Knowing the Best Brake Fluid that Assures Maximum Safety to You and your Car in all Weather
Did you know that there is nothing as terrifying as when the brakes of your car show signs of giving out on the highway, or when you are speeding down a crest? You start feeling like the end of you and your precious vehicle is finally knocking.
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...Well, that sounds scaring, right?
But here is the reality: to claim that we actually care, we need to know that both the safety of a car and the lives being transported in there fully depends on the reliability of the brakes. In simple words, brake failures are a topic of life and death!
Brakes cannot function effectively without the best brake fluid; in fact, usage of the wrong product has been linked to accidents, deaths and property damage.
Unfortunately, most people don’t really know much about brake fluid, how it works and how essential it is, which in the actual sense this fluid is everything when it comes to the safety of all moving cars.
What happens when you press your brake pedals is that the force on the lever is transformed into pressure (also known as hydraulic pressure) after it meets the braking liquid. This is what slows down or stops the vehicle.
If what you are having as brake fluid in the braking system is not of the set standard, the danger is looming. Well, that is not meant to scare you but to help you take precaution.
While there are several reasons (i.e. brake-jam, leaks and insufficient brake fluid,) which lead to brake system letdowns -brake fluid failure resulting from a substandard product is one factor that may also cause mayhem. Because of ignoring brake fluid quality and these other issues, car damage and fatalities have multiplied.
Knowing the Best Brake Fluid
So to be Precise what is Brake Fluid, is it just any other liquid?
Well, this is a special fluid used in the braking systems -it’s also known as "hydraulic fluid." The word hydraulic ideally means powered or moved by fluids. Besides the braking system, this substance , as a clutch fluid in manual gear transmission cars -that is, for vehicles that don’t use the automatic gearbox.
Technically speaking, this fluid is the one that makes the job done. As in, after you’ve pressed the pedal, force is created and that creates pressure on the brake fluid causing the caliper pistons to friction the brake linings, against the rotating hub.
This means the fluid must work perfectly under pressure. Its boiling point should also be reliable to avoid unexpected vaporization that often leads to brake fluid failure.
Important to note:
- Brake fluid level
Image source: drivingschoolkerry
Ideally, you need to ensure that the brake fluid levels of your car remain as directed by the manufacturer -on the canister, once it lowers refill it. And if the product you are using seems to always go down in level within no time, that could be a sign that it is evaporating at a dangerous rate, so you should replace it.
- Brake fluid and Moisture
It’s also very necessary to flush your brakes periodically to remove both air and moisture from the system. Some brake fluids are more hygroscopic than others, that is they absorb moisture at a higher rate -which in return makes the brake fluid to degrade and unable to function in the hydraulic system. Ideally, the cover on the fluid glass must always remain tightened.
Exact Benefits of the Best Brake Fluid
While the benefits of the best brake fluid may not come in a long bullet list, you can be sure that its importance are un-assumable. Below are just but a few points to highlight:
- It prevents corrosion in the brake system
- It saves lives when the driver has to stop instantly
- Prime brake fluids don’t boil unexpectedly
- It prevents damages that may devalue your car - (after an accident.)
- It absorbs excess moisture that may cause harm to the internal brake system.
- When the best hydraulic fluid is in the system, the driver drives with confidence
- And it’s not corrosive to the user’s hands
Do I Need the Best Brake Fluid or any product can Serve the Purpose?
Best means the product is tested; approved by both international safety regulators and a good number of users -and has been found exceptionally reliable. So why should you get anything that has not earned affirmation into your car’s braking system?
To say that your car is safe to drive, the first thing to have assurance with is the braking system, meaning the brake fluid must be prime and dependable.
Think of, you are driving at a high speed, then the brakes (for having a weak fluid) refuse to respond, off cause that means “the unspeakable.” That’s the reason you cannot afford to continue using just any other brake fluid that you are not sure of when it comes to quality and reliability.
So Which is the Best to Try Out?
Below is a smart list of five brake fluid products I have populated to keep you from the hustle of having to look all over the internet.
Top Five Picks in Best Brake Fluid Products to Consider!
Image | Product Name | Our Rating | View Product |
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ATE Typ200 is greatly loved by motorsport participants for its tolerance, aside from being the most popular brake fluid. It performs perfectly well with high-speeding cars -it never fails, its resilient low boiling point supports this.
Well, it’s not only best for racing but also very the in street use. Another property that gives it a plus is that the fluid is long lasting and can remain in a sure use for up to 3 years. That is, this brake fluid proves amazingly cost friendly in the long run.
It is also compatible with other fluids of category DOT 1, 3, 4 and Dot 5, meaning you’ll just add on top of what you already have!
Via amazon.com
Our Rating
Pros
- Does not become squishy when temps rise
- Has a dry BP of 536deg. C minimum, and WBT of 374deg.C, which also gives it excellent water locking properties.
- Has special additives that offer it a superb corrosion protection value
- Offers extended brake fluid changing intervals -3 years making it cost friendly.
- It’s ideally cheap against the value it offers.
Cons
- It’s not advisable to mix it with high dot synthetic fluids
- Some people forget to flush and replace the fluid after 3 years has elapsed because it’s a long time.
The Castrol is another best hydraulic fluid for racing cars because of its exceptionally high boiling point. Meaning it doesn’t heat to evaporate that easily, on top of that it has superior anti-vapor characteristics. It offers prime braking in arduous times such as rallying and racing.
It also exceeds the specifications claimed by DOT3 and DOT 4 brake fluids -courtesy of its exclusive European Formula, meaning it's is super reliable. Its boiling points range within 270 deg. C as the typical max wet boiling point, and 310 deg. C as the typical max dry boiling point -this ideally raises its usability compared to other brands.
Via amazon.com
Our Rating
Pros
- Comes with proven anti-vapor lock characteristics
- Offers superior braking in racing and rallying
- Goes beyond DOT4 type fluids when it comes to performance
- Works with DOT 4 systems despite being silicon ester based
- Doesn’t boil even under heavy use
Cons
- The packaging looks old school for some people, which may invite questions in relation to the product expiry.
The Prestone Hi-Temp comes with a special design, which avails an extra-margin of boiling point protection. It made with polyglycol ethers, a great component for hot-brake-system operations that are known to hinder dangerous vapor from forming.
This ideally eliminates spongy pedals hence delivering braking at the exact time and point it is required. It’s also synthetic made and fashioned for today’s modern brake systems. Its lowest dry boiling point stands at 238 deg. C, and wet boiling point at 140deg.C -which perfectly agrees with FMV 116 safety standards.
Via amazon.com
Our Rating
Pros
- By meeting SAE J1703 expectations, you are sure this fluid is quality checked and approved.
- Works excellently with disc, drum and ABS brake systems.
- Safe for modern cars use because it is built with current day car technology.
- Delivers extra safe braking experience in extreme situations.
- Evades changes of dangerous vaporization.
Cons
- Gotta ensure the product is not shipped from old stock for intact delivery
- It so cheap that one may get concerned about quality
The RBF Mogul 600 works best with hydraulic actuated clutch and brake systems requiring non-silicon fluids. It is technically made to resist heat levels in actuated brake (carbon or steel) systems.
On top of that, its quality standard goes beyond DOT 5.1 rating. It also has elaborate properties of humidity absorption, which in a way reduces the boiling point, increasing the vapor-lock phenomena. Weather conditions don’t limit Motul’s function as it delivers instant braking results even in raining conditions.
It is unique in making as it doesn’t possess a shelf date, meaning it the project does not expire.
Via amazon.com
Our Rating
Pros
- It is a non-silicon synthetic fluid which gives it prime usability
- Provides extreme thermal resistance with stability
- Offers better aerodynamic performance
- Best for hydraulic-actuated brake systems
- Higher boiling point of up to 312 deg. C and high wet point of 205 deg. C
Cons
- In most cases, it's recommended for high heat applications
- May seem darker in color
The Super Dot 4 draws its praise from being universally usable. As in, it is widely used in modern ABS systems. Its high resistance to water absorbency provides an excellent corrosion resistance property, so it ideally helps to maintain the brake system.
It is best for underfloor made master cylinders. Experts say after you’ve put super dot 4 you are not supposed to skimp on the brake fluid. It is low in viscosity but that ranges within the need of most top carmakers in today’s market.
Its B.P is also way too high to evaporate at normal and extreme use.
Via amazon.com
Our Rating
Pros
- Can be used in clutch, brakes and across many car types
- Comes with prime resistance to water retention and absorption
- Comes with prime resistance to water retention and absorption
- Vapor lock protection
- Ideal for ABS brake system on all cars
Cons
- The product is speculated to bring birth defect, so don’t allow close conduct.
We have had the list and the details, now, let us do a smart pick of the top properties and features to look into while comparing these products, in order to get the top one best.
Comparison Table
Item | Dry Boiling Point | Wet Boiling Point | Compatibility with |
|---|---|---|---|
1. ATE TYP 200 DT 4 | Max 536deg. C Best | Max 374deg.C | Dot 1,3,4,5 (best) |
2. Castrol SRF Racing | Max 270 deg.C good | Max 310deg. C | Dot 3,4 |
3. Prestone AS401 Syn | Max 238 deg. C OK | Max 140deg.C | Dot, 3 |
4. Motul RBF 600 | Max 312 deg.C good | Max 205 deg. C | OK up to 5.1 |
5. Pentosin Super Dot 4 | Max 265 deg.C OK | 165deg. C | OK |
Which One Should You Select?
Well, each and every product has their unique quality, that’s why these five made it to the top picks here. However, off cause there is that which stands out among all the best selected, and in my opinion the ATE Typ200 DOT 4 takes the crown! So I would recommend you pick it. Reasons being: first, you can add to your car on the go because it’s compatible with all Dot 3, 4, 5 and even Dot 1.
Another outstanding thing is that it doesn’t turn squishy at increased temperature -both its dry and wet boiling point ranges makes it very resilient in different uses.
In addition, ATE 200 works best for all cars especially the high-speeding vehicles. It can last up to 3 years to the next over whole flushing and replacement, offering top service -so you’ll not need to frequent the garage for that.
Conclusion
Ideally, selecting the best brake fluid becomes very easy with the right knowledge of the available top products. Well, you’ve just had it all here -and thank goodness that all these products are amazingly cheap! -so pick the brake fluid you think is best for your car not just, because the features of a certain product sound nice, OK? Good luck with your selection!
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