Dot 3 or Dot 4

 

I think dot3 and dot4 are interchangeable so its ok to mix em up. The thing you want to make
sure of is that it handles the temperature you will need for the brakes. Usually the higher the
better. Don't use dot5 for sure, I tried that and found it instantly boil after hard use of the
brakes which resulted in no brakes until it cooled back down. Kind of scary when running the
Cherhola Skyway back in 2012.

 

Dot 4 has a higher boiling point than Dot 3 fluid. It also absorbs less water than a Dot 3 fluid. Both fluids have a wet and dry boiling point. Dry being 100% new fluid and clean/new lines. A wet boiling point is older used fluid that has absorbed water into the braking system (rusted lines, cracked rubber lines).

Dot 4 can be used in a Dot 3 system but Dot 3 cannot be used in a Dot 4.

I prefer using Dot 4 in my '85, as well as my '97 TJ. A lot less brake fade when pushing them both on and off road.

 

never had the occasion for it to be an issue, but i never knew that.

 

I use dot3 ford brake fluid, part #pm1c. all or nascar uses it and I mean all. I work at a ford dealer so I get it cheap, it is great stuff

 

Ditto - use the Ford stuff in all my vehicles - has a great rep…


Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

I didn't know the Ford DOT3 had such a good reputation - I may use that in my car now! I've just used whatever I grab at the parts store in the 7's I've had to date.

 

Use the cheap stuff. DOT 3.

 

I've been using Dot4 ATE Superblue for years, but they quit selling it in the US.
One of the reasons I like it is because you can get the same ATE fluid in blue colored or gold. When you change the fluid you can easily tell if the old stuff is flushed.
Plus it's the best you can buy.
You can still find it on Amazon. The reason they stopped selling it after 15 years is...get ready..it's BLUE.
Here's a pic of both colors...Same exact formula and you can still get the gold stuff (type 200) in America.

 

I read in Carroll Smith's Engineer to Win that the Ford brake fluid was specially developed because elderly Lincoln drivers would rest their left foot on the brake pedal. Funny but probably untrue.

 

Im not to proud to admit I didn't know that but it worked. Thanks for the help.

 

You can also use 5.1. It is compatible with 3 and 4 but and not contain silicon like 5.