I'm getting ready to change the pads and lines on my STi and was wondering if anyone has some reccomendations as to what brake fluid to use. I don't drive it much, mostly on the track so I need something with a good boiling point. The manual lists a DOT 3 type fluid. Do I need to change to something else or are there any good boiling point DOT 3 fluids out there. Also if you know of anywhere to get some fluid, east-bay preferably, that would also help. Thanks, Brian

 

motul or ate super blue, i think gruppe-s had some when I was there this weekend? Could be wrong tho...call around.

 

I highly recommend motul 600... Subydude carries it and so do many motorcycle shops.

lndbrusr

 

i use ATE Super Blue, its half the cost of Motul but doesnt seem to get wet as fast.

 

how so? Motul has a higher boiling point, both wet and dry than ATE. I'm not saying ATE is not a good brake fluid....just wondering.

STi4WRC: You will want to use a DOT 4 fluid for the track....it will hold up MUCH better than any DOT 3 fluid.....and BOTH the Motul RBF 600 AND the ATE Super Blue are both excellent choices....ATE is a bit easier to find than Motul though. I am running the Motul in my car and it is a really stable brake fluid....however, you will be happy with either choice.

-Ted

Edit: do a search for BRAKE FLUID and you will get a mass of information....there have been several threads discussing this subject.....I know because I started one of them just like this, when I was trying to decide what to use.

 

side note, does brake fluid have a shelf life? I've had a few bottles of motul in my garage for about 3 years.....should it still be ok?

 

ted- i know some ppl who use motul and always have problems with boiling/fad. its a good fluid if you take the time to bleed your brakes for every track day. ive run about 12 track days and maybe bleed my brakes 1 time since the first flush.

 

Castrol LMA. It's good inexpensive stuff. It's also available at most autoparts stores. I've run it for years and have never had a problem. I also bleed my brakes every six months for good measure.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. One more dumb question. What is the difference between DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid? Are they both compatable with the stock system? I heard somewhere about synthetic brake fluid?

 

Just use a good DOT 3 and 4 compatable fluid like Castrol LMA or Motul. Find the fluid with the highest Wet and Dry boiling points in your price range and use that one. Just make sure to stay away from DOT 5. DOT 5 fluid is in no way compatable with DOT 3 and 4 Fluid.

Bill

 

Castrol GTLMA is indeed good, cheap DOT 4 fluid, with decent boiling points.

If you're trying to set up your car for the track though, I'd go with either the aforementioned Motul or ATE (Super Blue or the Yellow stuff that's to the same spec).

Personally I don't like the Super Blue because the fluid has so much blue dye in it, it takes a while to bleed it to yellow fluid. ATE makes yellow fluid to the same specs though.

 

Personally I like Castrol because I can buy it by the gallon pretty cheap at the local NAPA and use the whole thing when I bleed my brakes. That way, I know I've flushed most all of the old fluid from the lines. That said, for a dedicated track setup, I'd go with Motul. You'll be glad for the higher boiling point if you really get the brakes nice and hot.

Bill

 

Oh yeah nice and hot brakes. I think I'm going looking for the Motul in the morning. Thanks again for the suggestions.