What type of brake fluid?

[Sam_100]

Hi all,

After a few years of living with brake shudder in the VX, I finally replaced the discs and pads this afternoon. Prior to starting work I removed some brake fluid from the reservior to prevent any spillage when pushing the caliper piston back in.

My problem is that the reservoir is now low on fluid and I need to top it up. Question is what is a suitable fluid to use. I have purchased a Dot 4 brake fluid but don't know whether it is compatible with what's in the Commodore. Holden specs say you should use a HN1796. Can anyone help?

 

[veclubby]

dot 4 will be fine

 

[RVN 355]

Go to repco,autobarn or so forth there is a gm specification emblem on the break fluids man,Go A Valvoline Brand one dot 4 will be fine mate if ya got fluid in there atm go dot 3.if ya gonna bleed the system and removed the lot go dot 4...

Performance Super Dot 4 Brake Fluid

Valvoline performance Super DOT 4 is a low moisture absorbing brake fluid designed for all cars, trucks and vehicles fitted with disc or drum braking systems.

Meet all vehicle manufacturer requirements for DOT 4 and SUPER DOT 4 hydraulic brake fuids and is suitable for brakes operating under extreme and heavy-duty conditions. Perfect for use in vehicles fitted with hydraulic clutch or ABS systems where the use of a DOT 4 or SUPER DOT 4 is specified.

Conforms to SAE specifications J1703, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS No.116, DOT 4 and Australian Standards AS/NZS 1960.1.95 Grade 3 and is compatible with all non-petroleum (Polyglycol) type brake fluids. Also meets Ford ESZ-M6C55A and General Motors HN1796.

Heavy Duty Super Dot 3 Brake Fluid

Valvoline HEAVY DUTY SUPER DOT 3 BRAKE FLUID can be used in any vehicle where the manufacturer recommends using DOT 3 brake fluid, including ABS systems where DOT 3 is specified.


DO NOT USE WHERE A DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID IS SPECIFIED OR MIX WITH OTHER BRAKE FLUID.

 

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

It depends on what is in there already, if it is a dot 3, the dot 4 will not mix with it. Dot 4 is specified for high temperature applications, most standard street brake fluid is dot 3.

 

[gslrallysport]

Just get what ever is the cheapest dot 4... It *literally* all comes from the same factory in Europe. Same factory that makes some of Dulux's premium paints... oddly enough.

SAE specifications J1703

^ And that's why. Its a specification, not a standard, meaning that there's only one place that can make it.

 

[Nikki johnston]

Even though this post is old, thought i'd still comment.
I have a 2001 Vx commodore, which i had at mechanics today to get a brake fluid flush (recommended to do every 2 years).
I would advise for you to get brake fluid flushed as you shouldn't mix different brake fluids (advised by mechanic).
Mechanics used ×2 500ml bottles.

 

[vr304]

Even though this post is old, thought i'd still comment.
I have a 2001 Vx commodore, which i had at mechanics today to get a brake fluid flush (recommended to do every 2 years).
I would advise for you to get brake fluid flushed as you shouldn't mix different brake fluids (advised by mechanic).
Mechanics used ×2 500ml bottles.

Yip agree and it’s easy enough to do yourself with those cheap one man brake bleeder kits

 

[Mitchellw1995]

It depends on what is in there already, if it is a dot 3, the dot 4 will not mix with it. Dot 4 is specified for high temperature applications, most standard street brake fluid is dot 3.

Actually youre wrong. Dot 3 and 4 can be mixed and dot3 has a boiling point of 270°C and dot4 has a boiling point of 280-290°C so not much difference and they're not high performance dot5 is.

 

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Actually youre wrong. Dot 3 and 4 can be mixed and dot3 has a boiling point of 270°C and dot4 has a boiling point of 280-290°C so not much difference and they're not high performance dot5 is.

Probably got confused with dot 4 and dot 5 then. Thanks for the correction.

 

[losh1971]

There are two types of Dot 4 I have an idea that one of the two types is not supposed to be mixed with other fluids. Dot 5 can mix with Dot 3 & 4. But there are some other types like Dot 5 silicone fluid and Dot 6 that can not be mixed. It tends to be your racing brake fluids that can not be mixed.