DOT 4 brake fluid: Valvoline Brake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4 is a high performance non-mineral brake fluid. The lubricant is based on glycol ethers and is best suited for hydraulic brake systems. This particular fluid is characterized by a high boiling point, which means that it is safe for all materials within the brake system. Its intelligent formula also allows it to provide the highest levels of security during the trip.
Application
Valvoline Brake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4 is formulated for use with all disc and drum brake systems, as well as anti-skid (ABS) applications. As such, it is suitable for passenger cars, trucks and other vehicles that require a DOT 4 performance level, regardless of typical driving conditions.
Benefits
Brake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4 is a high quality brake fluid that offers advanced performance and system protection. More precisely, its benefits include:
Excellent viscosity-temperature properties in a very high and low temperature range
Stable viscosity over a long period
Excellent performance under various driving conditions
Water absorption properties that lower the boiling point of the fluid, thereby that maximizes the performance of the vehicle’s brakes.
Operating Instructions
Brake and clutch fluids, in general, should be checked, drained and refilled every two years or every 40,000 kilometers to optimize brake performance and protect system components.
Valvoline Brake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4 should be used in its concentrated form. After use, it is important to seal the container to prevent the fluid from absorbing moisture from the environment, which can reduce its useful life. If you spill it on any other part of the vehicle, remove it immediately without rubbing to avoid damaging the paint.
Brake & Clutch Liquid DOT 4 can be used in combination with other brake fluids. However, it is important to mix them only with borate ester or glycol based brake fluids, due to similar specifications.
What is the difference between DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 are glycol-based brake fluids and are widely used in the automotive and bicycle industries. They are controlled by standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT), hence the name.
The main difference between these two brake fluids is in their boiling points. Part of the standards that DOT fluid manufacturers must meet are minimum dry and wet boiling points. These are the minimum temperatures your brake fluid must operate at before the brake fluid starts to boil, which can lead to complete brake failure.
Remember, these are only the minimum standards. Brake fluid manufacturers can and often do improve these numbers, and it is possible to find DOT 4 brake fluid with a higher boiling point than some DOT 5.1 fluids on the market.
Since DOT 4 and 5.1 are glycol-based brake fluids, they are compatible with each other, which means they can be easily mixed without damaging the brake system. It is important to never confuse DOT 5.1 (glycol based) with DOT 5 which is silicone based and should never be mixed with any other DOT fluid.
Here you can see that the silicone based DOT 5 is the odd one out and is not compatible with any other DOT brake fluid. When mixing DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 brake fluids, assuming it’s fresh fluid, the worst that can happen is a drop in the boiling point of all the fluid.
Some brake manufacturers, such as Hayes and Formula, pre-fill their brakes with DOT 4 brake fluid from the factory. Others, including Avid and Hope, choose to use DOT 5.1 on their brakes. Many riders with DOT 4 in their brakes will choose to bleed with DOT 5.1 to benefit from the higher boiling point and improved heat resistance.
DOT 4 Brake Fluid: Efficient Performance Automotive Brake Fluid
DOT 4 Brake Fluid is an efficient performance, non-petroleum automotive brake fluid designed for use in conventional hydraulic brake and clutch systems, where fluids are recommended. DOT 4.
Brake Fluid DOT 4 is a complex blend of polyglycol ethers, glycol ether borate esters, and polyglycols with additional corrosion and oxidation inhibitors.
Customer Benefits
- Higher boiling point (260°C) than other DOT 4 brake fluids, and in-service boiling point retention helps prevent high-temperature vapor formation, maintaining braking performance longer longer than DOT 3 products
- Contributes an additional safety margin against vapor lock when compared to lower specification fluids
- Buffered formulation maintains pH level in the alkaline range, helping to protect steel components and cast iron
- Inhibitors contribute to corrosion protection of a wide variety of metals, including aluminum, brass, copper, zinc, and tin
- Seal swelling and lubricity characteristics help prevent fluid leakage and reduce component wear
- Thermal and oxidation stability helps resist fluid degradation, maintaining key performance characteristics throughout its useful life. fluid il
- Suitable for a wide range of vehicle types, reducing inventories
Applications
DOT 4 brake fluid meets recognized standards for clutch and brake fluids as required by major motor vehicle manufacturers manufacturers
- All systems hydraulically operated motor vehicle braking systems (drum and disc types) for which a DOT 4, SAE J1704, or ISO 4925 Class 4 fluid is specified
- Service replacement or fill of braking systems that require DOT 3, SAE J1703, or ISO 4925 Class 3 fluids
- Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems (ABS)
- Hydraulic clutch systems requiring conventional fluids
- Passenger cars, commercial trucking, off-road vehicles, farm tractors, and motorcycles DOT 4 brake fluid is compatible with other brands DOT 4/DOT 3 Brake Fluid. DOT 4 Brake
Fluid should not be used in systems designed for low fluids. mineral oil (LHM), for example, certain Citroën models, or where DOT 5 silicone fluids are recommended.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CALTEX DOT 4 BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID DOT 4
brake and clutch fluid is a High performance petroleum free automotive brake system for conventional hydraulic brake and clutch systems in cars, vans and motorcycles. Brake fluid retains a higher boiling point, minimizes vapor formation at high temperatures, and maintains braking performance for longer periods of time compared to its DOT 3 type predecessor.
Designed to prevent corrosion, oxidation, and control Seal swelling, Caltex Brake and Clutch Fluid DOT 4 combines advanced formulation technologies that help retain the key performance of vehicles’ brake systems over the long term.
Every client needs to cover the essentials with the maximum performance in the hydraulic brake and clutch systems of vehicles. For example, having a good responsive brake system under high boiling points ensures that brake pedal travel is used to activate the brakes instead of compressing the fluid is one of the added benefits of DOT 4.
Another benefit would be It protects metal surfaces from acid oxidation by keeping the fluid pH in the alkaline range and minimizing leakage through seal shrinkage caused by excessive swelling or inadequate lubrication of moving parts.
Under no circumstances should Caltex Brake and Clutch Fluid DOT 4 be mixed with any petroleum products such as motor oil or hydraulic fluid. Using mineral oil-contaminated brake fluid damages brake system seals, which are specifically designed to be compatible with non-petroleum brake fluids, causing brake fluid leaks and compromising brake system performance .
Caltex DOT 4 Brake and Clutch Fluid is compatible with other brands of DOT 4/DOT 3 brake fluid and can be used as a replacement or service fill where DOT 4 or DOT 3 brake fluid is recommended, unless the OEM specifically recommends otherwise. use of DOT 4 fluids.
Is it possible to mix DOT 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid in your car?
Yes. Some technicians say no and have good chemical explanations. But I have a proven track record of over 25 years with this stock.
I did it a lot on purpose. But I always got better when I mixed. And you should too! To really understand my answers to your question, it’s important to know if you have DOT 3 in your system now, if it is the recommended original fluid, and if you want to supplement or replace it with DOT 4. This would be an upgrade. If it is the other way around, it would reduce the safe high temperature range of DOT 4.
Because the main difference between DOT 3 and DOT 4 is heat resistance. called boiling point.
DOT 4, can safely handle 311 F wet, 500 F dry. DOT 3, 284F wet, 470F dry. And I think DOT 4 can safely handle more pressure. About the boiling point numbers you can already draw your own conclusion. If you add 4 to 3, you raise the temperature from the boiling point. But if you add DOT 3 to DOT 4, you lower the peak boiling point temperature and reduce the overall quality of the DOT 4 brake fluid.
But if you must add DOT 3 to DOT 4 and nothing else is available… in a situation emergency will work, as long as you know the difference. It’s your decision ! You can still drive. It will still act normal. You just lowered the reserve into the boiling point temperature range. It is an important safety factor when driving at high speed, with a load and in the mountains. And how many emergency braking maneuvers can you perform safely, in a short time and without overheating the brake fluid.
If you find this post about DOT 4 brake fluid helpful to you and you want to know more about car fluid knowledge, please check more on our website Auto Oil And Fluid. Thank you for your interest!