I'm the 'new kid on the block', hopefully the masters will chime in.
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Brake fluid recommendation ?
- Thread starter Roma_500E
- Start date
The MB DOT4 stuff is quite fine to use. The spec for it may not be as good as the ATE TYP 200 and other expensive/esoteric fluids that people are using.
That said, you can’t go wrong with the MB fluid. @captruff sold me a lifetime supply in a full case of the MB stuff, so that’s what I have been using.
MB fluid is good stuff. I wish they published full specs on it, but they only list the wet boil point (mentioned earlier in this thread). The wet boil point is just below the Ate 200. Either would be fine for light track use and overkill for street use.
Could someone who knows set the record straight? Our cars call for DOT 4 fluid. I see on Amazon and other sites DOT 4, DOT 4 Plus, DOT 4 LV, and fluids that cover DOT 3, 4, 5.1 at the same time.
Do they all work equally well or is any particular kind/s is more correct/proper?
Do they all work equally well or is any particular kind/s is more correct/proper?
MB fluid is good stuff. I wish they published full specs on it, but they only list the wet boil point (mentioned earlier in this thread). The wet boil point is just below the Ate 200. Either would be fine for light track use and overkill for street use.
I still have 9 liters of factory Mercedes-Benz brake fluid available for $120.00 delivered. Payment via Paypal.
Thanks,
Jeff
DOT 3 spec is not as good as DOT 4, but DOT 4 can (and probably should) be used in all cases where DOT 3 is specified. For DOT 4 spec cars, any DOT 4 fluid will work just fine. It's a spec, so anything listed as meeting that spec is just fine. Some fluids EXCEED the spec, such as ATE Typ 200 or perhaps probably even the MB fluid.
I would not hesitate to use ANY DOT 4 fluid in my car, but I have only tended to use the ATE Blue/Typ 200 and MB fluid, of which @captruff has sold me one case-plus of........
I would not hesitate to use ANY DOT 4 fluid in my car, but I have only tended to use the ATE Blue/Typ 200 and MB fluid, of which @captruff has sold me one case-plus of........
Based on the recommendations on the forum, I went with the ATE type 200. No issues at all.
Attachments
There'll be a next time.I was going to get Pentosin from local auto shop but decided to stay home and ordered ATE200 for home delivery. Ordered 2L, hopefully, only use one and one for next time... (if there is one)
Why?
It absorbs moisture.
I guess I'll just discard what I have left in my can
Because brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning that it attracts water and moisture from the air. And can do this even if the container has been opened and "sealed" back up with the cap. Brake fluid that has moisture content has a lower boiling point, and loses its effectiveness the more moisture it contains. It's the same reason why (in a sealed brake system) that MB recommends changing brake fluid every two years.
If you don't anticipate using it within about two months after you open it, I would discard it.
I almost bought Bosch yesterday coz of low price of $13/liter but saw the specs and it is much lower than ATE. So, purchased ate instead
Has anyone noticed that MB 331.0 brake fluid in the metal cans seems to be REALLY CHEAP on ebay, from many different vendors? Sure the specs for wet boiling point are just a tad off of ATE typ200, but hell, it is good fluid and I plan to use it on all my cars…?
I thought the shelf life of brake fluid is 5 years? The MB cans have a white date stamp for date of manufacture and best-by day 5 yrs subsequent ….(Although realistically I do not know if it actually lasts much longer in practice when packaged in metal (not plastic) containers and stored indoors…)
I've never seen an expiration date for brake fluid - this is news to me. In a sealed container, I wouldn't worry about using it beyond the BBD.
I have two types of brake fluid on hand ATM.
ATE "Blue" and some cheap STP Dot 3. The ATE is dated, while the STP in a plastic bottle is not.
The interwebs is filled with mixed signals on the shelf life of brake fluid. IMO, a sealed metal tin is going to afford a much longer life than plastic.
ATE "Blue" and some cheap STP Dot 3. The ATE is dated, while the STP in a plastic bottle is not.
The interwebs is filled with mixed signals on the shelf life of brake fluid. IMO, a sealed metal tin is going to afford a much longer life than plastic.
You are still able to purchase ATE Blue in the USA? May I ask - where do you get it?
NOS.
I used to buy Blue and Gold by the case.
