10/19/13

::Different types of Brake Fluid ::

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Different types of Brake Fluid

There are various types and no. of specifications are available in the world, like FMVSS 116- DOT3, DOT4,
DOT5, DOT5.1; SAE-J1703, J1704, J1705; ISO-4025, JIS-K-2233 etc; and OEM also made own specification.
Every car owner wants to know about the difference of various types of brake fluid.
Basically there are two type of brake fluids (1) Petroleum (mineral oil) base (2) Non petroleum base. As
petroleum base brake fluid is rarely used in automobile industry. Non- petroleum based brake fluid is widely
used by the industry. FMVSS-116 brake fluid specification is based upon non- petroleum products and this
specification is universal accepted brake fluid specification, so it is better for us to know the difference
between the brake fluids in this specification. First of all, it's important to understand the chemical nature of
brake fluid. DOT 3, DOT4, DOT5.1 brake fluids are the mixtures of glycols and glycol ethers. DOT 5 is
silicone base
The main differences in the brake fluid are as per below :1) Boiling point(ERBP)
BRA KE
FLUID

MINIMUM BOILING POINT (ERBP)

SPECIFICA TION
DRY

WET

DOT 3

205 Deg C

140 Deg C

DOT 4

230 Deg C

155 Deg C

DOT 5

260 Deg C

180 Deg C

DOT 5.1

260 Deg C

180 Deg C

2) Viscosity
Kinematic viscosity: All brake fluids (DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 & DOT 5.1) must meet a minimum viscosity
test of not less than 1.5 centistokes at 100 C and must not be more than the following to meet their various
classifications.

BRA KE FLUID

MA XIMUM VISCOSITY
A T MINUS 40 Deg C

DOT 3

1500 cst

DOT 4

1800 cst

DOT 5

900 cst

DOT 5.1

900 cst

(3) Color:
The Brake Fluids are available in various colours like Brake Fluid DOT 3 is available in clear, Pale Yellow,
Blue & C rimson Red colour, similarly brake fluid DOT 4 is available in C lear, Pale Yellow & C rimson Red
colour, brake fluid DOT 5.1 is available C lear, Pale Yellow & Blue colour. Brake Fluid DOT 5 is available in
Purple & Violet colour so colour is not a criteria to distinguish between the different types of brake fluids.
The color is added in brake fluid to detect the leakage easily and color does not effect the quality of brake
fluid.
DOT 3: This brake fluid is a poly glycol base product. Its dry boiling point (ERBP) is 205C minimum and
wet boiling point (Wet ERBP) is 140C minimum. It absorbs 1 to 2 percent of water per year depending on
climate and operating conditions. It is used in most domestic cars and light trucks in normal driving. This
brake fluid does not require cleaning the system and can be mixed with DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 without damage
the system. This brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere thus reduces its boiling point (ERBP). It
can also damage the paint on a vehicle.

DOT 4:This brake fluid is also based upon poly glycol. Its dry boiling point (ERBP) is 230C minimum and
wet boiling point (Wet ERBP) is 155C minimum. It is used in medium and higher size of modern cars; and
also for vehicles in high-altitude, towing, high-speed braking situations or ABS systems. This brake fluid
does not require cleaning the system and it can be mixed with DOT 3,DOT 5.1 without damage to the
system. This brake fluid also absorbs moisture out of the atmosphere thus reduces its boiling point (ERBP).
It can also damage the paint on a vehicle. The modified poly glycol boric ester DOT4 brake fluid is also
available.
DOT 5: This brake fluid is based upon silicone. Its dry boiling point (ERBP) is 260C minimum and wet
boiling point is (Wet ERBP) 180C . It is used in applications, like for weekend, antique, collector cars that sit
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10/19/13

::Different types of Brake Fluid ::

boiling point is (Wet ERBP) 180C . 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.
DOT 5.1: This brake fluid is also based upon poly glycol. Its dry boiling point (ERBP) is 260C minimum and
wet boiling point (Wet ERBP) is 180C minimum. It is used in severe-duty vehicles such as fleets and
delivery trucks; towing vehicles, and racecars. It can be mixed with DOT 3 or DOT 4 without damage to the
system. It maintains higher boiling point than DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluids. It is excellent for severe duty
applications particularly for racing of car. It also absorbs moisture out of the atmosphere and thus reduces
its boiling point. It can also damage the paint on a vehicle.
For more details of Brake Fluid , Antifreeze Coolant , Car care Products & other C hemicals please log
on www.advancepetro.com

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