Normally ~$20 but currently half price, this is the cheapest I could find both in-store and online, and it includes free 1-2 day delivery with eBay Plus!
I've mainly used Penrite (oil, coolant, etc.) fluids in my cars for many years and never had any issues.
I reckon in a pinch you could use it, like you’re out in the bush and your blinkers have stopped working due to low fluid type scenario. I can imagine it would be a lot of explaining when you take the car for the next serice.
If you’re methodical, you really should do a couple of flushes first, as brake fluid is hygroscopic..
But then again, blinker fluid is what you should be using.
Castrol, Bosch, Nulon etc all have their 500ml Dot 4 on Amazon for same price.
But the Penrite at this price is rare. If Penrite is your only go-to brand, this is a good price. Plus vote.
DOT4 is is DOT4 in my op though.
A higher boiling point generally comes with a higher rate of moisture absorption. Unless you're track racing and change the fluid often the lower boiling point fluid is better. That's the reason most Toyota's still use DOT 3.
But…you can't just choose what DOT level you go with! Your car brake system is designed for one.
It literally says on the front of the bottle that this is suitable where DOT 3, DOT 4 and SUPER DOT 4 are specified.
?
You can absolutely choose - DOT3, DOT4, DOT5.1 are all interchangeable.
Jimbo I'm not sure that's correct. I thought DOT4 is higher performing in both areas, that is higher boiling point and LESS hydroscopic (will absorb moisture less).
Happy to stand corrected, but I thought DOT4 was better than 3 in all respects (except price).
Confirming Jimbo is right - DOT3's moisture absorption is slower. If it didn't have this advantage, it probably wouldn't be on the shelves; as DOT4/SuperDOT4/DOT4.1 are backwards compatible.
Hygroscopic**
Got 2L of Castrol React Performance DOT 4 recently from Autobarn on Ebay for around $37, performs great so far.
Castrol react is awesome.
Castrol React is about the same specs as Penrite Super DOT 4 for wet and dry boiling points.
Penrite Super DOT4 ERBP wet 183°C, dry 275°C.
Castrol React Perf DOT4 ERBP wet 180°C, dry 260°C minimum.
Can't go wrong with either for high performance braking. If you need more than these then Castrol React SRF is ERBP wet 270°C, 320°C dry. SRF is pricey.
I thought about trying the SRF variant, however I don't drive hard enough or for long enough to boil the standard performance 4+ fluid, Plus with the use of ceramic pads the heat generation is lower from daily driving to intermediate twisties.
Typically only track use in a heavy car would require SRF. For the street it is a waste of money.
Yeah even on the occasional track night I haven't gotten to the point of needing it yet.
if you do occasional track nights i recommend SRF tbh.
I have SRF on mine, good stuff. very little brake fade when combined with braided lines.
@dukeGR4: What brake pads are you using? I am planning on installing braided lines at some point to remove that spongy peddle feel
@Tippy35075: i'm using OEM, they're good but lots of brake dust.
if you've experienced spongy pedal feel, most likely you've cooked the fluids. And if you don't replace it, it will get progressively worse from that point.
i might need brake ducts to unlock additional cooling
@dukeGR4: I remember the dust from oem pads, I recently changed the fluid as it was showing its age, I only experience the slight sensation of spongy when I stab the brakes as I'm using a ceramic brake pad which is less grabby, I plan on swapping a DBA Xtreme pad next time I go on track.
"A higher boiling point generally comes with a higher rate of moisture absorption" - JIMBO
This is true which means if you're lazy and do as little maintenance as possible, then you will get more life from DOT 3 and then DOT 4 or 5.1. Don't go there with DOT 5 as it's not for road cars. If however you want the best possible performance then go 5.1, 4, 3 in that order but you MUST change the fluid regularly.
Personally, before changing brake pads, I always push back the caliper pistons and remove all the fluid from the fluid reservoir as that's the only place water will get in realistically unless you have bigger issues and replace with fresh DOT 4. I've got a one of those fluid testers and found that the fluid at the caliper degrades very little over time, it's the stuff in reservoir that has a cap with a vent in it that is exposed to air.
In reality, I change the fluid every couple of pad changes via simple bleeding etc.
Good advice, many people neglect to change the brake fluid regularly. Water can get into brake systems past caliper seals in the right circumstances, but again regular fluid changes will mitigate this before it is an issue. A correction - the fluid in the brake master cylinder reservoir is not in contact with air. There is an air tight "bladder' under the cap which keeps the air out. This bladder gets sucked into the reservoir to displace the fluid volume as brake pads wear. The hole in the reservoir cap allows the rubber bladder to move into the reservoir. Every time the cap is opened, a fresh shot of "wet" air goes into the reservoir. What ever water is in that bit of air then gets absorbed by the fluid. BTW this Penrite super DOT 4 is worth it for high brake temperatures like on track cars, but normal around town driving DOT 3 or 4 is usually sufficient. Thanks OP, was about to buy 4 bottles for the track car, but noticed that the 4L bottle is only $60 in store. Better value for the 4L.
Hmm my car says DOT-3 or DOT-4 but I used this one, but as long as I get it checked every service, replaced every two years or 40K kms according to my car manual I should be fine?
Yes it's more than fine. I replaced mine once every 5 years and Im an enthusiastic driver
Yes it's more than fine. I replaced mine once every 5 years and Im an enthusiastic driver
That is actually crazy work tho, especially as an enthusiast. i wouldn't risk it if i were you.
Dude it's perfectly fine, it was actually 7 years till I changed the fluid.
Disc are warped af, pads still semi decent. Changed fluid came out black. Even though the fluid is fresh it's still slightly blue was too lazy to flash it completely.
Point is, if you change your fluid every 4-5 years you should be fine. Car stays outside as well
Dude it's perfectly fine
yea it's fine if you want your brake fluids to boil slightly above room temperature.
no enthusiast will willingly do this to themself, unless they bloody hate their own car and their own safety
![[eBay Plus] Penrite Super DOT 4 Brake Fluid 500ml $9.99 Delivered @ Autobarn eBay](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/47/909447.jpg?h=dcd0b2e1)
Does this work for blinkers