Can DOT 5
Brake Fluid Be Used Instead of DOT 3 or 4?
Always refer to vehicle owner's manual for what the
manufacturer recommends or warns against. As a rule,
vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS) should not use
DOT 5 brake fluid.
DOT 5 brake fluid is silicone based. DOT 3 (standard) and
DOT 4 (heavy-duty) are glycol-based. It can be distinguished
from conventional brake fluids by its purple color (which
comes from a dye).
Silicone does not absorb moisture. DOT 5 brake fluid does
not become contaminated with moisture over time as
conventional DOT 3 and 4 brake fluids do. Silicone is also
chemically inert, nontoxic and won't damage paint like
conventional brake fluid. It also has a higher boiling
point.
Because of this, it is often marketed as a premium
"lifetime" brake fluid. It is often used to preserve brake
systems in antique vehicles and those that sit for long
periods of time between use.
DOT 5 silicone brake fluid is also very expensive (costing
four to five times as much as ordinary brake fluid), and it
won't mix with glyco- based brake fluid (creating concern
over sludging if all old fluid isn't removed when a system
is refilled with silicone).
Silicone also has slightly different physical properties and
compressibility, making it unsuitable for ABS systems
calibrated to work with DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid.
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