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MG MGF Technical - Recommended brake fluid

Does anybody know why Rover manual states "Use only AP New Premium DOT4 or Castrol Girling Universal DOT4 brake clutch fluid. DO NOT use any other fluid."

On the two occasions have bought brake fluid from Rover dealers the first time I was given Unipart DOT4 and the second time Shell DOT4.

In one DOT4 brake fluid not much the same as another?
Paul Robertson

Paul,

As far as I know, most DOT 4 or 5.1 fluids will state they are fully compatible. What is not compatible is DOT 5 Silicone fluid.

Paul
Paul

Paul,
Any dot 4 fluid is compatible, a matter of preference but get a branded make and you should have no problems. Dot 5 is usually silicone or racing type fluid and cannot and MUST NOT be mixed and not recommended for normal use.
Robert
R J Hemphill

http://www.apracing.com/car/brakefluid/index.htm

I am not aware of a compatabilty problem between 4 and 5.1 except that you will not obtain the "performace" benefit from mixing diff fluids. There is not much point in spending nearly £40 a litre for Castrol SRF then mixing with Halfords own brand.
Castrol Response DOT4 is fully compatible with DOT 3 DOT 4 and 5.1.


Paul
Paul

There is not a compatibility problem as such with dot 5.1 and dot 4 but it is still not advisable to mix. Dot 5.1 is basically a high performance dot 4 and thus has the same genes , ie absorbs water and burns paint,and two to three times the price, it does however have a higher boiling point which for track days could be of some benefit. dot 5 does not do these things but needs changing frequently and not really suitable for normal road use and requires a complete strip down and cleaning of the braking system if to be used.For normal use there is no need to spend all that extra cash on 5.1 when .4 is basically the same at a fraction of the price.
Robert
R J Hemphill

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/srf1.htm
rated at Dot 4

paul
Paul

I use Castrol 5.1

Works fine for me.
Bob Millar

This thread was discussed between 12/02/2004 and 16/02/2004

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