Good brand for DOT4 brake fluid

[kevindd992002]

I will need to replace the brake fluid for my 2018 Subaru XV. I'm looking for a DOT4 brake fluid and there are several brands in Lazada/Shopee. I'm a noob so I'm looking for suggestions. If I want the best, should I go with either ATE or Motul? They are a bit more expensive but if using them matters, then I'm all for it. If using these expensive brands do not matter, what are other alternatives?

[Egan101]

Any DOT4 brake fluid will do. If you want better braking, get better brake pads.


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[bxr monkey]

Locally puwede Petron HTP DOT4.

[StockEngine]

brake fluid doesn't need changing that much if you're not opening the fill port/cap

even if we live in a humid country that seal on the fill port prevents(somewhat) water to come in.

better to have the brake fluid changed during the brake pad replacement.

[Vodka]

brake fluid doesn't need changing that much if you're not opening the fill port/cap

even if we live in a humid country that seal on the fill port prevents(somewhat) water to come in.

better to have the brake fluid changed during the brake pad replacement.

i change brake fluid every 3yrs i.e. i finish the entire bottle by pumping fresh fluid through the lines

[Egan101]

You can buy a brake fluid tester in Lazada. Just dip in the fluid reservoir to check.


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[travajante]

I will need to replace the brake fluid for my 2018 Subaru XV. I'm looking for a DOT4 brake fluid and there are several brands in Lazada/Shopee. I'm a noob so I'm looking for suggestions. If I want the best, should I go with either ATE or Motul? They are a bit more expensive but if using them matters, then I'm all for it. If using these expensive brands do not matter, what are other alternatives?

ATE HIGH PERFORMANCE DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID 1L

[kevindd992002]

Ok, got it. If the tester says it needs to be replaced, do I let the service center do a drain and refill? How much fluid does it usually take to be in the optimal level for the 2018 Subaru XV (it doesn't say in the manual)? If the 1L isn't consumed, can the leftover be used after a few years as long as its cap is properly closed?

[StockEngine]

Ok, got it. If the tester says it needs to be replaced, do I let the service center do a drain and refill? How much fluid does it usually take to be in the optimal level for the 2018 Subaru XV (it doesn't say in the manual)? If the 1L isn't consumed, can the leftover be used after a few years as long as its cap is properly closed?

For brakes it's not called drain and fill. It's a pressurised system so drain and fill will introduce air in the system. To avoid this most shops have brake flush machines. No leftovers too.

[dr. d]

i just did some superficial reading on brake fluid grading.
interesting.

[Vodka]

Ok, got it. If the tester says it needs to be replaced, do I let the service center do a drain and refill? How much fluid does it usually take to be in the optimal level for the 2018 Subaru XV (it doesn't say in the manual)? If the 1L isn't consumed, can the leftover be used after a few years as long as its cap is properly closed?

well if you test only at the reservoir then you only get results from the fluid in the reservoir (which really doesn't get exposed to the elements)

the fluid inside the brakes at each wheel are going to be a lot more contaminated. water and stuff can get past rubber seals

so just replace every 2 to 3 yrs and you'll be fine

btw try to consume the whole bottle. i only use fluid from a new sealed bottle whenever i replace brake fluid

[12vdc]

I call it bleed and re-fill.

No special tools and talent needed, just loosen the bleeder valve, step on the brakes to let the old fluid out, close the bleeder nut then repeat procedure untill fresh fluid is visible. Do it on all four brake cylinders then re-fill reservoir before getting past the low level to avoid air coming in the lines.

Reservoir has a small breather hole and over time or when left to humid environ, water accumulates in the hygroscopic oil/brake fluid. And when it does that, since water is denser than oil it goes down to the lowest part of brake system causing corrosion and leaks/stucked up cylinders.

Replace brake/clutch fluids based on what is stated on user manual or depending on condition upon inspection during PMS. If cylinders moves barely/ stucked and leaks are visible then its a tell-tale sign of corrosion damaging the seals, cylinders need service/ needs flushing.

[kevindd992002]

Ok. So how much fluid exactly should I need to buy and bring to the service center when I have my car serviced?

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[Egan101]

Ok. So how much fluid exactly should I need to buy and bring to the service center when I have my car serviced?

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Just buy a liter. Puwede na yan.


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[kevindd992002]

Fusion R said the brake fluid of my car is still clean so I just said "ok, let's not change it muna". I forgot what the discussion was here and that the contamination is more on the brakes at each wheel. I should've known better and just let them proceed with the brake fluid change. They also told me that my car's front and back brake pads are still thick.

Why is it recommended to replace the brake fluid and brake pads at the same time?

[dr. d]

Why is it recommended to replace the brake fluid and brake pads at the same time?

my wild guess is,
brake pads replacement is, what, every 20-30K km? that's about within the wide range of recommended brake fluid replacement.
"besides, you're already almost set up for brake fluid replacement, when you replace the brake pads." kaunting maniobra na lang yan, for brake fluid replacement..
why delay the inevitable, and force yourself to come back another day for the brake fluid replacement?
but this is just me.

googling, gave somewhat confusing and contrary replies.

[StockEngine]

Brake pads need changing when it squeals. If I'm gonna have them replaced, a liter of dot4 isn't that expensive. They have the flushing equipment naman.

[Wh1stl3r]

I use a hygrometer to test the fluid. There are a lot of cheap ones in Lazada/Shopee. I noticed 2-2.5 years is about the time it takes to get to 4+% water.

[babkalakal]

I purchased this car show pa ata. di ko maalala magkano but i remember among DOT4s it was cheap and made in Japan to boot.

[kevindd992002]

For brakes it's not called drain and fill. It's a pressurised system so drain and fill will introduce air in the system. To avoid this most shops have brake flush machines. No leftovers too.

Do you know which shop uses brake flush machines? I asked Fusion R and Motor Image and they both do manual bleeding.

No leftovers because it absorbs moisture through time while in the bottle since the bottle is not hermetically sealed? Is this applicable for other oils (CVTF, engine, gear) too?

well if you test only at the reservoir then you only get results from the fluid in the reservoir (which really doesn't get exposed to the elements)

the fluid inside the brakes at each wheel are going to be a lot more contaminated. water and stuff can get past rubber seals

so just replace every 2 to 3 yrs and you'll be fine

btw try to consume the whole bottle. i only use fluid from a new sealed bottle whenever i replace brake fluid

Ahh, that makes sense. So those testers aren't really that useful at all? Do auto shops even use those? What do they use as basis in telling that the fluid needs changing already?

Brake pads need changing when it squeals. If I'm gonna have them replaced, a liter of dot4 isn't that expensive. They have the flushing equipment naman.

So even though the brake pads are still thick I still need to change them if they squeal? I hear occasional faint squeals only when braking while the road is wet/raining. I thought a brake system cleaning is the solution to that.

A liter of DOT4 isn't expensive but there's still labor involved as I'm not confident in doing it myself. I asked 2211 Works just now and they do it manually too for P800. Their rate is definitely more reasonable than Fusion R's (P1500).

my wild guess is,
brake pads replacement is, what, every 20-30K km? that's about within the wide range of recommended brake fluid replacement.
"besides, you're already almost set up for brake fluid replacement, when you replace the brake pads." kaunting maniobra na lang yan, for brake fluid replacement..
why delay the inevitable, and force yourself to come back another day for the brake fluid replacement?
but this is just me.

googling, gave somewhat confusing and contrary replies.

So brake pad replacement interval is also based on distance traveled? I also get conflicting answers from different people. Fusion R says the pads are still thick and do not need replacement yet.