) is 260°C minimum and wet boiling point is (Wet ERBP) 180°C. It is used in applications, like for weekend, antique, collector cars that sit for long periods and for some military vehicles. Some car manufacturers are also used in their road driven vehicles. This brake fluid does not mix with DOT 3, DOT 4 or DOT 5.1. It will not absorb water and will not damage the paint on a vehicle. It is also compatible with most rubber formulations. It absorbs more air and giving poor pedal feeling. It is unsuitable for racing due to more compressibility under high temperatures. If as little as one drop of water enters the fluid, severe localized corrosion, freezing or gassing may occur. This can happen because water is heavier and not mixable with silicone fluids thus it is unsuitable for ABS.

DOT 5 fluid is highly compressible due to aeration and foaming under normal braking conditions, providing a spongy brake feel. Poly glycol type fluids are 2 times less compressible than silicone type fluids, even when heated.

Article taken from http://advancepetro.com/brakefluid.htm

Power Express® Dry ERBP Tests
Dot 3 (Min 205ºC):
coming soon...

Dot 4 (Min 230ºC):
Bosch Dot 4: 276ºC $15

Dot 5.1 (Min 260ºC, with Racing Specs):
Martini Racing Dot 5.1: 287ºC $55
Motul Dot 5.1: > 320ºC