DOT 3 brake fluid: Prestone MAX DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid is our highest grade formula, maximizing performance compared to the DOT standard. Prestone MAX is our best brake fluid to protect against overheating and brake fade. With a fluid life of 100,000 miles, our longest lasting fluid goes twice as many miles between replacements as regular Prestone DOT 3.
Prestone MAX has superior performance under severe braking conditions compared to regular Prestone DOT 3, which means even more peace of mind about the brake system. This synthetic fluid starts with our highest dry boiling point, providing our best protection against decreased performance due to water absorption.
Prestone MAX DOT 3 is safe to use in all DOT 3 braking systems, ABS, disc or drum, and can be mixed with any DOT 3 fluid. Mixing Prestone MAX with other fluids will lower performance mileage rating and boiling points, for best results replace completely with Prestone MAX DOT 3. It is recommended to use only the DOT fluid specified for your car. Using a different DOT product may affect the boiling point or replacement interval if the wrong fluid is used.
Product Features:
- 100,000 mile fluid life
- Prevent brake overheating and fading with our highest grade formula. Prevents corrosion of all metals within the brake system.*
- Superior protection under extreme braking conditions
- Long-life synthetic formula: 2 times longer than
- regular Prestone DOT 3 fluid with extended life of 50,000 miles, formulated to prevent corrosion of all metals within the brake system.
- High performance formula for extreme braking, providing a greater margin of safety due to its synthetic formula with extended life for high temperatures.
- Prevents overheating, brake fade and exceeds DOT 3 standard requirements.
- Protects against decreased performance due to water absorption. Prevents corrosion of all metals within the braking system.
- Available in 12 oz, 32 oz, and 1 gallon.
Applications
ExxonMobil recommends Mobil Brake Fluid DOT 3 for use in applications using disc, drum, and skid brake systems on vehicles that require DOT Level 3 performance. ExxonMobil use recommendations include:
Use only in your concentrated form in pre-sealed or well-sealed
container Always seal container immediately after use as liquid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere fairly quickly; this will significantly reduce the service life.
Never reuse drained brake fluid.
Brake fluid can affect vehicle paint, so remove spills immediately without rubbing.
Brake fluid should be drained from the vehicle every two years or 40,000 km (24,000 miles) and refilled.
See Owner’s & Operator’s Manual for details.
UNDERSTANDING THE LIFE OF BRAKE FLUID AND OTHER IMPORTANT FLUIDS
You’ve probably wondered about the various substances in your garage, specifically the life of brake fluid. How safe is it to use a can or bottle of liquid that has been sitting in the garage or basement? You’re right to think of this, as it’s not just brake fluid, but a number of other automotive fluids and products that have a definite shelf life once opened (or even sealed). Knowing the difference between what is acceptable to put in your car and what should be thrown away can make a big difference in how your vehicle performs on the road.
BRAKE FLUID AND MOISTURE
The shelf life of brake fluid is directly related to the amount of moisture it is exposed to after opening the bottle. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it attracts and absorbs water from the surrounding atmosphere. The more water it absorbs, the less effective it becomes when it gets into your vehicle’s braking system. With water in the mix, the boiling point of brake fluid can be lowered considerably, which, given the pressure it’s under during braking, translates to less effective stopping power and a spongy brake pedal.
OPEN VS. UNOPENED
When a bottle of brake fluid leaves the factory, it is sealed so that it does not come in contact with outside air which can also contain moisture. Most brake fluid manufacturers claim that a sealed bottle does not have a set expiration date. In a sense, the liquid does not break down over time and offers the same level of performance even after years on the shelf.
An open bottle is a different story. Even if you’ve only poured a little out of the bottle, you’ve introduced moisture into the equation and begun the chemical process of absorbing that liquid from the air. Most manufacturers recommend that any opened bottle of DOT brake fluid be used within 12 months or thrown away. Please note that a full year is the outer limit of what would be acceptable. A period of three months is more likely to offer a better safe limit in terms of keeping the boiling point near its original level.
POWER STEERING FLUID AND OIL
Engine oil follows a different pattern compared to the life of brake fluid. Although moisture is not really a problem for the oil, the shelf life of the additives packed inside the bottle has a definite impact on how long it can be stored before being thrown away.
In a stable environment, where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate dramatically or reach extremes of hot or cold, you can get about five years out of a bottle of motor oil. Check the expiration date, as more manufacturers have started adding this to each container. Power steering fluid is a similar story. Unopened, three to five years under normal temperatures is a safe window for use.
Keep your car’s brakes working optimally with the best brake fluids
Enhance your driving experience with the leading 2022 brake fluids that help your car’s brakes continue to work effectively and efficiently. The saying “prevention is better than cure” always rings true, especially in the case of our travels. Brakes are an essential component in all vehicles. And brake fluid is like your soul. Changing it every year or two will save you a lot of headache, and may even prevent an accident! Confused? Well, we’ve made this guide that will tell you all about the best brake fluids in 2022 and how to buy this essential hydraulic fluid for your car.
Brake fluid is a chemical solution that most modern vehicles use in their braking systems. These vehicles can range from cars and motorcycles to trucks and even trucks. You see, it would take a lot more to stop your vehicle than just your foot on the brake pedal if it weren’t for this fluid. But brake fluid can get dirty and aged over time, just like the oil in your car.
When it gets old and gross, a lot of problems start to arise. For example, your brakes may feel soft or your car may start to take longer to come to a complete stop. This can be quite annoying and even downright dangerous. Therefore, you should replace the brake fluid in your car or motorcycle regularly.
Buying Guide: Brake Fluids
There are several factors to consider before purchasing a new brake fluid for your car. Luckily, we did the research for you and put together this guide:
Breakdown of Technical Terms Related to Brake Fluids
First things first, let’s explain the meanings of some of the technical terms you’ll come across when shopping for brake fluids:
DOT Classifications
Will Come look through DOT classifications a lot when looking for brake fluids. A DOT rating is given to a brake fluid based on its wet and dry boiling points. These classifications must be taken into account as they determine whether or not a brake fluid meets the minimum required performance criteria. In general, the higher the DOT rating and boiling points, the better the life and performance of the fluid.
The four most common classifications are DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1 brake fluid. DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 are non-silicone based types of brake fluid. These three DOT-rated brake fluids are what most modern cars use. DOT 5, on the other hand, is silicone based and not commonly used in normal cars.
Life
Fluid life is another commonly used term in the world of brake fluids. As the name suggests, this number represents how long your brake fluid will last before it needs to be replaced. Fluid life is usually stated in miles, such as 40,000 miles or 50,000 miles.
Some brands may also tell you how many years you should use your brake fluid before replacing it, sort of like an expiration date. You will usually find these numbers on the label of the fluid container.
What to look for when buying brake fluids?
Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for brake fluid to help you get a great deal:
Compatibility
You should only use DOT-rated compatible brake fluid with your vehicle. This is because using brake fluid with an incompatible DOT classification can cause serious damage to your vehicle’s brake system.
It can even make your car’s brakes less effective. You can check the compatible DOT ratings for your car or motorcycle by consulting your manual. You can also check with your mechanic or local DMV guy.
Bottle Size
Next, you should also consider bottle size when purchasing brake fluid for your vehicle. It’s no fun having to ask for more afterward because you didn’t get enough the first time. So check your vehicle manual to determine how much brake fluid you’ll need, and get the recommended amount. You can also buy more if you want to have a few in your spare storage.
How do we choose the best brake fluids?
To make sure you get the best possible brake fluid for your vehicle, here are a few things we kept in mind when choosing our top picks:
Easy Storage
All of the brake fluids we choose are very easy to store. The bottles they come in have a compact shape and are easily stackable in a box. You just need to close the lid tightly and you’re done. Oh, by the way, while we’re on the subject of storage, always remember to store brake fluids in a dry place, as they absorb moisture very quickly.
We also made sure that the bottles we chose provided a spill-free pouring experience, thus minimizing the chances of a spill occurring. You can read product reviews to get a better idea of how easy it is to store your brake fluid.
High Boiling Points
A higher wet and dry boiling point means you get better fluid life and performance. That’s why the brake fluids we chose had boiling points higher than the minimum required by their DOT ratings. This ensures good quality and longer fluid life. You can usually find the boiling points of brake fluid on the label of the bottle or in the product description.
What to keep in mind when changing the brake fluid in your vehicle?
Although it’s fairly easy to change your vehicle’s brake fluid, there are still a few things to keep in mind to make the process smoother and hazard-free:
Reduce exposure to air
The less exposure to air your brake fluid has, the more time you will have. it will last you. Therefore, it is best to minimize this exposure by working quickly and placing the lid on the fluid container once you are done. Also, double check that the lid is securely closed before tossing the container into storage.
Avoid spills on the body of your vehicle
Brake fluids tend to be quite corrosive. That is why you should avoid spilling it on the body of your car or its engine. If a spill occurs, clean up the liquid quickly. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves when working with brake fluid to prevent exposure to your skin.
Frequently asked questions
What is it and what is it for?
Brake fluid, also known as hydraulic fluid, is an essential part of your brake system. It is used to convert the force into pressure when pressing the brake pedal. It is delivered through your car’s brake lines and works at extremely high temperatures and pressures to bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
What types of brake fluid are available?
There are 2 main types of brake fluid on the market:
Glycol-based brake fluids: DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1
— or —
Silicone-based brake fluids: DOT 5
Brake fluid is classified by the Department of of Transportation (DOT) using a number between 1 and 5.1. This DOT number indicates the boiling point of the fluid. The higher the DOT number, the better the quality of the hydraulic fluid and the greater the ability to withstand a high temperature and performance environment. Glycol-based brake fluids are most common in performance cars with anti-lock braking systems (ABS). Silicone-based brake fluids are typically used in cars with hydraulic brake systems and NOT ABS technology. This type of fluid is hydrophobic and will not absorb water.
What is the difference between DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
While both DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 brake fluid are glycol based, which means they are compatible with each other and can be easily mixed without damaging the brake system, they do have a key difference in their viscosity level. For brakes to perform reliably and consistently, brake fluid must maintain a constant viscosity over a wide range of temperatures, including extreme hot and cold. vehicles with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and traction or stability control.
This is because these systems often use micro valves and require rapid activation. DOT 4 fluids have a much higher viscosity limit of around 1800 mm2/s. The higher the value, the more difficult it is for the fluid to flow and if the value is high when the air temperature is low, the fluid may have a negative effect on ABS performance. Therefore, DOT 5.1 fluids are generally recommended for road and racing cars that use ABS.
How often should brake fluid be changed?
Most performance cars use glycol-based fluids that aggressively absorb moisture. This means that almost immediately, when the seal on the brake fluid bottle is broken, the product absorbs moisture from the air and then, when it’s in your system, from the rubber hoses and seals inside your car. This is why you should avoid opening the brake fluid reservoir and always seal fluid bottles tightly. This absorbed moisture can change the performance characteristics of the brake fluid.
For this reason, brake fluids often have very high boiling points (to combat this), but as moisture is absorbed, the boiling points drop. If brake fluid boils (and turns to gas), it will lose its ability to transmit power. This can partially or completely disable braking, compromising performance and most importantly safety! We suggest that you refer to the manufacturers’ recommended guidelines on how often to change your brake fluid.
Selecting the right brake fluid for your car.
To select the best brake fluid for your car, you must carefully consider the weight and performance of the car and the stress on the brake system against the cost and specifications of the brake fluid. CAM Auto’s range of brake fluids includes products tested and recommended for high performance cars, driving in demanding conditions to suit a variety of price points.
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