Dot 5.1 brake fluid
Turbo Mini Forums

Regardless of the brand is the "must have" type for hi performance?

Also what temp does that deal with over let's say dot 4?

JF.

its boiling point is about 11 degrees Celcius higher than DOT4. which is around 180 degrees

Someone mentioned about problems with synthetic based brake fluids on another post the other day. I've never really considered that until now.

Surely if you don't mix them you sould be fine?

never even thought to look to be honest with brake fluid. I know engine oil you don't mix them.

Dot 3, 4 and 5.1 are all "generally" mixable as they are all glycol based.

It's the Dot 5 (which is silicone) that isn't....

Someone screwed up the numbering system...

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

AP Racing Dot 5.1 Brake Fluid


AP Racing Formula DOT 5.1 Road/Competition Brake & Clutch Fluid has a ‘Typical’ New Dry Boiling Point - 275°C (527°F), ‘Wet’ E.R. (Equilibrium Reflux) Boiling Point - 184°C (363°F)

AP Racing Formula DOT 5.1 is a premium specification Brake and Clutch Fluid which conforms to and exceeds the current international specifications U.S. FMVSS No 116, DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1, S.A.E. J1703, SAE J1704 and ISO4925.

It is non silicone based and has superior -40°C (-40°F) viscosity makes it suitable for vehicles operating in cold climates and will mix safely with other DOT 5.1 fluids along with DOT 3 and DOT 4 Fluids conforming to the above specifications.

Sound about right?

Ripped off of a website obviously..

JF.

good info, cheers. Got to fit wheel cylinder on the van at some point.

Edit: Could be a good thing to look at, especially after your caliper/disc video. Its normally the kind of thing people overlook.

Edited by Jason G on 15th Jan, 2009.

But the weird thing is the really good AP Racing PRF 660 fluid is only dot 4. Its got higher wet and dry boiling point.

Yes, it is all a bit odd with this info...

Castrol SRF seams to be very good at a price.

It is just you can get 5.1 from £4 a litre with a wet BP of 185... Should be enough for my metro surely!

JF.

bit o/t but i saw some rather sweet 2 piece bleed nipples at the motor show, with a 1 way valve in for single handed bleeding, got a pic somewhere...

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

theyre a brand new product from stoptech, and not available in the shops yet, if you want some Ive got the guys contact details

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

What is brake fluid? Is it a type of oil or something? Not something people really talk about.
I know the Citroen system, sunflower oil can be used in extreme emergencies.

If its for your track car i'd get a good branded 5.1. Bleed your brakes often and i'd say you'd be fine.

Only really had problems with fluids with heavy stuff like gt's or higher end single seaters.

Will do Mr Mirage, I generally change the fluid once a season unless something drastic happens.

I have used 5.1 of the brand slips my mind.

Just shopping about and not trying to chuck my cash away on a "brand"

JF.

How often do you bleed them? I'd do this a bit more often. Some circuit stuff gets bled up at least once a day. Real pain in the arse!! lol

when i said branded, i meant like a halfords or a bp. wouldn't use super cheapo stuff, its only a couple of pounds more for something better. got to admit i've used loads of halfords now i come to think about it.

Edited by Mirage on 15th Jan, 2009.

No I bleed them pre race everytime, but change the fluid just once a year. Never had a brake problem except at Lyden Hill that is very hard on the brakes where I used a lesser quality Fluid.

sounds spot on prep to me fella.

Bit ot. But once had a rear caliper seize on on the back of old f1. Pratt driver kept his foot down to bring it round to the pits. Came in, burst into flames, marshal put powder extinguisher over it. It had been so hot it had started to melt the aluminium piston on the edge!!! The powder was like ceramic coating! lol

Guys.

My cars ready for brake fluid now but im unsure to which fluid to get, dot 5 was preferred as it wont eat my paint.

I know you cant mix dot 5 with the rest (dot 3, 4 and 5.1). But can you use dot 5 in the yellow band type master cylinders or does it bugger the seals?

Cheers,

Ben.

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Why would you want to use DOT5?

Buy some decent 5.1 at Halfords and you'll be off.

I've used some fancy fluid from Motul on my Supermoto. Expensive, but I could really feel the difference. Supermoto is VERY hard on brakes though. On a road car there is no use.

Another thing to consider - although modern seals are compatible with both silicone and glycol, they do absorb the fluid to a certain extent.

Therefore it is good practice to replace all the seals if you are changing from one fluid type to the other.

Otherwise the seals may degrade quicker than expected.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

AlexF

Edited by Ben. on 5th Oct, 2009.

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Yes, it does eat paint, but it also works.

5.0 is shite - simple as!

Don't spill the other stuff on paint and its fine LOL

AlexF