DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 fluids - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

slam33 · 09-27-2002, 02:46 PM

Wanted to find something special for my 1000th post, so here it is. I'm a big F1 fan and while I'm watching the coverage of the US Grand Prix practice session I saw something . Mine you these are the best of the best in automotive technology. The budgets for these teams is in the 200 million dollar range per season. I think these guys know what there doing. While the interviewer was in the Jaguar garage the team was filling the brake resevior. In there hands was a can of Castrol LMA fluid, dot 3/4. I know the sillicon stuff is great for paint but when I used it the stuff seemed spongy. This is just some info to think about when you guys are trying to decide what fluid to run. The 5 may protect your paint but the 3/4 seems to have a better heat rating which means better brakes.

Dutch · 09-27-2002, 03:39 PM

..I think another advantage to the DOT 5 besides the paint issue is it isn't as prone to pick up moisture during periods of inactivity as the 3/4.

I know all of the autocrossers in the MG club I used to be in ran the LMA

**ThreeQuarter** · 09-27-2002, 04:37 PM

I know, it's a ferd site but I picked up on this link at some point, looked good, so I saved it:

http://www.shotimes.com/SHO3brakefluid.html

slam33 · 09-27-2002, 06:34 PM

Interesting artical, maybe they were using the SRT fluid

chevy72402 · 09-27-2002, 06:54 PM

the reason it feels spongy is because it is not made for your application. I think from my schooling I remember them saying that there is a different lining used on brake hoses that use silicon and they only used it like 2 years in production vehicles.

RON WOODGEARD · 09-27-2002, 09:00 PM

I've used DOT-5 for around twenty years. It's high heat,it doesn't absorb moisture,it doesn't hurt the paint, and it's a lot more expensive.

You can use DOT-5 in our trucks with NO PROBLEMS. But you can't change the other way.(in other words you can't use DOT-3-4 in a DOT-5 system) If/when you change your sytem over just bleed it very well,and purge the old Fliud out. There is some DOT-5 that will MIX with 3-4 and there's some that won't.

RON

*Fast68Chevy* · 09-30-2002, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RON WOODGEARD
I've used DOT-5 for around twenty years. It's high heat,it doesn't absorb moisture,it doesn't hurt the paint, and it's a lot more expensive.

You can use DOT-5 in our trucks with NO PROBLEMS. But you can't change the other way.(in other words you can't use DOT-3-4 in a DOT-5 system) If/when you change your sytem over just bleed it very well,and purge the old Fliud out. There is some DOT-5 that will MIX with 3-4 and there's some that won't.

RON

makes it all sound risky..

where can you even find dot5 anyways ? i never see it at napa or auto zone or wal mart...

tom hand · 09-30-2002, 05:54 PM

Napa carries DOT 5, maybe the store you were in was out. I have used it in several different things with no problems. That is all that modern Harleys use. I could never tell the difference as far as the spondgeness thing, but I have heard that the higher the altitude the worse it is. If you have trick paint or a vehicle that sits in the garage more than it goes down the road it is the only way to go.

09-27-2002, 02:46 PM	#1
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 fluids Wanted to find something special for my 1000th post, so here it is. I'm a big F1 fan and while I'm watching the coverage of the US Grand Prix practice session I saw something . Mine you these are the best of the best in automotive technology. The budgets for these teams is in the 200 million dollar range per season. I think these guys know what there doing. While the interviewer was in the Jaguar garage the team was filling the brake resevior. In there hands was a can of Castrol LMA fluid, dot 3/4. I know the sillicon stuff is great for paint but when I used it the stuff seemed spongy. This is just some info to think about when you guys are trying to decide what fluid to run. The 5 may protect your paint but the 3/4 seems to have a better heat rating which means better brakes. __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

09-27-2002, 03:39 PM	#2
Dutch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leipsic, OH Posts: 81	That castrol LMA 3/4 is good stuff.... ..I think another advantage to the DOT 5 besides the paint issue is it isn't as prone to pick up moisture during periods of inactivity as the 3/4. I know all of the autocrossers in the MG club I used to be in ran the LMA __________________ Dutch 1972 Super Cheyenne K20 1976 MGB 1950 Harley FL 1997 Arctic Cat ZR580 "Maybe if I had a couple less hobbies, I'd have time to enjoy one!"

09-27-2002, 04:37 PM	#3
ThreeQuarter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texan in Iowa Posts: 2,522	I know, it's a ferd site but I picked up on this link at some point, looked good, so I saved it: http://www.shotimes.com/SHO3brakefluid.html __________________ Ben '68 Chevy C10 Custom LWB 327/TH400 2nd owner '16 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Dblcab 4wd 5.3

09-27-2002, 06:34 PM	#4
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	Interesting artical, maybe they were using the SRT fluid __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

09-27-2002, 06:54 PM	#5
chevy72402 FARMER/RANCHER Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: SD Posts: 597	the reason it feels spongy is because it is not made for your application. I think from my schooling I remember them saying that there is a different lining used on brake hoses that use silicon and they only used it like 2 years in production vehicles. __________________ 1972 chevy super, long box, 402 big block (2,000 miles on rebuild) 2wd tach, tilt, tool box on bedside, a/c, sliding rear window, orange and white. 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd, tach, tilt, a/c, my first engine overhauling experience, Orange, with white top 2006 Gmc Sierra, XM, Z-71, dark blue, onstar, leather, rear entertainment (audio only) heated seats, (the wife loves that feature) upgraded tires immediately after purchase to Goodyear Wrangler AT/S (hate those rock throwers that come from the factory) BWC

09-27-2002, 09:00 PM	#6
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	I've used DOT-5 for around twenty years. It's high heat,it doesn't absorb moisture,it doesn't hurt the paint, and it's a lot more expensive. You can use DOT-5 in our trucks with NO PROBLEMS. But you can't change the other way.(in other words you can't use DOT-3-4 in a DOT-5 system) If/when you change your sytem over just bleed it very well,and purge the old Fliud out. There is some DOT-5 that will MIX with 3-4 and there's some that won't. RON

09-30-2002, 05:54 PM	#8
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Napa carries DOT 5, maybe the store you were in was out. I have used it in several different things with no problems. That is all that modern Harleys use. I could never tell the difference as far as the spondgeness thing, but I have heard that the higher the altitude the worse it is. If you have trick paint or a vehicle that sits in the garage more than it goes down the road it is the only way to go. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.